Frequently
Asked Questions
Arizona Water Treatment Answers from Clean H2O PRO'S
Have questions about water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, or whole house water filters? As Arizona’s trusted water treatment experts, we’re here to help you understand your water and choose the best solutions.
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1 Why is Arizona water considered “hard water”?
Arizona’s water supply comes from rivers, lakes, and underground sources, all of which accumulate high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals make the water “hard,” which can lead to buildup on fixtures, reduce soap effectiveness, and shorten the life of appliances.
2What contaminants are commonly found in Arizona tap water?
Arizona tap water may contain chlorine, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, and even trace pharmaceuticals depending on the source. Testing your water is the best way to understand exactly what’s in it and choose the right solution.
3 What is the white residue on my faucets and dishes?
That’s mineral buildup—mostly calcium and magnesium—from hard water. A water softener helps eliminate these deposits and keeps your fixtures and dishes looking clean.
4 Why should I test my water even if it looks clean?
Water can look clean but still contain harmful contaminants, excessive minerals, or high chlorine levels. Testing helps uncover what’s really in your water so you can treat it effectively.
5 Are bottled water and refill stations safer than tap water?
Not necessarily. Bottled water is often just filtered tap water, and refill stations can vary in maintenance and quality. A professionally installed in-home filtration system gives you clean, safe water from every tap—on demand.
6 Salt-based vs. salt-free systems: What’s the difference and what’s best for Arizona?
Salt-based systems (water softeners) remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. Salt-free systems condition water to reduce scale but don’t remove minerals. In Arizona, due to high hardness levels, salt-based softeners are typically more effective. However, we can help you determine the best fit for your home.
7 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, sulfur, and iron. It is necessary to have your well water tested before the proper treatment for your water can be determined.
8 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 rod on a water heater system.
9 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 and irritate 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.
10 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, leave rust-colored stains on clothing, showers, sinks, and fixtures.
11 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.
12Will hard water affect 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.
13Does 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.
Solution? Click here to learn about our water softener systems.
14Soft 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.
15What 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.
Want a Water Softener Installed? Click Here to Request an Estimate
16How does a water softener work?
In most conventional water softeners, water runs through a tank containing resin beads saturated with sodium. When this happens, any calcium and magnesium ions in the water swap with the sodium ions so that by the time the water enters the home it is considered soft water.
Once the resin becomes saturated with the excess minerals drawn out of the water, the water softener must go through a regeneration cycle. During this cycle, sodium-rich water re-saturates the resin and the other excess minerals are flushed out. For the average home, a water softener will regenerate about once per week. The brine yank is where the salty brine solution is generated. The salt mixes with water to create a brine solution that’s flushed through and cleans the resin beads during regeneration. Once completed, the softener resumes normal operation.
Want a Water Softener Installed? Click Here to Request an Estimate
17Is it possible to soften water without using salt?
Salt-free systems, as the name suggests, don’t use salt at all. These systems are not referred to as salt-free water softeners, because they don’t remove any mineral deposits from water. They work by conditioning the excess particles in the water to prevent them from building up on fixtures and appliances.
While these systems may be better for the environment, they may also struggle to keep up with high levels of hardness or larger households with more than average water consumption.
Click here to learn more about our Salt Free Water Systems
18Are water softeners expensive to use?
Not at all. In fact, they save you money over time—by reducing water heating costs up to 29%, lowering soap and detergent usage, and protecting appliances from scale buildup. Want a Water Softener Installed? Click Here to Request an Estimate
19Can 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.
20Do most water softener manufacturers offer a full lifetime warranty?
No, because it’s challenging to anticipate and cover the costs associated with long-term product maintenance and potential unforeseen issues, including changes in the water chemistry. Most water softener companies do offer a limited warranty and satisfaction guarantee.
21What is the best way to have my water tested?
The best way is right at your property. We offer free in-home water testing to assess your specific water quality and recommend a tailored solution. 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.
22Is reverse osmosis water safe to drink?
Yes, reverse osmosis water is safe to drink. If you’re worried about losing natural minerals during the filtration process, you can usually install an additional filter to restore those minerals.
23What is reverse osmosis?
Reverse osmosis systems are one of the most effective home water filtration solutions available. These systems use a semi-permeable membrane to filter out 99% of all contaminants and pollutants, including lead, chlorine, fluoride, nitrates, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. The membrane works by allowing water molecules to pass through while blocking larger particles such as bacteria and viruses. The system is designed to change it from its original form to something safer, healthier, and tastier. It also removes foul odors along the way, making every filtered sip all the more satisfying.
All our RO systems are NSF Certified for quality and safety.
Want Reverse Osmosis system installed for your home or business? Click here
24How long does installation take?
Installation time depends on your home’s setup. A whole-home water softener typically takes about 3 hours, and a reverse osmosis system takes about 1 hour. We’ll confirm everything at your installation appointment.
25Do I need to maintain my system?
Maintenance is minimal. For AO Smith systems, just check and top off the salt in the brine tank every 2–3 months depending on usage. We also recommend an annual RO filter change and a yearly system check to keep everything running smoothly.
We offer salt delivery and optional service plans to keep things easy.
26Do you service what you install?
Absolutely. Clean H20 Pros offers full support before, during, and after your install. Schedule service here.
27Can I get a quote over the phone?
We can give you a rough estimate, but for an accurate quote, we recommend testing your water. That helps us understand your water quality, your usage, and what installation would look like—so we can recommend the right system for your home.
Book a test here.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us or schedule your free water test—our team will help you find the right system for your home or business.
