Many people accept their water as is, but did you know that it can be greatly improved? Over 80% of the U.S. water supply is hard. Does your faucet or shower head have hard water scale like the picture to the right (click on it to enlarge)? If so, you have hard water! A water softener can benefit your family in these many ways:

• Cleaner, brighter, softer laundry
• Cuts detergent, soap, shampoo, and cleaning agent needs in half
• Healthier, softer skin and hair
• Eliminates soap scum in bath, shower tiles, and sinks
• Prevents rock-hard scale build-up in plumbing
• 7% TO 29% savings in water heater energy costs
• Removes up to 5 ppm iron - prevents rust stains
• Great tasting, sodium-free soft water on tap (using potassium chloride)

What is the definition of "hard water"?

• Less than 1 grain per gallon (GPG) is soft.
• 1 to 3.5 GPG is slightly hard (water softener generally not required)
• 3.5 to 7 GPG is moderately hard (would see improvement with water softener)
• 7 to 10.5 GPG is hard (big improvement, financial payback with water softener)
• Over 10.5 GPG is very hard (huge improvement, quick payback with water softener)

Not sure how hard your water is? On city water, simply call your water department (to convert mg/l or ppm to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1). For private wells, there are two options:

• Order one of our in-home test kits (see link on left).
• E-mail us your mailing address and we will send you a free hardness test strip.

Be sure to check out all our links in the left column for complete information on our water softeners!