Do I need a water softener?
No one needs a water softener to make tap water safer. A softener removes the dissolved minerals that make water hard but are not harmful. The hardness of water is different throughout Southern California and depends on the water source.

Before purchasing a water softener, make sure it has a salt efficiency rating of no less than 4,000 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration. Softer water has both good and bad features. Some of the good things include a softer feel to hair and skin, the need to use less dish soap and laundry detergent (because soap lathers more quickly in soft water), and less mineral deposits in pipes and on pots and pans, glasses and cars. However, water softeners add sodium to the water, which may be a concern for people on sodium-restricted diets, and salt discharge can have an adverse impact to our water supplies.

Show All Answers

1. How much water is used in the City of Chino Hills daily?
2. What are the major components of the water distribution system?
3. Does the City utilize recycled water?
4. What makes ice cloudy?
5. Is my water safe to drink?
6. Is my drinking water completely free of microbes?
7. Are all chemicals in my drinking water bad for me?
8. Why does my water have nitrates, and where do nitrates come from?
9. How much lead and copper does my water have?
10. Is fluoride in my drinking water safe?
11. Is water with chlorine safe to drink?
12. How much chlorine do I have in my water?
13. Should I buy bottled water?
14. How can I find out what is in my water?
15. Who is making sure that my water is safe and healthy to drink?
16. What is done to purify the water before it comes out of the tap?
17. Why does my water sometimes look dirty, cloudy or have a funny color?
18. Why does my water sometimes taste or smell funny and is it safe to drink?
19. Why does my water leave spots on my glasses, coffeepot and showerhead?
20. Do I need to purchase a home treatment device to make my tap water safe?
21. Should I boil my water?
22. Do I need a water softener?
23. Can pregnant women drink tap water?
24. Can people with HIV/AIDS or weakened immune systems drink tap water?
25. How do I treat water during an emergency?
26. Who should I call if I have a problem with my tap water?