What’s in yourCityRuralWellwater?
It’s no secret that water is constantly on the move.
First traveling through soil, then city filtration facilities, next making its way through miles of pipelines and finally into your home.
On this journey, it’s easy for contaminants to be introduced back into already-treated water: from corrosion, leaks, or breaks in aging infrastructure.
There are many benefits of soft water.
Better Dishwasher Performance
- Up to 70% savings in detergent usage
- More Effective at soil removal
- 6 times more effective at reducing spotting
Brighter Clothes, Less Laundry Detergent
- Stain removal performance improves at lower temperatures, which means less energy use and lower bills.
- Uses 60% less detergent for better stain removal
Improved Water Heater Efficiency
- Hard water can decrease efficiency by up to 48%
- Soft water saves 40-57% on operating costs
- Helps maintain efficiency throughout the rated lifespan of the water heater
Longer-Lasting Showerheads and Fixtures
- Maintains flow capacity and faucet finish for longer
- Hard water tested to reduce flow rate by 75% in less than 18 months
City-Supplied Water is almost always hard water
Common problems with city water
Most municipalities don’t soften water in a central location before providing it to your home. This un-softened water, or hard water, can cause a buildup of minerals, also known as “scale”. Scale can harm the efficiency and lifetime of your plumbing, appliances, and fixtures.
Even if your municipality is using surface water, reservoirs or lake water, you may need a softener to help reduce the buildup of minerals in your home.
What effect does hard water have?
- leaves mineral deposits and stains on dishes
- fades and wears clothes prematurely, leaving them dull and scratchy
- dries out skin and hair
- leaves mineral (calcium, magnesium and carbonate) deposits on fixture and surfaces that come in contact with water
The Water Shop can test and verify if you need a softener to reduce or remove extra minerals from your water supply.
Well water characteristics
Well water is basically water in its natural state, and so can be affected by a huge variety of issues, depending on location, well depth, local geology, soil characteristics, etc.
Some common issues are:
- hardness
- high iron content (rust)
- bad odor (sulfur smell – rotten eggs)
- taste
- color
- high solids content
- presence of bacteria, lead, cysts, radon, arsenic, nitrates, metals and other health-affecting materials
Hygienic testing needs to be done every few years, and even more often on problem water sources with a history of issues.
Rural water characteristics
Rural water is treated and supplied similarly to city water, except that it is pumped greater distances through miles upon miles of pipes. This means that it is generally injected with even greater amounts of chlorine chemical at the treatment plant than city water. The extra chlorine can be removed, and water quality refined.
Additional Resources
Take advantage of our water analysis services to find out exactly what’s in your water.
