Water Wisdom

Having a water softener has many advantages, including improved household appliances, softer skin and hair, and reduced energy costs. One of the biggest advantages of having a water softener is the improvement in the performance of household appliances that use water. Hard water, which is water that contains a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can build up inside appliances and cause them to become less efficient. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for appliances, as well as higher energy costs as they have to work harder to function properly. A water softener, on the other...

An ever-increasing amount of salt is seeping into municipal water supplies through road salting, manufacturing and residential water softening. For homeowners in hard water areas living without a water softener is unimaginable, but unless salt and water consumption is put in check, a future ban on sodium based softeners seems inevitable. It happened in California, it happened in parts of Europe and it can happen in Canada. Waterloo Region in Ontario is taking serious steps to maintain the integrity of the water supply and individual homeowners can help. Reducing the amount of salt used by water softeners is a challenge...

Does Salt-Free work in Waterloo Region? You have probably heard about the Region's interest in salt-free water conditioning. Notice I didn't say salt-free "softener." Well, that's because these systems do not actually soften the water. Softened water occurs by way of an ion exchange process which is what happens when you use a sodium-based water softener.  Salt-free systems are better described as "scale inhibitors." And now the question you've wanted to hear the answer to -- do they work?    The answer is a loud and clear YES!   In light of the recent salt shortage in Kitchener, Waterloo and area,...

Confused about how often or when you should replace water filters? Let's break it down and hopefully shed some light on this important question. After all, you bought a water purifier because you wanted pure water, so proper maintenance and filter changes will help you achieve that end. Most reverse osmosis drinking water systems are the same (they just look different) Most reverse osmosis units have 3 lower filter sumps. These sumps usually contain 1 sediment filter and 2 carbon filters and a membrane across the top. Some have an extra polishing filter also across the top.        The...

Ten reasons you don't need to leave home to buy water treatment products After working in a water treatment showroom for over 25 years I can tell you that I miss those face to face information exchanges with customers. But things change and even for us older (shall I say more weathered) salespeople, it’s time to rethink the old way of doing things and embrace the new way. Shopping online for water treatment products offers many advantages for the consumer Clearly, the obvious is that you limit your exposure to people and places. But the pandemic will end and so...