FAQs
Learn more about Water Treatment and BWS
Is well water safe to drink?
Over 40 million people in the United States get their water from a private well source. US Environmental Protection Agency regulates public wells but only give guidelines for private wells. This makes it important that those using private wells to be diligent and get their water tested regularly. This will help to take away any worrying about the water quality and whether or not you and your family are drinking safe and clean water.
Should I have my water tested?
It’s always a good habit to have your water tested regularly if you are using a private well source. It’s common practice to have the water tested of a new purchase of a home and whenever a new well is drilled. If results show no dangerous contaminants, then it’s recommended to test that water source at least every 5 years. If treatment is necessary then an annual water test is safest approach.
My water tastes normal, why would I need to test it?
Although in many cases, it’s apparent that your water needs to be treated, there are times when that’s not the case. Some water issues such as Radon, are easy to miss. Testing your water will get you the information you need to resolve any or all water issues.
I have city water. Do I need to test my water, too?
Even though the US Environmental Protection Agency regulates municipal water, they allow chemicals to be added that can create by-products in the water supply. These by-products are formed when chlorinated water and organic matter react forming trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and chloroform. There is also a chance of line breaks after the treatment plant that can introduce bacteria to your homes water system. This can cause regular Boil Water Advisories in some parts of the country.
What makes my water hard?
Water containing high mineral content of calcium and magnesium is considered hard. This added contaminant is largely due to the groundwater flowing through or over limestone. Hard water is not considered a health risk, but can cause excessive scale buildup in pipes and reducing the life expectancy of some household appliances.
What are the signs of having hard water?
- Soap doesn’t lather – Combination of soap
- Laundry looks dingy not clean – combination of soap, calcium & magnesium leaves a “soap scum” on everything including your clothes.
- Excessive build-up of scale on fixtures – Scale has a whitish color and doesn’t wipe away easily. This may reduce the life of appliances that use water regularly.
- Staining in sinks, toilets, and tubs – Water with high mineral content can stain porcelain over time.
How does a softener work?
A softener works by binding negatively charged sodium to positively charged ions, drawing the hard minerals out of the water. Ion exchange water softeners are the most effective means at treating hard water in your home.
What is the difference between a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Simply stated, while water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove minerals that cause hardness and scale and target issues like spots on dishes and buildup on appliances. Water filters remove a wider array of contaminants and impurities from a water supply and aim to provide a better-tasting, cleaner water.
Is my city water already soft?
In short, no. Most cities water treatment plants do not soften water before being sent out to distribution. This water can cause scale to buildup in your appliances effecting the efficiency and lifetime of the equipment using that water. Added to the high content of chemicals that could be added, BWS has one solution to solve both problems with our CITY SOFTENER.
Can hard water hurt my appliances?
The high mineral content of hard water can wreak havoc on your household appliances that are using it. Minerals buildup in your washer’s pump mechanism and other moving parts causing it to fail or leak. Hard water in your dishwasher can etch the glassware leaving them permanently cloudy and dull while the calcium and magnesium carbonates are shortening the life of the appliance. Water heaters consume more energy on hard water and can reduce the efficiency of the water heater up to 24%. The scale formed from calcium and magnesium when heated creates a rock-like formation which will buildup on the anode rod and in the bottom of the tank which may cause premature failures. Pre-filtration is often required now to qualify for a warranty on equipment like this.
How often should I change my inline filter?
A lot of factors dictate how long a filter cartridge will last. The quality of the water supply along with amount of water used will determine how long that filter will be able to perform. BWS always recommends in having your local water treatment specialist guide you.
Is Iron a problem in my water?
Iron can cause your water to leave stains on household fixtures and appliances while leaving a bad metallic taste in the drinking water if left unfiltered. Over time, iron deposits can buildup in your pipes impeding the water pressure and flow.
Are fluorides safe to drink in my water?
Fluorides have been added to our public water sources since the 1950’s with the thought that it helped to provide strong & healthy, teeth and bones. Many professionals have recently come to determine that fluorides in water has more negative effects than positive. Fluorides may be the reason behind mild health issues like irritated bowel syndrome to more severe health risks like thyroid problems.
How does a reverse osmosis system work?
Reverse Osmosis systems employ a high-to-low pressure system. Contaminated water enters a high-pressure chamber then forced toward a low-presser chamber on the opposite side of the filter. The filter is equipped with pores that are too small for contaminants to fit through allowing only clean water molecules through the other side.