Osceola County Water Treatment FAQs

faqs about water treatment systems in Osceola CountyQ: How hard is my water?

A: The level of water hardness is based upon the amount of dissolved minerals. We are specifically talking about Magnesium and Calcium. Water hardness is usually measured in Grains per Gallon or Parts per Million (1 GPG = 17.1 ppm). In the Central Florida region, water hardness levels are typically above 10 GPG and in many cases in Osceola, Orange, Brevard, Seminole and Polk counties, levels are much higher. The National Water Quality Association standards are that water over 10 GPG is considered very hard. 

Q: Can hard water actually harm my home?

A: Water hardness scale can build up on everything from appliances, your plumbing and definitely your hot water heater. You can see the buildup on your glasses and dishes everytime you use your dishwasher or kitchen sink, but what happens inside your appliances and plumbing can often go unnoticed. Scale builds up rapidly in dishwashers and ice makers, not to mention inside toilets and on top of sinks. Continuous laundering in hard water can damage fibers in your clothes and shorten the life of that clothing by nearly 50%. Hard water damages and shortens the life of about everything it comes in contact with.

Q: Is there an actual measurement of how hard my water is??

A: We can send out a technician and test your water at no charge. Of course.. we'll share the numbers with you right then!

Q: What is the difference between a water softener, a water filter, and a water conditioner system?

A: A water softener and conditioner are specifically water treatment systems designed to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium carbonate dissolved in your water with either sodium chloride or potassium chloride. A water filtration system, as in reverse osmosis,  will significantly reduce or remove chemicals like chlorine, toxic pesticides, bacteria, and suspended particles like sand and  other sediments. A water filter will not remove dissolved solids, hard water as described above.

Q: Why do I want to soften my water?

A: Softened water greatly reduces mineral and scale buildup on pipes, appliances, cookware, glasses, sinks and more. You'll also find that when you do laundry, wash your hair, or wash dishes, you'll use less laundry soap, dishwashing soap or hand cleansing soap. You'll find that most appliances will last longer when using softened water.

Q: Why does softened water feel so silky?

A: When you wash your skin with unsoftened "hard" water, naturally found minerals and deposits are left on your skin. People often describe the feeling as squeaky clean... but with softened water, the soap residue is completely rinsed away leaving just the silky feel of your skin. It's what Dependable Water and WTW and C&I of Central Florida do best!

Q: Do I have to use salt?

A: No you do not. There are options and alternatives to sodium that produce the same effect. The best salt-based alternative is potassium chloride. This is just as effective and efficient as regular salt, but adds potassium instead of sodium. The only negative  to using potassium chloride is that it costs much more than using regular softener water softener salt.

Q: Can I count on a reverse osmosis system to remove salt from softened water?

A: Our amazing state-of-the-art Reverse Osmosis systems all remove about 99.9% of the minerals found in water.

Q: What should I look for in a water softener system?

A: A major feature you should look for is always capacity (measured in grains) and how the system determines when it will regenerate. Our water systems vary from a 20,000 - 300,000 grain capacity and determines when to regenerate by water usage. Some of the systems do however regenerate according to a fixed period of time. Ask us for a reccomendation according to your specific situation and need.

Q: Do you recommend that we pursue a two tank system as opposed to a one tank system?

A: Salt water inside the brine tank is naturally corrosive as salt always is. As Central Floridians we realzie the corrosive nature of Salt as we are not far from the oceans no matter where in Central Florida we live. A single-tank system is set up with the controls very close to the sodium. Dependable Water Treatment and WTW CT&I feel that it is more advantageous to keep the electronics sections of our water treatment systems away from the actual corrosive nature of the salt. Salt tanks also need to be cleaned periodically. A single-tank system would have to be uninstalled in order to be cleaned efficiently and effectively. We consider this to sufficient cause to recommend to our clients that they heavily consider a dual, or 2 tank system.

Q: When should I place my Central Florida water softener or water purification system in bypass?

A: On almost all water treatment systems, you will find a bypass valve near the top or rear of the system next to a portion of the plumbing. Setting a system into bypass may be due to the water treatment system haveing an issue or a need for maintenance and you need to cease the water from flowing into the home. Most units tell you which direction to set the valve to put the watwer treatment system into bypass. It's a very simple process normally. At times homeowners choose to set their systems into bypass to water lawns or expend great amounts of water and are looking to save their water systems from filtering the above average usage.

As you can see.... choosing and maintaining your water softener, water conditioner and water purification system in Osceola, Orange, Brevard and Seminole County can be somewhat complicated. Choose the water treatment company that is named for its highest quality... dependability. 

Trust that we are here to serve Central Florida's water treatment needs with the highest quality technicians and support staff possible. Call 407-242-7150 today!