Salt and pepper. Bread and butter. Some things are just better together.
The same rings true with home water treatment technology. Pairing a reverse osmosis drinking water system with a water softener provides the purest, most refreshing water for your home.
Home Water Treatment Systems
When it comes to home water filtration, there are different layers of treatment that address different water quality issues.
1. Reverse Osmosis Purifies
A reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system makes your drinking and cooking water safe by filtering out lead, nitrates, and other impurities. Even if your water comes from a municipal water supplier, your water will taste better because an RO system also removes chlorine.
At Secondwind Water Systems, we install Kinetico reverse osmosis drinking water systems. The Kinetico Drinking Water Station, which is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, removes more impurities than any other reverse osmosis system, and has earned the organization’s highest ranking.
2. Water Softeners Remove Unwanted Minerals
Already have a reverse osmosis drinking water system? Great! But don’t stop there.
If you live in New England, most homes have hard water, which requires another layer of treatment. Hard water may contain dissolved calcium, magnesium, and iron, whether it comes from a private well or a municipality.
The Tell-Tale Signs of Hard Water
- Deposits on shower heads, faucets, and fixtures
- Soap scum build-up in sinks, tubs, and showers
- Spotty dishes and glassware
- Weak water pressure
- Soapy film on skin after bathing
- Reduced effectiveness of soaps and detergents
- Dingy laundry
Why You Need Both
While your RO system will purify your water, it will not prevent the damage hard water causes to your fixtures and water-using appliances. “Over time, hard water damages the RO membrane,” explains Christine Fletcher, president and founder of Secondwind Water Systems.
Your RO membrane will last longer if you soften your water. Pair your reverse osmosis system with a Kinetico softener, and Kinetico will extend the warranty on your K5 membrane to 10 years.
They Work Better Together
A water softener protects your reverse osmosis system by removing scale-forming elements like calcium and magnesium before they ever reach it. Water softening can add slightly higher levels of sodium to the water. (How high these levels are depends on how hard your water is).
But this is where the partnership really shines. Not only does your water softener benefit your reverse osmosis systems, but the reverse osmosis system removes the sodium added by the water softener.
Get the Best Water for Your Family
Pairing reverse osmosis with a water softener provides the best water for your whole house—pure, sodium-free drinking water and great soft water for use throughout your home. The combination also protects your investment by protecting your equipment.
