The Benefits of Using an Arizona Water Softener

Hard water is defined as water with a high mineral concentration, consisting mostly of magnesium and calcium ions. About 85% of the United States has hard water, and Arizona is notorious for having some of the worst around.

Hard water is typically not considered to be dangerous or a health hazard. However, it does cause troublesome, often costly, problems because it contains high amounts of "hard" minerals such as magnesium and calcium that can cause the build-up of limescale, a crusty, hard residue.

Scale can be found in appliances that utilize water, such as humidifiers and dishwashers. The scale can rust and plug valves in the appliances, thus shortening their service life. Other devices that can be affected are water heaters, washing machines, and faucets. Even plumbing systems are at risk; scale can also clog water pipes over time, restricting water flow and reducing water pressure.

Hard water can also weaken the cleansing strength of certain soaps. Washing clothes and dishes and even showering can become less effective because the hard water causes the break down and reduced lather of soaps.

Given that the problem is so rampant throughout Arizona, most residents are required to implement a solution for growing problem of hard water. Since expansive filtration systems (either by distillation or reverse osmosis) can be expensive, the installation of an Arizona water softener seems to be the best solution. Very simply stated, the water softener reduces the number of calcium and magnesium deposits in the water by replacing them with sodium ions.

A water softener is the most cost-effective solution not only because it lengthens the service life of most water-using appliances, but it also removes the need for annual filter changes and other related costs incurred by a reverse osmosis system.

Conditioned water from a water softener also eliminates the bothersome effects of the hard minerals such as water spots dishes, stains and mineral build-up on bathroom fixtures, and cleaner, brighter clothes. Last but not least, it is estimated that only one half of one percent of Arizona residents actually drink from their domestic water supply, favoring bottled water because of the unpleasant taste the hard water delivers. Using a water softener will provide high quality drinking water throughout the house for the whole family to enjoy.