Hanson Soft Water - Water Treatment FAQs

Why remove hardness and iron from your water?

Depending on the area in which you live, your water might not be of the quality you desire for bathing, laundering, cooking, cleaning or drinking. It might taste or smell bad, stain your plumbing fixtures, or be so hard that it leaves mineral deposits. No matter where you live, your water will probably need to be treated in some way to be of the highest quality for all uses. It is simple and economical to improve the quality of your water at the point of entry to your home.

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What is hard water?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, moderately hard to hard water (3.5 to 10.5 gpg) occurs in over half of the homes in the U.S. Hardness is caused by minerals dissolved in the water, such as calcium and magnesium. Both these minerals can be removed by water softening equipment.

You'll probably know if you have hard water. Soap lathers very little, if at all. And instead of rinsing clean, it combines with the minerals in your water and leaves "soap scum" on surfaces, skin, hair and clothing. When hard water is heated, you'll notice a mineral deposit which appears as a hard scale on your cooking utensils, tea kettles, etc.

If you want to find out how hard your water really is, a water softening equipment dealer can tell you its exact condition. Water hardness is usually measured in grains per gallon (gpg). The table below is an analysis according to the U.S. Department of the Interior and Water Quality Association standards.

GRAINS per GALLON

Less than 1.0
1.0 to 3.5
3.5 to 7.0
7.0 to 10.5
10.5 and over

WATER CONDITION

Soft
Slightly Hard
Moderately Hard
Hard
Very Hard

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How can you get softened water?

The most efficient and economical way to soften your water is by purchasing or renting a permanently installed water softening appliance. Water softeners filter out sediment and remove dissolved hardness minerals by a process called ion exchange. This process substitutes sodium ions for the calcium ions present in hard water.

The best water softeners are completely automatic, self-recharging, and provide a virtually unlimited supply of soft water. Salt for recharging may be delivered on a regular basis by your dealer, so that ownership can be essentially hassle-free.

Some automatic softeners recharge on a pre-set schedule which is controlled by a time clock. Most, however, recharge on a metered basis, initiating recharging of the water softener prior to the water becoming hard. They are more efficient in operation and provide a substantial savings on salt and water. If you do not wish to invest in a water softener, you can rent the same type of equipment. In this situation, the dealer owns the equipment and has the responsibility of its maintenance Frequently part of the rental cost may be applied toward purchase.

Even though water softeners have the capability of removing small amounts of iron and manganese from your water in addition to the hardness, they should not be installed as sediment filters.

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How to deal with iron, sulfur & bad taste water problems

Iron in the water supply ruins its taste and stains plumbing fixtures and laundry. Sulfur (hydrogen sulfide gas) in water makes it smell like rotten eggs. It rusts or corrodes plumbing and turns silverware black.

Iron filters, such as the Hellenbrand Iron CurtainTM Systems, can easily rid your water of iron and sulfur. The process involves a simple operation in which mineral rich water is forced through an aeration tank. Here, these dissolved minerals are converted into tiny particles which circulate in the system for enough time to grow to a size where they are trapped in a filter. In this way, the highest level of dissolved minerals can easily be removed from your water.

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What to look for when you buy a water softener

Buying a water softener is a little more involved than buying the average appliance. First, a sample of water should be taken and then analyzed to determine if water conditioning equipment is needed.

Water hardness must be determined because it is directly related to the size of equipment necessary. It is also important to determine whether other water impurities, such as iron, are present, and in what amount. For example, high iron content may interfere with the operation of a standard water softener. In this case an iron filter may be necessary. If even a small amount of sulfur is found, it still may be desirable to treat the water to avoid corrosion, tarnishing and odor.

Another factor influencing the size of water conditioning equipment is the amount of water used in the home. This can be estimated by the number of people in the household.

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Checklist when you buy:

✓Does the dealer have an established place of business in your area?
✓Will a representative call at your home to determine the right kind, capacity and installation of equipment?
✓Is installation included in the price?
✓Does installation include by-passing of lawn and garden sprinkling faucets, a faucet for unsoftened water, and other features you may desire?
✓Does the unit have enough water conditioning capacity to provide for present and future demands?
✓If you rent equipment, does your agreement include an option-to-buy provision?
✓Does the dealer offer after-sales service?

Selecting the right water treatment equipment

In buying a water softener, allow for family growth and for guests. It is better to have equipment that is oversized, rather than undersized to avoid problems of insufficient flow during periods of high water usage. Price should never be the primary consideration for selection of equipment. Larger or metered units may cost less to operate and be more efficient.

When choosing a water softener, look for equipment that has been validated by the State of Wisconsin. The State has judged that the equipment complies with the specifications of the industry standards for water softeners.

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