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Do We Have Hard Water?
Do We Have Hard Water?
Calgary’s water comes from the Bow and Elbow Rivers. As the water travels through the surrounding landscape, it dissolves naturally occurring calcium and magnesium from rocks such as limestone. These minerals make Calgary’s water hard—safe to drink, but often responsible for white spots, scale buildup on fixtures and appliances, and difficulty creating a good soap lather.
Signs You May Notice
Signs You May Notice
Appliance wear
Scale on faucets and Glass
Soap that does not lather well
Spots on dishes
How it Works
How it Works
As hard water flows through the softener, calcium and magnesium minerals are drawn to the resin beads. Through a process called ion exchange, the resin releases a small amount of sodium and captures the hardness minerals instead. The result is softened water that helps reduce scale buildup, water spots, and wear on fixtures and appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary Water Safe?
Yes! Calgary’s tap water meets or exceeds all strict Canadian drinking water standards. However, it is delivered to your home with common "nuisance contaminants"—primarily hard minerals and chlorine—which affect taste, scale buildup, and pipe longevity.
Does a Softener Remove Chlorine?
No—softeners target mineral scale, not chemicals. To tackle chlorine, we can pair softeners with whole-home carbon filters (for chlorine-free showers and taps) or Reverse Osmosis systems (for ultra-pure drinking water).
What Size Do I Need?
Most homes in Calgary perform best with a 1.5 ft³ (45K grain) softener. However, the ideal size depends on several factors, including the number of people in your home, daily water usage, and plumbing size. Don't worry—we carefully calculate and verify the exact size you need as part of our free, no-obligation estimate.
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