FAQ
Is all well water the same?
The elements found in well water may vary so not all well water is the same. This is true even among wells that are within close proximity to each other. Common well water issues include sediment, dirt, hardness, bacteria, and iron. It is necessary to have your well water tested before the proper treatment for your water can be determined.
Why does water sometimes smell like rotten eggs?
Hydrogen Sulfide is often the reason for this unpleasant smell. Hydrogen Sulfide may be created by decaying organic matter, some types of bacteria, and petroleum refining. If the rotten egg smell is only present in hot water, it may be the result of a deteriorated anode on a water heater system.
My water tastes and smells like chlorine. What causes this?
Municipal water treatment facilities commonly use chlorine to treat water. It is often detectable in tap water due to taste and smell. While chlorine is effective for removing dangerous bacteria from the water supply, chlorine can objectionably affect drinking water by irritating eyes and skin. Since the chlorine has already served its purpose by the time water reaches your faucet, we can safely remove it from your water.
Why do rust stains occur?
Though it may not be noticeable to the naked eye, iron may be in your water. Once it is exposed to air, the iron oxidizes, leaves rust-colored stains on clothing, showers, sinks, and fixtures.
Is water softening equipment required to remove iron from water?
The answer depends on the type of iron you have in your water. There are three different types of iron water – ferric, ferrous, and iron bacteria. It is necessary to evaluate the kind of iron in your water before diagnosing what is needed to solve your iron issues.
Will hard water effect my water-using appliances?
Hard water leads to build-up in plumbing and water-using appliances, creating a restricted flow of water. In appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, the build-up can ultimately lead to the need to service or replace these items more frequently. In hard water areas, it is not unusual for the flow of running water through household water lines to be reduced to the size of a ballpoint pen head.
Does having hard water adversely impact my energy costs?
Hard water forms build-up in appliances, which can require as much as 33% more fuel to heat water in a water heater. The reason is that additional energy is required to heat hard water scales before it can heat your water. Since soft water eliminates hard water scale issues, the result will be lower energy costs.
Soft water causes a “slippery” feeling on my skin. Why is this?
With soft water, it may actually seem like soap and shampoo have not completely rinsed off your skin. This sensation is caused by the fact that there is no dissolved rock in your water. The water’s natural softening and moisturizing agents can do their job, and thoroughly clean skin and hair. Conversely, this is why hard water can cause skin pores to clog with soap residue, leaving skin dull and hair feeling dry.
What are the advantages of using a Water Softener?
Water that has been treated with a water softener has many benefits over hard water:
- Housework is easier without having to deal with hard water build-up on fixtures and appliances.
- Clothes laundered in soft water wear better, lasting up to 30% longer.
- Fabrics stay softer and whiter without the dingy gray caused by hard water.
- Soft water cleans silverware, dishes, and glassware better, leaving a shinier finish.
- Soaps and shampoos work more effectively because soft water allows them to lather better, enabling you to use up to 75% less product.
- Organic, chemical-free healthy soaps and laundry products perform better with soft water.
- Hair and skin feel softer and cleaner after bathing with softened water
- Water-using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers last much longer when used with soft water.
How does a water softener work?
The calcium and magnesium in hard water are removed by resin beads as it flows through the system. Hardness ions in the water are replaced with the soft ions of the resin beads in an exchange process to create the soft water.
Once the water softener resin beads become coated with calcium and magnesium ions, their ability to soften hard water decreases. Regeneration is a process during which water is flushed through the water softener with a concentrated amount of regenerant. Resin beads exchange the soft ions from the regenerant for the hard ions. The dirt and sediment filter sends dissolved dirt, rock, and sediment down the drain. Following the restoration of the resin beads, the water softener goes back to work, providing the entire home with soft, clean water.
Is it possible to soften water without using salt?
Magnetic or electronic devices (known as “descalers” in the water treatment industry) are available on the market. They are not actual water softeners because they do not remove the hardness from the water. They can be useful for preventing scale build-up in pipes and appliances, but they do not provide softened water or its benefits.
Are water softeners expensive to use?
The only household appliance that can actually reduce costs, a water softener can reduce water-heating bills by up to 29%. Soft water also requires less detergent and soap usage, so water softeners save you money on these items as well.
Can my septic system or drain field be compromised by the water softeners’ discharge from regeneration?
Studies done in the 1970s at the University of Wisconsin concluded that salt-brine discharge from water softeners had no ill effects on the operation of typical anaerobic or newer style aerobic home treatment systems. It was also confirmed that water softener regeneration discharge did not hurt drain field soil percolation and in some cases could improve soil percolation. Septic tank effluents containing water softener effluents include substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium, which balance the effect of sodium, in addition to promoting and sustaining soil permeability. According to the study results, it is preferable to discharge water softener waste to septic systems than to separate dry wells or ditches. Learn more at www.wqa.org.
Do most water softener manufacturers offer a full lifetime warranty?
No. Competitors can’t offer the same guarantees as EcoWater does because their products do not match the quality of EcoWater systems.
Are EcoWater & Hans Products American-made?
Yes, both these brands are made in America.
What is the best way to have my water tested?
It is best to have well water tested for hardness, iron, and pH. City water should be checked for hardness, pH, and chlorine. Contact us to schedule a FREE in-home water test so we can identify your water problems and determine the right water solution for your home.
What is the right system for my water problems?
The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pros are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.What are some common home water problems?
While most homeowners may never encounter scary-sounding contaminants like toxaphene and trichloroethylene, there are several common water problems to be on the lookout for in the home:- Hard water
- Iron water
- Acid water
- Turbidity
- Taste and Odor
- Contaminants.
Why does the water from my Reverse Osmosis System has a taste to it?
Ask your EcoWater Pro about what you are experiencing. You could be due for a filter change. Or maybe something has changed with your water, and it will be better served by a different type of filter cartridge in your drinking water system. A conversation with your EcoWater Pro is your safest bet in finding a solution.How often do the filters have to be changed?
Your authorized EcoWater Pro can talk to you about how often the filters need to be changed, based on your home’s water and your water use. Talk to your EcoWater Pro about service program options that might include routine filter replacements.My water tastes fine. Why would I need a drinking water system?
Ordinary tap water can contain dissolved metals, such as iron or lead. It might contain chlorine, nitrates and mineral salts. Or it could have sulfates, mercury, asbestos or arsenic in it. A reverse osmosis water treatment system from EcoWater reduces more than 95% of dissolved solids, including many harmful contaminants.I’m worried about bacteria in my drinking water. How can I be sure it’s removed?
EcoWater offers a microbiological drinking water purification system that is certified to reduce 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.95% cysts, such as giardia and cryptosporidia.The city treats my water so it’s safe to drink. What more do I need?
The quality of your home’s water may meet local standards, but it might not meet your own. Reverse osmosis drinking water purification systems are usually used in the kitchen, where you are most apt to get your drinking water, and where you prepare all of your food and beverages. You need the healthiest and best-tasting water available. Also, the methods used to treat municipal water – including chlorine – could be impacting the smell and taste of your mixed beverages and your cooking. A drinking water system provides bottled water quality, without the bottled water price paid at the store and at the recycling center.Do efficiently run softeners hurt septic tanks?
A study released at WQA Aquatech USA indicates “that the use of efficiently operated water softeners improves septic tank performance, while the use of very inefficiently operated water softeners may have a negative effect on solids discharge to the drain field and the level of impact will depend on the level of hardness in the water, whether the regeneration waste is discharged to the septic tank, and the amount of excess sodium present in regeneration waste.” The Water Quality Research Foundation commissioned Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to conduct this independent study in 2012 which resulted in an official report, “Changes in Septic Tank Effluent Due to Water Softener Use.” Two different approaches were taken to conduct this study; one in a laboratory setting and the other looked at case studies conducted in the field.My remote display shows question marks instead of numbers.
Make sure the water softener (or refiner) is receiving power. Assuming the softener is getting power, it might be the strength of the signal to the remote. Try moving the remote to different locations in your home. If you continue to have problems, contact your EcoWater Pro.My water feels too soft. Can I adjust it?
No. Soft water is soft water. You cannot adjust the level of impurities being removed from the water.I filled the salt, but the light is still blinking and the screen still says to add salt.
After filling the salt, you must set the salt level on the display screen. Note the level number along the inside wall of the salt tank. Then follow the menu instructions on your softener display screen to set the salt level number.My softener isn’t using much salt.
An EcoWater softener or refiner is very efficient, so you might not go through as much salt as another brand used. If you feel like your water isn’t soft, and the level of salt is not decreasing at all, consult your EcoWater Pro.How do I determine the right softener for my home?
The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pros are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.How does a water softener operate?
One of the biggest misconceptions about water softeners is that salt is what softens your water. What actually softens the water are the thousands of resin beads inside your softener that filter out hard water minerals. Water softeners use a negatively charged ion exchange resin to collect the impurities from your water. The resin becomes charged when it mixes with a sodium or potassium solution. The salt in the water softener isn’t what softens the water; it is what enables the resin to collect and remove the hardness from your water. The EcoWater refiner softens your water, and also removes the chlorine taste and odor, which is often a result of water treated by cities and municipalities. Regeneration is the term for when the resin is being cleaned and recharged in the sodium solution.How can I treat my well water?
Your authorized EcoWater Pro can evaluate your water and recommend a water softener system or whole home filtration system customized to treat your home’s water. The benefits include:
- Reduced scale build-up on pipes, faucets, and water-using appliances, providing energy savings.
- Reduced iron stains, tastes, and odors.
- Cleaner, brighter laundry.
- Lower use of soaps and detergents, saving money.
- Eliminated spots on glassware and silverware.
- Softer skin and hair.