Welcome to:
"Ask Dr. H. Tuoh"
your resident water expert...

Let's start with "hard" water because that's what comes out of our taps. All of our local water is rich in dissolved minerals, calcium and magnesium in particular are the big problem causers. Water with this much dissolved "rock" is considered "extremely hard". If we remove these minerals, we have "soft" water which helps prevent dry skin, eliminates soap scum and mineral scale buildup on fixtures, appliances and plumbing.

Won't water softeners add salt to my water?

A bit... but if you have an "automatic" water softener you can choose between using "healthful" potassium, or salt - both materials will soften your water. Potassium is needed by your body, your plants and other living things too. Salt is not.
All "delivered" soft water adds salt to your water, some claim to be "salt free" but that's just a bit of deceptive advertising - it's there, but they add it, you don't.

What is the difference between a soft water service and what you do?

We install automatic equipment at your home that provides as much conditioned water as you can use and doesn't require "service visits". Your home stays private and secure. You can own your equipment, and choose between regular soft water and "sodium free" soft water - choices you don't get with a service. Exchange tank "service" is quite primitive, requires never ending service, provides just a limited amount of soft water and is the most expensive. Soft water "service" will only provide a limited amount of soft water but unlimited canceled checks!

Isn't soft water expensive?

Softening your water will save you money. Our company has been repairing plumbing problems caused by hard water since 1915 and we know you'll save money if you soften your water. Besides your plumbing, there are many other areas where soft water will save you money: longer lasting clothes, appliances, and significant reductions in soaps and cleaners.

How often should I have my drinking water tested?

Every 9 to 12 months. Overused filters can contaminate your water and cause early failure of other components so you should change them religiously. If you have a reverse osmosis system, measure the "TDS" (total dissolved solids) at the same time to be sure the "membrane" (the heart of a reverse osmosis system) is working - if the TDS is near or over 100, replace the membrane. Membranes - other than Kinetico's - seldom last more than 2 or 3 years because of the high TDS levels in our water.

Can I use a water softener with my septic system?

Yes. In a study done by the University of Wisconsin in 1978, they agreed with an earlier government study showing water softener discharge into a septic system has a beneficial effect.

How can I soften my water without using salt or potassium?

You can't. Many products "claim" to but their science is seriously lacking in verifiable facts. Magnets, catalytic, and other creatively described devices simply don't work - and that is what Consumers Digest says. None are recognized by NSF International or the Water Quality Association. If you want to do your own research on these, search the net for "pixie dust", "alchemy", "X-Files" and similar titles...