Water Treatment FAQ

If you live in the Grand Canyon State, you know that our water is unique. You might notice crusty white spots on your faucets, dishes that never quite look clean, or skin that feels dry and itchy after a shower. We have some of the hardest water in the country. Aqua Science understands the specific challenges that come with our local water supply, so we offer whole-house water filtration in Arizona. We’ll help ensure your family has access to clean, safe water. Before calling us, learn a little more about our hard water treatment services by reading answers to frequently asked questions below.

The short answer is: probably. While the municipal water supply is generally safe to drink according to federal standards, “safe” doesn’t always mean good. Untreated tap water in Arizona is often loaded with minerals and chemicals. If you want to protect your home and improve your quality of life, treating your water is a smart move. Treated water tastes better, feels better on your skin, and protects your plumbing. It can even save you money by helping your appliances last longer.

So, why is the water so hard here? It all comes down to geology. A lot of our water comes from the Colorado River or groundwater sources. As this water travels through the ground, it passes through limestone and other rocks rich in minerals.

The water acts like a magnet, picking up calcium and magnesium along the way. By the time it gets to your tap, it’s packed with these dissolved minerals. The higher the amount of calcium and magnesium, the “harder” the water is. In Arizona, those levels are naturally very high.

Hard water is tough on your home. Those minerals don’t just stay in the water. They settle inside your pipes and appliances. We call this “scale.” You can see it on your showerhead, but the real damage happens where you can’t see it.

Think about your water heater or washing machine. When hard water heats up, the minerals separate and stick to the heating elements. This creates a crusty layer of rock. Your water heater must work much harder to heat the water through that layer of rock. This wastes energy and raises your utility bills. Eventually, the buildup can cause the machine to overheat and break down years before its expected lifespan is reached.

A water softener is the best defense against hard water damage. It removes minerals through a process called ion exchange. Inside the water softener systems that Phoenix residents use, there’s a tank filled with resin beads. As the water flows through the tank, the beads grab onto the hard minerals and trap them. In exchange, the system releases a tiny amount of sodium. As a result, the water flows into your house free of minerals that cause scale. Furthermore, the system cleans itself in a cycle called regeneration, flushing the trapped minerals down the drain so that it can start fresh.

While a softener protects your pipes, a reverse osmosis (RO) system is all about your drinking water. Reverse osmosis installation is usually done right under your kitchen sink.

An RO system pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane. It blocks larger contaminants like lead, arsenic, copper, and even dissolved salts. If you’re buying cases of bottled water because you hate the taste of the tap, an RO system is a game-changer. It gives you bottled-quality water right from the faucet in your kitchen.

There isn’t a single solution for water. It depends on what you need. Here are the main types of residential water treatment solutions we offer:

• Water Softeners – These are strictly for removing hardness materials. They save your plumbing, give you softer skin, and make cleaning easier.
• Reverse Osmosis Systems – These are for drinking and cooking. They remove contaminants to give you pure, safe water.
• Whole House Carbon Filters – These remove chemicals like chlorine and chloramines from every tap in your house. This helps if you dislike the smell of pool water when showering.

Many homeowners choose a combination of these solutions. You may want to consider a softener to protect the pipes and a carbon filter to remove chemicals, providing the best of both worlds.

If you’re ready to fix your water woes, Aqua Science is here to help. Contact our specialists today to request a free quote for hard water treatment services in Arizona.