Soft Water: Soft water is simply the process in which minerals like calcium and magnesium are removed through ion exchange. The hardness minerals are exchanged for sodium or potassium chloride. If sodium chloride is used as the regenerant, there will be approximately 110 mgs of sodium present in 1 gallon of water. For comparison, a slice of bread ranges between 100-150mgs of sodium. Additionally, a water softener also has the capability to remove some iron, dirt, and sediment to 50 microns. You could refer to a soft water system as a “filter” since it is removing the minerals, but the term filtration or filter is typically used for the removal of specific contaminants unrelated to hard water or minerals. Typical water filters use an adsorption process to eliminate the contaminant being removed. There are many benefits to having mineral free water. Soaps, detergents, and other cleaners perform better and more effectively with soft water. Scaling and hard water build-up on appliances, fixtures, and hard surfaces are significantly reduced when water is soft. In areas where the water is extremely hard this can be a substantial benefit to the home, and occupants living there. When soap mixes with water, the calcium and magnesium combine to make a curd. The amount of curd will depend upon how hard the water is. The minerals in the water need to be neutralized with more soap to be able to clean effectively. The elimination of hard minerals from the water allows for easier cleaning throughout the home, less spotting on dishes, decreased scale on fixtures, and reduces soap residue. A whole house water filter will not “soften” your water. An easy way to determine if the system you are considering will provide soft water is simple. If it does not use salt as a regenerant, the minerals in the water will not be removed. Don’t fall victim to the no salt system marketing that is popular today. Water treatment technology is supported by chemistry, not conjecture, it’s just that simple!

Water Filtration: If your key objective is to remove chemicals from your water like chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, smells and odors. A carbon-based water filtration system is a good place to start. Other contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, and nitrates can also be addressed with other filtration medias. Water filtration has a wide variety of options of where it can be used within the home. It can be used strictly for drinking water in the kitchen, or for the entire household plumbing. If you are concerned primarily with drinking water, a single or dual filter system can be installed under sink to provide reasonably good quality drinking water to the cold supply on the faucet. Another option is to have the benefits of filtration throughout the entire home water source. Chlorine can be quite undesirable as it has detrimental effects on hair, skin, fabrics, and rubber materials like gaskets, and other seals that reside in water using appliances, and fixtures. Chlorine causes oxidation and will leach oils from literally everything it comes in contact with. This will cause thesethings to be weaker, brittle, and dry. If you have been swimming, exited the pool, and noticed your hair feels like straw and skin resembles sandpaper, you know what I am talking about!The next time you replace the aerator gasket or a faucet cartridge, you will understand why the material blackens your hands or disintegrateson contact.Do not expect any under sink water filtration or whole house water filtration system to significantly reduce the TDS (total dissolved solids) from your water. The reason for this is the contaminants that carbon filtration and other medias reduce are not that prevalent in the water supply. If your incoming TDS is 500ppm, you probably have less than 20 ppm of any number of contaminants that filtration would be targeted or ableto remove.Chlorine levels are usually between 1.0 – 2.0ppm in most municipal water. We feel strongly that filtration benefits are greater realized at the everyday use level, (showers, laundry, appliance and fixture seals) than at the consumption level. Due to our high TDS levels, filtration simply does not remove enough TDS to drastically improve taste, or purity. This leads us to our next topic, Reverse Osmosis purification.

Water Purification:If you have ever wondered why the filtered water from your refrigerator, the faucet attachment or pitcher filter doesn’t seem to do the trick for your taste buds, it’s probably related to high dissolved solid content. Most of the tap water in the U.S. is under 200 ppm of TDS (total dissolved solids) allowing the water to be palatable for most. However, in areas where these solids are much higher, the water can be quite objectionable to drink. Salt is a good example. A little on your food enhances the flavor, but too much overpowers the food, dominating the dish altogether. The same applies with dissolved solids in water. Carbon filtration or other types of filters just won’t cut it, because they are not effective at eliminating considerable levels of dissolved solids. Filtration and purification are completely different, and it is wise to understand the difference, so you don’t fall for false claims being made by some water treatment providers.To effectively eliminate enough TDS to make the water enjoyable to drink, use in coffee or tea, even produce good ice, the water must be purified by specific processes like reverse osmosis, deionization or distillation. The most common for quality drinking water for the home is reverse osmosis (RO) technology. RO is affordable, very effective, and simple to maintain. Typical purity levels achieved with RO systems is 95-97% reduction in TDS. Most of the bottled water off the shelf is purified by this process and can be verified by reading the label.The reason RO is much higher quality water than filtered water is due to a membrane that rejects TDS from the water supply. Membranes are made of thin film composite material that is wound around a composite post that has holes around it for the quality water to pass through.Water pressure is forced through the membrane, where the water is separated. Significant dissolved solids are flushed to drain and the good water into a storage tank. The drinking water is made slowly, at approximately 1-2 gallons per hour depending on membrane size. New membrane technology allows for very little waste at a 1/1 ratio. Older membrane technology required 4/1 ratio, a significant water savings!If your TDS is high chances are you won’t be satisfied with a water filter. Reverse Osmosis is the choice for many Phoenix area residents for high purity, and great tasting water.

If you’re considering investing in a reverse osmosis system for your home, you might have seen a number of articles, videos and blogs debating how healthy reverse osmosis water really is. Perhaps you’ve read that reverse osmosis water is acidic, or that the process of reverse osmosis strips water of healthy minerals.

The reality is that these claims are misleading, and paint a picture of reverse osmosis systems that simply isn’t accurate. In fact, the process of reverse osmosis does not make water unhealthy in any way — rather, the purification benefits may protect you from many water-borne contaminants. 

Read on to get a better understanding of what reverse osmosis really is; how it affects water quality; and how it impacts your body and health.

Is reverse osmosis water acidic?

Yes, it is slightly more acidic than pure water, which has a pH level of around 7 – 7.5. Typically, the water being produced by reverse osmosis technology is between 6.0 – 6.5 pH. Coffee, tea, fruit juice, carbonated drinks, and even milk have lower pH, which means they are more acidic than water from a reverse osmosis system.

Some people claim that reverse osmosis water is not healthy because it is more acidic than pure water. However, even water standards from the EPA state that water between 6.5 and 8.5 is healthy and safe to drink. 

Many assertions about the “dangers” of reverse osmosis water comes from proponents of alkaline water. However, despite plenty of alkaline water enthusiasts asserting that alkaline water can support your health, the Mayo Clinic notes that there simply isn’t enough research to verify any of these claims. 

Unless you suffer from conditions like acid reflux or gastrointestinal ulcers that may be best treated through reduction in acidic foods and beverages, there is no scientifically-validated evidence to indicate that reverse osmosis water is bad for your health.

Does reverse osmosis water remove healthy minerals from the water?

Yes and no. While the process of reverse osmosis does remove minerals from drinking water, it’s very unlikely that these minerals would have any lasting impact on your overall health. Why? Because minerals in drinking water are unlikely to make a meaningful difference to your health. Instead, vitamins and minerals derived from your diet are much more important.

According to Dr. Jacqueline Gerhart of UW Health Family Medicine, “Removing these essential elements from our drinking water doesn’t pose much of a problem, since a well-rounded diet will provide these as well.” Only people who “do not eat a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals,” she says, are at any risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency.

While reverse osmosis does remove minerals from water, it also removes harmful chemicals and contaminants like fluoride and chloride, which the Water Quality Association includes in its list of common water-borne contaminants. If these contaminants are consumed consistently over a low period of time, they can lead to chronic health issues like kidney problems, liver problems and reproductive difficulties.

Other water-borne contaminants removed by reverse osmosis include:

• Sodium
• Sulfate
• Phosphate
• Lead
• Nickel
• Fluoride
• Cyanide
• Chloride

Before worrying about minerals in your water, ask yourself a simple question: Am I getting nutrition from the water I drink, or from the foods I eat? Water hydrates our bodies and is essential for proper organ function — but the vitamins, minerals and organic compounds we need to lead healthy lives is generally derived from the foods we eat, not just the water we drink.

Will drinking water from a reverse osmosis filtration system harm my health?

There is virtually no tried-and-tested evidence to suggest that reverse osmosis water is harmful to your health. If you eat a balanced diet and do not suffer from conditions like severe acid reflux or gastrointestinal ulcers, drinking reverse osmosis water will have no impact on your overall health and wellbeing. 

If you do require water with a higher pH, however, there are reverse osmosis systems that feature optional filters that are fortified with minerals and electrolytes. This will increase the pH and help reduce effects associated with conditions exacerbated by acidic foods and beverages. 

Get Purified Water in your Arizona Home

To learn more about how reverse osmosis works, or to get a quote for a reverse osmosis system for your home, contact our team of water experts. Our team can help you understand how water filtration and purification can make your home’s water tastier and healthier for your skin, hair and body.

Dare to compare when shopping for a water treatment system for your home, there are several important factors to consider. It can be challenging for consumers to come to an informed decision on which water softening or reverse osmosis system is best for them and fits their budget. Basically, the consumer has 3 options: They can purchase from a “Box Store”, Proprietary Franchisee, or an Independent Distributor.

Box Stores

Box Stores offer low quality and low priced, water filtration systems, purifiers and softener systems, that are made oversees and use inferior components.

The old adage -“you get what you pay for” – has particular application here.

They use low flow rate “rotary” valves that create significant friction during regeneration cycles and wear quickly, creating service problems. They use low quality weak cross-link exchange resins that oxidize and break down easily in our high hardness/chlorinated water supply. Furthermore, these system are not built to withstand our much harder than average water in the Phoenix area. Examples include: GE, Kenmore, and Whirlpool. The components are identical in all of these appliance manufacturers products, and are virtually the same water softener and is built oversees. These products offer a “quick fix” to water treatment needs for a reasonable price. Because these retailers sell everything from tools to lawnmowers, to paint and appliances, the level of knowledge regarding water treatment systems needed for Phoenix water conditions is relatively poor.

Service is also a problem. Who do you contact if there is a question or problem? In most cases, it is an “800” number, out-of-state, or an independent contractor that the company uses for installation, service, and repairs. Traditionally, getting parts for these products has been a challenge and life expectancy is about 3-5 years. Clear Water Concepts replaces several of these box store water treatment systems in Phoenix every month.

Proprietary Franchises

Proprietary Franchises most often provide good quality products at extremely high prices. The cost of water treatment equipment is within a few hundred dollars of the wholesale level, whether the company is a Phoenix proprietary franchise or an independent dealer. There are several tactics and programs that they use to get their incredible prices, ranging from $3000 – $6000 for a complete water softening and reverse osmosis system. These companies rarely quote prices over the phone for several reasons: 1) If they do, chances are you will thank them and hang up, 2) They want a salesman to come to your home, give you a 2 hour sales presentation, complete with “good for today only” discounts. They usually use typical high pressure tactics to close the deal at the time of the presentation, knowing that if they don’t, you will shop their competitors and ultimately they will lose the sale, and 3) They often use gifts, like free soap packages, to justify their high prices. Any company offering Free soap in conjunction with a water softener system is charging Too much for their water system. Sales people for several proprietary companies are making between $700 – $1000 per sale!! In most cases, you get what you pay for!

Remember, value is perceived! The salesman’s job is to convince you that their soft water or reverse osmosis system is worth $5000. We would rather see you buy from a reasonably priced competitor than waste your hard earned money on an overpriced, Over-Hyped water softener and reverse osmosis system.

Independent Distributors

Independent Distributors – Clear Water Concepts is a Phoenix area independent distributor. We use our experience and knowledge in the industry to provide logical solutions to your water treatment system needs. We use industry tested, high-quality components in all of our products. Our Softeners and RO systems are locally manufactured and built to last in our demanding climate! We have the freedom to offer multiple options and products and always make recommendations based on your needs and budget. The bottom line is that you will get a quality product designed to last in the greater Phoenix area. We don’t sell caulk, plywood, or nails. When you call us you get an experienced water treatment specialist. NO sales commissions, NO Hype, NO pressure, NO gimmicks, PERIOD! Our water in the Phoenix metro area is very hard on water softening and whole home filtration systems. We know what performs and lasts! Compare our quality, innovation, and value to our competitors, and we think you’ll agree the choice is clear!

Quality Where It Counts

At Clear Water Concepts, quality comes first. From top to bottom, we ensure that each water softener installation that we perform will measure up to your expectations.
Each water softener or reverse osmosis system is manufactured with the highest quality by only using structurally sound components. Our softeners and whole home filtration systems use pressure tested and individually inspected mineral tanks that are held to the most stringent standards, and that possess unsurpassed durability and reliability.

Quality resin is extremely important in a water softener that is being used in the greater Phoenix area. Chlorine and high water hardness are (2) major factors that affect the performance and life of resin. Our local water supply contains significant amounts of both. The water normally contains between 12-24 grains of hardness, 2-3 times the national average! Chlorine oxidizes and will “breakdown” most resins used in softeners today – the biggest factor in resin failure! We use superior quality, high cross-linked water softening resins that are designed to be used for Phoenix water treatment problems and will provide years of quality, soft water in your home.

Our filter medias have high catalytic properties and water filtration capabilities that reduce harmful chemicals like chlorine and volatile organic compounds. Smells and odors are eliminated throughout your entire Phoenix area home, resulting in exceptional quality water. We top our water treatment systems off with the best performing, most reliable control valve in the industry.

The most important component in any Phoenix water softening or whole home filtration system is the valve. It controls the operating functions of the system and records vital data. Clear Water Concepts uses Clack water specialist valves exclusively on all our water softeners and whole home filtration systems. This innovative valve utilizes superior features and technology. It has several advantages over other name brand valves. Fewer moving parts make it more reliable and increase flow rate. Our exclusive screw drive piston travels through the valve body without the binding associated with the competitor’s cam driven pistons. No Teflon or Flappers to wear, no springs to break or weaken.

Valve Features:

• Digital On-Demand valves with Eco-smart water saving technology.
• Highest rated service and backwash flow rate in the water treatment industry.
• Eco-Flow technology uses 30% less water than competitors to backwash media, ensures cleaner more efficient resin, and eliminates channeling.
• Exclusive “screw-drive” piston provides superior tolerances, performance, and reliability that the competition can’t match.
• Soft water regeneration provides cleaner more efficient resin bed.
• Fully programmable, with adjustable reserve capacity.
• Dry brining eliminates salt bridging.
• Non-volative memory backup, set it and forget it. Industry’s only leak free directional bypass.

Our Ultima™ reverse osmosis systems deliver consistent, high quality drinking water for years. We use the finest quality components and fittings, including solid brass compression fittings on all pre-filters, auto shut-offs, and membrane housings. Most competitors use plastic fittings that can leak and cause water damage.

Clear Water Concepts exclusively uses high pressure rated Amtek™ filter housings on all our RO Systems. Amtek™ is simply the best in the business and made in the USA. Several Phoenix dealers are now using the cheaper housings that split under higher water pressures which can cause severe water damage. We use industry leading pre and post filters and the finest quality membranes for refreshing, pure water every time. Our exclusive tru-flo system fills your glass or container twice as fast as the competition!

Service That Satisfies

Clear Water Concepts understands that the success of our business relies on the quality of our relationships with our Phoenix area customers. We strive to exceed your expectations! Our 20 years of experience allows us to provide expertise in all facets of the water treatment service industry. We never suggest unnecessary repairs and give accurate, reliable quotes. Clear Water Concepts knows that your time is valuable, so we arrive within a 2 hour appointment time window to ensure prompt, courteous service. Even if you have an older water softening or filtration system, we can usually fix it for less than it would cost to replace. We do softening resin and carbon filtration re-beds, control valve re-builds, reverse osmosis system repairs, and filter services.

Quality Water… Quality Life

Treat yourself to treated water! From the laundry room to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the water heater – Treated water treats you! A quality water softening from Clear Water Concepts pampers your hair and skin, leaving it radiant and naturally moisturized. Clothing is cleaner and brighter, and fabrics last longer. Soft and conditioned water saves 50% on soaps and detergents. Cleaning is easier, with fewer chemicals and abrasive cleaners. Dishes come out sparkling and spot-free. Water using appliances perform better and last longer. Plumbing fixtures stay looking new. Investing in a quality water treatment system saves time & money and is one of the few Phoenix home improvements that actually pays for itself!

Tired of running to the market for bottled water? Why give up needed storage space? A reverse osmosis water purification system is the most effective solution to your drinking water needs. Get unlimited purified drinking water and ice, right in your own Phoenix area kitchen! Discover great tasting drinks, like coffee, tea, and juices! Reverse osmosis water also works great in steam irons and humidifiers. A quality water purification system from Clear Water Concepts provides fresh, great tasting water, and ice that you can proud to serve! Clear Water Concepts has a faucet that fits your style! We offer standard and designer faucets in all colors to match your kitchen faucet.

A Few Things To Consider . . .

Choosing the best water softener for your needs, can be confusing and challenging. How do you determine the appropriate product for your budget and expectations when everyone claims they offer the best system? The simple truth is that the technologies involved to produce quality water for your home are not some closely held secret or NASA inspired! Most of the systems on the market today use digital controlled on-demand regeneration to track water usage, and improve efficiency. The main difference in many water softening systems is the quality of components being used within the product. A softener consists of seven components. Valve control, resin, quartz or gravel bedding, resin tank, distributor, brine tank, and float. The most important of these are the valve control and resin quality, as they consist of the highest cost parts, and the most common for maintenance, especially in lower quality products. We will review the components separately and describe their use, and function.

Control Valve: We use Clack control valves, due to their reputation for quality, reliability, overall efficiency and performance. The valve is an important part of the system because it controls and evaluates water usage, flow, and sets the reserve capacity requirement for each individual household. The valve will determine when the system will recharge, how much salt, and water to use to accomplish a full regeneration cycle. A flow meter will turn like a turbine when water is flowing through the outlet or soft water side of the valve. The meter cable sends a signal to the circuit board to indicate the amount of water usage. The circuit board will keep a history within the database of usage, flow rates, days in service, and other valuable information. The circuit board interface on higher quality and more efficient systems is fully programmable for optimum efficiency on salt and water. Ideally the water softener system will regenerate close to maximum capacity for optimum performance. The best water softener control valves use a single piston design to open and close individual ports within the valve body. This type of valve promotes reliability and simplicity. The valve piston will engage only when the system needs to regenerate. Most valves have 5 or 6 cycles to complete all the necessary steps in the regeneration process. The service cycle is when the system is providing soft water which is most of the time. Other cycles include, backwash, brine rinse, slow rinse, brine refill. Superior valves like our Clack valves have an extra backwash cycle after the brine draw cycle. The 2nd backwash option provides a better stratified and evenly distributed resin bed for more effective contact time with the water flowing over it.

Resin: Resin quality is very important to use in water treatment systems in and around the Phoenix area. The resin attracts the minerals to it, through an ion exchange process. Each resin bead is negatively charged, but needs a positive sodium or potassium chloride ion attached to the bead to be fully charged. After a regeneration cycle the resin bead has been fully charged with positive chloride ions. When water is used in the home, the hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium), which are also positively charged, get exchanged for the chloride ions. The calcium and magnesium have a stronger charge or bond, and easily replace or knock off the chloride ions. Eventually, after several gallons of water used, every bead will have a hardness ion attached to it and will no longer provide soft water. The system will need to regenerate or recharge the resin beads to allow for water to be softened again. During the brine cycle in the regeneration process, the resin is slowly brined, allowing for the chloride to overtake the minerals grip on the beads. Look at it like a sizeable army of weaker ions (chloride), overpowering a smaller but stronger army (hardness minerals). This back and forth process of ion exchange goes on throughout the life of the system. In the Phoenix area it is important to use a high quality high cross-linked resin bead. When examining resin closer, you find it looks like it is cracked on the surface. This cracked appearance is the cross-link structure of the bead. The more of these cross linking lines or cracks on the bead, the better quality it is. High cross-linked resin will have greater resistance to chlorine oxidation, and have longer life in this environment. Typical resin comes in 8% standard, to 16% premium, cross link profiles. A good quality resin will last approximately 10-15 years without needing to be changed or serviced.

Price

Depending on which brand or dealer you are working with , prices can range from $1500 – $6000 installed. In general, prices being offered from franchise supported water dealers tend to be much higher than independent water treatment dealers. We feel strongly that many water treatment systems on the market today, are just simply overpriced, and overhyped. These include but are not limited to national chain establishments with proprietary equipment. There are several reasons for this pricing gap. High commissions, overhead, franchising costs, price structuring, the list goes on and on. The national marketing campaigns and branding help these dealers to better establish themselves as “authorities”, especially in large markets. Independent water treatment companies will likely have much more affordable pricing options, and similar, if not superior technology due to their flexibility in equipment offerings, and custom designed options for individual needs, and applications for the area they live in. The mantra, you get what you pay for, does not necessarily hold true in the industry. Many times, consumers simply over pay for the same features, benefits, and quality. By carefully considering what your actually getting, and wading through fancy sales talk, and presentations, you can make an informed decision.

Quality of Components and Materials

Generally, the quality from independent water treatment dealers is on par with the large franchise companies combined with significantly lower cost to the consumer. Both can offer the most recent technology and features available. Most reputable water treatment dealers use industry certified components. Modern water softeners now have advanced features and benefits that conserve both water and salt. Most on-demand electronic control valves are equipped with a non-volatile memory with battery back-up. This type of water softener only cleans when necessary based on water usage, hardness, and softener capacity. The result is about 50% less water and salt usage, as well as lower maintenance costs.

The most important component of any water softening system is the control valve. The valve and controller work together to optimize efficiency, clean and regenerate the water softener, and keep track of vital data.

Here are some key points to keep in mind about control valves when researching your water softening equipment:

• The most reliable valves have fewer moving parts, and some have as little as three total moving parts.
• Water softeners that utilize valves with a single piston design have excellent reliability and maintenance reputations.
• Most residential valves today are made of Noryl. This is a glass reinforced composite material that has exceptional durability and strength.
• Several water softening systems that are manufactured overseas do not incorporate Noryl and are structurally inferior. In warmer climates, these valves can become brittle, and are prone to cracking.

Reliability

Most of the water treatment systems offered by water treatment dealers and specialists today are generally of good quality. Typically, most have components that have been certified by the Water Quality Association, and/or NSF International. These independent resources are trusted by manufacturers, consumers, and regulatory organizations worldwide to facilitate safe standards for water quality systems, and components. In our experience, we have found that products and manufacturers that have been in the industry for long periods of time have the best track record for reliability, function, and performance. Over the years resin quality, valve controls, circuit boards, and other components have become more reliable due to technology improvement, and better engineering and design characteristics. Most products that can be purchased on-line and through many box stores, and home improvement outlets use inferior materials, and components. Composite materials used in these systems are typically manufactured oversees with less stringent protocols and standards, that ultimately effect product quality. When choosing a water softener check reputable review sites, BBB, Arizona registrar of contractors, and other state and local services to ensure the company you are considering is experienced and has a good reputation. In Arizona the company must be licensed to install water softening systems, whole home filtration systems, and other water treatment products.

Every day, I receive calls and emails from customers asking if, and how, no salt water softening systems work. I cringe when I hear this because while I understand why customers consider these systems, I know that referring to what these systems do as “water softening” is incorrect and misleading.

While no salt systems do minimize the negative impact of hard water on your pipes, they do not operate like a true water softening system. To understand how no salt systems work in comparison to salt water softeners, let’s look at what soft water is and how it’s created.

How Soft Water is Created

The term “soft water” refers to water that contains low concentrations of calcium and magnesium. Soft water is created through a process called ion exchange, in which calcium and magnesium ions are removed using an ion exchanging chemical like sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Without these chemicals, it’s not possible to remove these minerals from water or transform hard water into soft water.

Do No Salt Water Systems Make Water Soft?

Unlike true water softeners, no salt water systems do not remove calcium and magnesium ions — the byproducts responsible for hard water’s filmy residue and corrosive effects. Instead, no salt water systems simply alter the chemical structure of minerals through a process called descaling. 

This can prevent these minerals from depositing on pipes and fixtures, but doesn’t create soft water. For this reason, no salt water systems are actually water conditioners or descalers, not water softeners. 

Common Misconceptions About No Salt Systems

 

Misconception #1: No salt systems enable better results from soaps and detergents. A telltale characteristic of hard water is the lack of lather produced by soap. Since no salt systems do not create soft water, the mineral ions will still leave a filmy residue on dishes, hair, skin and clothing. This is why whites and colors look dull when using hard water, and why black clothing washed with hard water has a slight chalky look to it.

 

Misconception #2: Healthy calcium and magnesium is left in the water. The majority of our

minerals are consumed through food, which is easier for our bodies to absorb than minerals in

water. While the calcium and magnesium in water certainly isn’t harmful, it simply isn’t needed

when we are eating a balanced diet.

 

Misconception #3: Whole house water filters replace bottled water. No salt water systems use

carbon as a key filtration component, which is effective for removing chemicals like chlorine.

However, carbon is not effective for removing total dissolved solids (TDS), which are the primary

contaminants that impact how water tastes. While no salt systems decrease TDS by about 2-5%,

reverse osmosis reduces TDS by 95-98%. 

Should I Buy a No Salt System or a Salt Water Softening System?

Most can feel the difference between water that’s been processed through a no salt system versus a salt water softening system. While no salt systems may be suitable for certain applications in your home, most people prefer soft water for their showers and faucets because of its benefits for skin and hair. 

To decide which system you need, consider consider the differences between water processed through each type of system:

Water Processed Through a Salt Water Softener

• Does not leave deposits on pipes and fixtures
• Easily washes soap and shampoo off skin and hair
• Doesn’t leave filmy residue on appliances or dishware
• Feels slippery or slick

Water Processed Through a No Salt Water System

• Minimizes deposits on pipes and fixtures
• Does not easily wash soap and shampoo off skin and hair
• May create a filmy layer on appliances and dishware
• Feels sticky rather than slick

Get Soft Water In Your Home

If you want the benefits of soft water in your home, a salt water softening system is the best performing and most reliable option for you. If you have questions about water softener options, or want to get a quote for a water softening system for your home in the Phoenix area, contact the experts at Clearwater Concepts.