Tapping into local well water has many advantages. The land contains the water you need, and a well water system will bring it straight to your tap. It can save you money, last for decades, and give you control over your own water supply. For many Americans, it is the only solution. People who live in rural areas use well water because they are beyond the reach of city water supplies. While wells are an excellent water source, sometimes they get a bad rap.

Complaints about well water usually have to do with hard water. Well water seeps through the soil and rocks before being pumped to your home. This journey through the soil is where the problem begins. In some areas, including central Texas, the soil composition results in really hard water. In the San Antonio area, we can blame the abundance of limestone, which leaves a high level of minerals in the water. Homeowners like you are left searching the web for “well water treatment companies near me” because the hard water in your well needs some help.

Why is Well Water So Hard?

Well water is different from the city water supply for a few reasons.

• It comes straight from the earth. Your water travels directly from the ground to your faucet, and that leaves little time for any minerals in your water to dissolve.
• The depth of your well can also factor into the hardness of your water. The deeper your well, the harder the water. Water deep within the earth has passed through more layers, resulting in more opportunities to acquire minerals.
• Cities treat their water supply, which can eliminate some hard water minerals. While softening the water isn’t the goal, city water sometimes loses some mineral content as a byproduct of filtering out contaminants. So, while city water isn’t necessarily soft, it usually has less mineral content than well water.

Homeowners often find themselves increasingly frustrated when they are on a well. While city water isn’t the perfect solution, having a well can feel like a never ending battle with water quality.

Signs of Hard Water

The water in your home is critically important to how you and your family function. If you live with hard water, you have likely noticed the effects and have dealt with the frustration. In areas like San Antonio, where the water is incredibly hard, you cannot let your hard water go unchecked. It will destroy your pipes, appliances, and fixtures if you ignore it long enough. Water filtration isn’t enough, but the solution is simple. You need a water softener.

You can test your water to see exactly what you are working with. But if you have hard water, you’ve likely already noticed the signs of hard water in your home.

• Limescale build-up on your fixtures and tile.
• Pesky white water spots and residue.
• Clothes and dishes that show premature wear and tear.
• Reduced water pressure.

A Professional Can Help

The first step is to call a local water expert. They will assess your home, test your water, and learn about your family’s water use and habits. From there, they can guide you to an ideal solution for your home.

Because well water can be extra hard, it can be more taxing on water treatment systems. Your water expert may recommend a more robust system to handle the extra challenges of well water, but there are water softening and filter systems that are ideal and effective on hard well water.

Depending on your desired outcome, you may benefit from a combination of water softeners, filters, and reverse osmosis systems. A professional can work their magic on your water, and aside from a small amount of upkeep, you will forget you were ever frustrated with your well water.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

A water softener is a system you install at the point of entry for your home’s water supply. This way, every drop of water that flows through your pipes will be freed of problematic minerals. Your pipes, appliances, fixtures, and surfaces are all protected from calcium and magnesium build-up.

Water first travels through carbon filters to eliminate large sediment from your water, which is typically more problematic in well water than city water. It then goes into a resin tank where there is an ion exchange, swapping hard minerals with friendlier ones. The water will make a final run through another carbon filter to ensure it is finished flawlessly and ready to supply your home with clean, soft water.

Your water softener will need some minor attention to continue to work effectively. Namely, you will need to check salt levels and replenish the salt supply regularly. And while you may need an occasional service or repair, the upkeep is minimal considering the life-changing benefits it provides.

The Finishing Touch

In addition to a water softener, your water professional may suggest other well water treatment solutions to improve your water supply. Additional filtration or a reverse osmosis system can help ensure that the water in your home is not only soft but safe and delicious to drink.