Water Softeners vs. Water Filters: What You Need to Know

December 6, 2021

Every homeowner wants clean, tasty water that’s safe for their family to consume. If you have questions about the quality of the water, you may be wondering what the role of a water softener is versus that of a water filter. Know that the two are different and serve different functions.

Let’s look at what each of these products does and which one might be right for you.

Water softener

A water softener is specifically for removing minerals from water. You may have heard the term hard water before. This refers to the level of certain minerals in water like calcium and magnesium. If you’ve noticed excess soap scum accumulating in the sinks or tubs, or if the water in your shower dries your skin out, your home probably has hard water.

A water softener will remove the calcium, magnesium and other minerals that are responsible for hard water. They do so by using an ion exchange that acts like a chemical magnet. This should eliminate spots on dishes, soap scum and clogged pipes that are issues with hard water. However, softeners don’t target contaminants that water filtration systems do.

Water filter

Water filters or purification systems serve a different function. While most tap water in the U.S. is technically safe to drink, many people seek better tasting water that has an even lower risk to their health. A water filtration system can help you achieve that.

These systems remove all of the following potentially harmful materials that can find their way into your water:

  • Chlorine and chloramine
  • Perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid
  • Sediments and particulates
  • Pesticides, hormones and other industrial or pharmaceutical byproducts
  • Metals including cadmium, lead, copper and iron

This results in great tasting, clean water that will be better for you and your family’s health. There are two primary types of filtration systems that homeowners use:

  • Reverse osmosis (RO) systems: These remove dissolved solids and contaminants that have bypassed municipal systems and end up in your water. This is an under-the-sink solution that treats a home’s drinking water.
  • Whole-home filtration systems: These also provide clean, fresh, safe drinking water but treat all the water coming into the home. With these systems, you don’t need to worry if it’s from the bathroom sink or the kitchen sink—all the water is treated to a high standard.

The right choice for your home

Ultimately, it comes down to what problem you’re looking to solve. If you don’t want to deal with the hassles of hard water anymore, then you may want to invest in a water softener. Filtration systems are for those who are looking for water that tastes great and is guaranteed to be safe.

No matter what water treatment you’re looking for, WES Water is here to help. Our mission is to deliver the highest standards of excellence in water treatment products and services. Whether you need a filter, softener or anything else, we’re ready to serve you. Contact us today to learn more and request a free quote.

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