THE DEFINITION OF HARD WATER
Water is considered “hard” when your water contains higher levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. It makes cleaning clothes more difficult and creates streaking on dishes and glasses. Also, it creates scaling on faucets and shower heads and makes cleaning your hair and skin well a challenge. It can also damage your home’s piping distribution system if not corrected. Fortunately, there are high efficiency filtration solutions that will remove these minerals through the proven ion exchange water softening process.
Symptoms of water quality issues include bad odors & taste, staining of laundry and bathroom fixtures, etc. However, the preferred starting point is to get a water test to identify the minerals or contaminants in the water. Inf following, this will lead to an effective system recommendation and route to providing your home with excellent water quality. While certain minerals & contaminants can be tested on-site (iron, hardness, pH, total dissolved solids, chlorine). However, health threat contaminants like radon in water, arsenic, nitrates and others require a certified laboratory for testing. For more on hard water, see https://gov/edu/hardness.
WATER SOFTENER SYSTEMS

Water Softener & Sediment Filter
A water softener is a type of whole house water filtration system that is designed for removing magnesium & calcium. Additionally, it will remove dissolved iron and manganese from the water. For water with high levels of iron or manganese (“the stainers”), an “up-flow” water softener is recommended to prevent mineral build-up in the bottom of the water softener. Also, high efficiency water softeners that are more efficient with both water and salt usage are preferred.
BAD ODORS & TASTE
In addition to the above systems described, there are many other types of systems to remove bad tastes & odors, sediment and other objectionable minerals and contaminants in the water. If you are experiencing a rotten egg smell in water, you likely have hydrogen sulfide in your well water or possibly a high level of manganese. A water test and analysis will lead to the best approach. For more information on bad odors & taste in your water, see the link at http://bad-odor-taste-water/.