Our great-great-great-great-grandparents knew well the worth of soft water when they collected rainwater for washing laundry. But, with all of the 20th century progress, conveniences and appliances, we seem to have forgotten the value of softened water.

Quite simply, hard water will eventually harm plumbing and fixtures, appliances and other household objects. An American Water Works Association report showed that without a water softener, the life of water heaters are cut in half, of toilet flushing units by 70 %, of faucets by 40 % and of dishwashers and washing machines by 30%. Plus a Purdue University research team found in 1990 that hard water can shorten the life of fabrics by as much as 15% and dull their appearance.

Hardness or softness aside, in these economic times, doesn't it make sense to save money as well as to emulate the wisdom of our ancestors?

What you see is not necessary what you get in that glass of water. It is free of bacteria, courtesy of your local utility company but it may damage household appliances, which become noticeable and expensive to repair.

What you may observe is the grayish tinge to laundry that won't wash or bleach out or spots and streaks on glassware and silverware. You will notice ugly white deposits inside teakettles and coffeemakers, humidifiers and hot water heaters or streaking on shower doors and etching on sink and tub faucets. Dry, itchy skin and freshly washed hair that never seems quite clean are also the result of hard water.

Hard water flows into about 85% of American homes. What causes that hardness in water is the presence of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate (or dissolved solids). When hard water recedes or rushes through pipes, these minerals become an almost insoluble limestone; hence, the white scaly deposits among other problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended guidelines, not rules, for total dissolved solids in drinking water. It is up to individual states to enforce and regulate these guidelines.

Eventually hard water will harm plumbing and fixtures, appliances and other household objects. Reducing the hardness of water has nothing to do with the purity of drinking water, but it can have a great impact on your home.

Test your water: If you are not certain about the hardness of your water either bring a sample of it into our Fort Myers store for a complete water analysis or one of our certified water treatment professionals can test it right in your home. After your water test results are known, our Water Quality Association certified professionals can advise you on the best treatment alternatives to solve your problem.