Do I Need a Water Softener in Orange County, California?
Living in an area with hard water can look like this: scrubbing your dishes endlessly, searching high and low for a shampoo that won’t dry your hair (your home’s water is probably to blame), and having the idea of paying thousands of dollars to a plumber for repairs looming over your head.
If you’ve struggled with hard water in your Orange County home, you’re probably debating whether to purchase a water softener or continue dealing with it. We get it.
You don’t need us to tell you that Orange County is quite large, so we’re going to break down the water hardness levels in different areas to help you best make a decision.
Filter Smart believes that you should be smart by making informed decisions about something as crucial as your home’s water. Let’s dive into whether you need a water softener in your Orange County, California home:
How Hard Is Orange County’s Water?
Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon of water (known as gpg). Here’s a water hardness scale to get a clearer picture of what specific numbers mean when it comes to water hardness levels:
- Anything less than 1 grain per gallon is considered soft
- Slightly hard: 1 - 3.5 grains per gallon
- Moderately hard: 3.5 - 7 grains per gallon
- Hard: 7 - 10 grains per gallon
- Very hard: anything over 10 grains per gallon
Since Orange County is so widespread, it’s impossible for experts to measure the entire county’s water hardness levels. California water typically falls between the “hard” to “very” hard range. Orange County is no exception. The City of Anaheim acknowledges that its water is considered “very hard” at 18 grains per gallon.
The City of Orange attributes the city’s hard water to its sources: “Orange generally uses water from the Colorado River, Northern California, and local wells. Water use is alternated throughout the year. Because water is blended from a variety of sources, you may notice spotting on glassware more during the winter.”
The City of Irvine doesn’t seem to be completely transparent about its water hardness online; they do point out that the city’s water is completely safe to use and drink.
One Irvine resident shares their firsthand experience with their home’s hard water — demonstrating how just because water is deemed “safe” doesn’t mean it isn’t problematic.
The Reddit user said, “The water is exceptionally hard in Irvine (at least where I’m at). I have bad skin issues with eczema, and upon moving here I immediately had skin flare ups that I haven’t had in years. A water softener helped in a huge way, I’ve had skin issues my whole life and have never needed one before. Luckily it worked great.”
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t really matter where you live in Orange County because all residents have hard water in their homes if not treated with a water softener.
Why Should I Get a Water Softener in Orange County, California?
Hard water may be safe to drink, but it can still cause a slew of problems (leaving you with an unnecessary headache). According to McGill University, hard water can interfere with soaps and detergents — resulting in deposits of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and magnesium hydroxide inside pipes and boilers. This mineral build-up in your home’s plumbing system causes lower water flows and less efficient heating.
It doesn’t stop there. The ions in hard water can also corrode metal pipes through galvanic corrosion. Installing a whole-home water softener will protect your home’s plumbing and appliances from unnecessary mineral build-up that could leave you with pricey repairs.
Like the Irvine resident referenced above, some Orange County residents may decide to get a whole-home water softener specifically to benefit their skin’s health and appearance. Water that goes through a water softener won’t leave your skin feeling dry or itchy!
Filter Smart’s salt-free water softeners are environmentally friendly, don’t require electricity, and have up to 99% scale reduction. The reusable tank is guaranteed for life and maintenance is simple, making it easier than ever to enjoy soft water in your Orange County home.
Want to Get More Involved with Water Issues in Orange County?
If you’re interested in water issues that affect Orange County, you can check out the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County (WACO). This committee conducts monthly meetings on the first Friday of every month at 7:30 AM at the Fountain Valley headquarters of the Municipal Water District of Orange County and Orange County Water District. If you can’t attend the meetings, you can check out Zoom recordings on their website.
While you can have a say in important water issues affecting your community through WACO, the first change starts right at home. Purchase a water softener for your Orange County home to enjoy high-quality water that won’t damage your skin, plumbing, or appliances.
