If your home receives hard water from a municipal water supply or from a residential water well, you should install a water softener to help remove excess minerals before you use it. But how does the process work and why is it important?  Here are a few things you should know about water treatment in your home.

Water Treatment FAQs

What is hard water?

Hard water has excess minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, dissolved in it. All tap water can be rated on a scale from soft to very hard based on the number of dissolved minerals in grains per gallon (gpg). Soft water has less than 1 gpg, and very hard water has 10.5 gpg or more.

Why does it matter?

While small amounts of minerals are necessary for your health and can make water taste better, too much can affect your home and even your body. Hard water spots your glasses and dishes, leaves mineral deposits on surfaces, turns clothes gray, and can even make your hair and skin look dingy. It also takes more energy to heat hard water and requires more soap if you’re washing with it. 

How does water treatment help?

Various types of water softeners and filters exist to remove the minerals from hard water. These devices chemically attract the tiny mineral particles or physically screen them out. Depending on the type of water treatment you choose, you may also be able to remove other harmful substances, such as radium and chromium, which may legally be present in a public water supply.

What kind of maintenance does my water softener need?

Depending on the type of water softener you use, your maintenance routine will likely consist of refilling the salt tank. Salt is used to “recharge” the filter and to help replace the unwanted minerals in your water.

If you need a water treatment system or would like to test your water, Empire Pump Service in Green Forest, AR, will help. For over 30 years, the fully licensed and insured well-drilling company has provided everything from pump and filter installation to 24/7 emergency well service for clients in both Arkansas and Missouri. To schedule service, contact their Arkansas office at (870) 438-6929 or the Missouri office at (417) 858-3766. Visit them online to send a message or check out more of their services.