For all that’s great about living in the desert southwest, nobody claims that the same can be said about the tap water. Many of the first home improvements people make in this region center around water filtration systems.

Although the water in Scottsdale meets all the health standards, it also meets the hardest water classification as established by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). They describe any water with more than 250 milligrams per liter as very hard. Scottsdale water routinely exceeds this level.

Hard water isn’t classified as a quality issue. Instead, jurisdictions consider it an aesthetic. Homeowners, on the other hand, usually classify it as a major nuisance. It makes gardening more difficult, clogs pipes, builds deposits on plumbing fixtures, shortens the life of appliances, and ups the usage of all kinds of soaps and detergents.

Improving Water Quality with Filtration

The most common kinds of water filtration systems used in the Valley are reverse osmosis (RO) systems. They are capable of trapping the dissolved solids in the water that contribute to hard water as well as other contaminants like organic and inorganic chemicals, pollutants, microbes, particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Normally people put RO systems in the garage where they’re easy to maintain.

Benefits of Filtration for Appliances

Hard water shortens the lives of water-using appliances, especially storage tank water heaters. This appliance is particularly vulnerable because water sits in it for hours at a time, doesn’t circulate and stays hot. Eventually, the dissolved solids in the water settle at the bottom of the tank where they collect. After enough collect, they slow the water heating process and contribute to interior tank corrosion.

bathroom with tiled stand alone shower reflected in mirror

Water spots and films won’t cover the dishes coming out of the dishwasher. The white hard water deposits won’t form on the faucets, sinks, and tubs. Shower doors will be easier to clean without the rock-hard mineral deposits from the water building on them.

Plumbing Fixtures

Home improvements that include water filtration and treatment often pay for themselves in the labor and materials they save. Soap consumption greatly decreases when the dissolved solids in the water fall and fewer hard water deposits form inside the pipes.

Health Protection

The city of Scottsdale makes every effort to keep the water within federal and state standards at its Water Quality Laboratory by monitoring for organic and inorganic compounds, as well as metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This laboratory exceeds national and state standards for water quality analysis. In spite of this state-of-the-art facility, sometimes contamination does happen.

With whole-house filtration, you won’t have to worry about internal consumption or skin contact with bacteria, viruses or chemicals. An RO filter for your home will trap nearly every water-borne particle from organic and inorganic compounds. RO systems also remove VOCs found in tap water that are just as hazardous to drink as they are to breathe. They also remove sulfates, which are another common compound found in Scottsdale’s water supply.

What you save in bottled water or stand-alone water filters will quickly make up for the cost of a whole-house filtration system. Being able to drink from the tap is also much more convenient. There is no longer a need for water deliveries with this solution. Plus you can replace commercially bottled water with a more environmentally friendly, refillable water bottle.

Installing Water Filtration

If you have the need for water filtration or you’re planning a custom home, give the pros at Alair Homes a call. We work with all brands and types of filtration systems to ensure you have the highest quality water in your home for your family’s health and convenience.