Learn About Water Softeners

Everything You Need to Know About CalSoft WaterSofteners

What does soft water really mean?

The Water Quality Association (WQA)* defines soft water as any water which has been processed in some manner (such as with a Conditioner) BUT must be able to reduce the total hardness to 1 grain per gallon or less, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.

In other words, unless a water conditioner actually reduces the total hardness to 1 grain per gallon or less, it cannot be called a water softener.

So, conditioned water can be soft water, but not ALL conditioners are able to soften water.

Water Conditioner?
But is it a Water Softener?
Water Softener
Yes
Yes
Reverse Osmosis
Yes
Yes

Carbon Filtration

Yes
No
Magnets
Yes
No
Electronic wave technology
Yes
No
Ceramic media
Yes
No

And a host of others

Yes
No


Consumers are advised to be certain that they understand exactly what benefits are claimed before they purchase any water conditioner device.

Only a water softener or a reverse osmosis system can get your water below 1 grain of hardness. Only these two products actually soften hard water. Period.

Water Softeners (Automatic Or Portable Exchange)

  • Water softeners come in a variety of sizes, flow rates, etc.
  • A water softener can either be an automatic system you can buy, or we can provide a system to you, and you just pay us a monthly service fee for maintenance. You add salt to it yourself, and the system regenerates in your home.
  • Or it can be a soft water exchange tank service whereby a technician removes the tank periodically and replaces it with a regenerated tank. Depleted tanks are regenerated at a regeneration facility.

Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Systems

  • An alternative solution to using a water softener is to filter the water either by distillation or reverse osmosis to remove the calcium and magnesium.
  • This type of filtration would be much more expensive to use for all of the water in your home.
  • It is far more cost-effective to install a reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink and then install a whole house water softener such as an automatic softener or exchange tank softener for the remainder of your home’s water.

* The International Water Quality Association (WQA), the trade association representing the water treatment industry, has developed standards and definitions for the water produced by the variety of water treatment devices. These definitions are intended to assist consumers in understanding what each system can do so they purchase the device that will provide the quality of water they desire for the intended use. Consumers are advised to be certain that they understand exactly what benefits are claimed before they purchase any water conditioner device.

Soft Water For Your Appliances & Plumbing

Overwhelmingly, soft water produces better function, efficiency, extended life, and appearance of your appliances. Hard water clogs pipes and water lines leaving calcium buildup and corrosion. Soft water extends the life of your plumbing!

In fact, the appliances running on soft water used significantly less energy to operate, and the appliances and plumbing lasted longer – needing fewer repairs. With soft water, you don’t have to worry about water spots, tarnishing, or stains.

6 Ways Installing a Water Softener Can Save You Money