Improve Your Water Quality - May Monthly Newsletter

May 15, 2020

According to a report issued by the City of Phoenix, the drinking water in your area comes from a variety of sources. These included streams, rivers, lakes, springs and wells. However, most of your water comes from surface water (98%) that they claim, “most likely started as snow-pack”.

When they say, “most likely”, you get the sense that they are not too sure and that they are guessing the water’s origin.

That is just not good enough.

Water is a major part of your life. Aside from pure survival needs, water also helps you bathe, cook, garden, feed your animals, and many more activities. Because water is so necessary, it’s important you have access to the cleanest water possible.

Sure, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Government set guidelines to limit the number of contaminants found in your water. This is scary. What they are saying is that it is okay to have some contaminants in your water.

Again, this is just not good enough.

You deserve the purest water you can get and the best way to achieve quality water is with the use of a water filtration system.

What Is A Water Filtration System?

A water filtration system uses a filtering process to decontaminate your water. The filtering process can be done using a physical barrier, a chemical process, or biological processes.

Filtering water helps you avoid ingesting bacteria, toxins, chlorine and other harmful contents.

Types of Water Filters

There are several options for filtering your water to make it safer. Your Phoenix area HVAC professional can explain each in detail.

You may choose activated carbon, in which carbon granules absorb all the negative toxins and chemicals before it gets to you. It acts like charcoal, which we know to be great for eliminating toxins.

But, if you have limescale, hard water or magnesium or sodium buildup, activated carbon is not the filter for you. Instead, use reverse osmosis, or ion exchange processes.

Reverse osmosis does the opposite of absorbing. It forces water through a filter with pressure but leaves the contaminants behind. 

Ion Exchange filters soften water, remove limescale and make water more digestible. The filter has a process that uses zeolite beads that trap contaminants and replaces them with sodium ions.

Installation and Costs

When talking with your Mesa plumber, you will also discuss types of filters based on their installation. Whole house filtration systems are an example. Everything in your home is filtered, which increases the lifespan of your appliances and pipes. Cost can range from $500 to $1000 or more, depending on the complexity of your water system.

Reverse osmosis can cost around $500 and ion exchange can start at $1500 for installation. 

Other decisions you can discuss with your contractor from the Phoenix area is whether you want under the sink, pitcher, countertop, or faucet mounted systems, all of which have advantages.

Benefits of Water Filtration

You will notice a difference as soon as you start using a water filtration system. The first positive thing you may recognize is that your water feels and tastes better. It is softer and more pleasant to drink.

Another benefit is your skin and scalp will not be so dry. You may think it is the dry desert atmosphere making your skin so dry, but your water contributes also. A water filter softens your water and softens your skin and your hair.

Water is not supposed to have an odor. If your water smells, you need a filter. Water filtration can eliminate odors. It can also get rid of algae growth, scum, residue and hardness.

What’s So Bad About Hard Water?

Water hardness is determined by how many minerals, like calcium and magnesium, you have in your water. The more minerals you have in your water, the more damage can happen to your appliances, pipes, and your health.

When water is too hard, these minerals will start to build up, causing erosion, limescale, and gross looking spots around your faucets. This scaling is not only an eyesore, it is causing your plumbing fixtures to deteriorate. 

Many who have added a water filtration system almost immediately recognize improvements. They even notice they don’t need to use as much soap when washing dishes and laundry and that clothing lasts longer when washing with softer water.

What Does Your Water Need?

Now is the time to call your plumbing professional, who can evaluate your water, and your plumbing system, to see if hard water has done any damage. And if so, you can create a plan, together, to add a water filtration system.

In time like this, when you are forced to be at home more, you need to know your water supply is safe, secure and high quality. The pros at Whitton plumbing are happy to provide this evaluation for you.