Clean, pure water is essential for our health and well-being. Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are a popular and effective solution for removing contaminants and impurities from your water supply. In this blog post, we will delve into the science behind RO filters and how they work to provide you with clean, safe drinking water, inspired by the expertise of Simple Water Softeners.

1. Understanding Reverse Osmosis:

A. What is Reverse Osmosis?: Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities and contaminants from water. It works by applying pressure to force water molecules through the membrane, leaving behind contaminants.

B. The Importance of Water Filtration: Water filtration is essential for removing contaminants, such as lead, chlorine, from your water supply. These contaminants can negatively impact your health and the taste and odor of your water. Reverse osmosis filters are a highly effective solution for addressing these issues.

2. The Reverse Osmosis Filtration Process:

A. Pre-filtration: Before water reaches the RO membrane, it passes through a series of pre-filters. These filters remove larger particles, such as sediment and silt, and reduce chlorine levels to protect the delicate RO membrane.

B. The RO Membrane: The heart of the reverse osmosis system is the semipermeable membrane. As water passes through this membrane under pressure, contaminants are blocked and flushed away, while clean water molecules pass through to the other side.

C. Post-filtration: After passing through the RO membrane, water may undergo additional post-filtration to further improve taste and quality. This stage often includes activated carbon filters, which remove any remaining impurities and enhance the flavor of the water. Other remineralization filters to put back good minerals.

3. Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Filters:

A. Superior Water Quality: RO filters effectively remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, chlorine, ensuring clean, safe drinking water.

B. Improved Taste and Odor: The filtration process removes contaminants that can cause unpleasant tastes and odors, resulting in fresh, great-tasting water.

C. Cost Savings: Using an RO filter can save you money on bottled water, reducing plastic waste and lowering your environmental impact. No microplastics.

D. Low Maintenance: RO filters require minimal maintenance, with filter changes needed only every six months to two years, depending on the system and usage.

4. Choosing the Right Reverse Osmosis Filter:

A. Assess Your Water Quality: Before selecting an RO filter, it’s essential to determine how many stages you need.

B. Size and Space Considerations: Consider the size of the RO system and the space available for installation. Some systems are designed to fit under your sink.

C. Capacity and Flow Rate: Evaluate the capacity and recovery rate of the RO filter to ensure it meets your household’s water consumption needs.

D. Expert Assistance: Consult with a water treatment professional, such as Simple Water Softeners, to help you choose the right RO system for your home.

Reverse osmosis filters are a powerful solution for providing clean, safe drinking water in your home. By understanding the science behind these systems and considering your specific water quality needs, you can select the right RO filter for your household. For expert advice and assistance in choosing the perfect reverse osmosis system, contact Lisa at Simple Water Softeners, your trusted source for water treatment solutions.

Are you tired of dealing with the effects of hard water in your home? You may be considering a water softener but feel overwhelmed by the choices between salt-based and salt-free systems. Why should you carry bags of salt if there is a salt-free alternative, right? Before making a decision, it’s crucial to understand how these systems work and their benefits and limitations.

Salt-Based Water Softeners: Ion Exchange Process

A salt-based water softener employs an ion exchange process to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water. As the water flows through the resin tank, calcium ions are swapped with sodium ions, preventing the hard minerals from entering your home’s plumbing.

When the resin beads become saturated with calcium, the system enters a regeneration phase. During this process, brine water is drawn into the water softener, releasing the calcium from the resin beads, which is then flushed down the drain. The system returns to its softening function, reducing the hardness of your water significantly. In San Antonio, where the average hardness is 20 grains per gallon, a salt-based softener can reduce it to 1 grain per gallon or less.

Salt-Free Water Conditioners: A Different Approach

It’s essential to note that salt-free systems are not water softeners, but water conditioners. Instead of removing hard minerals, they alter the water’s chemistry, preventing calcium and magnesium from sticking to your pipes and appliances. However, this means that the water entering your home remains hard.

The calcium still exists in the water droplets, which can leave white residue on shower doors, dishes, and laundry. In San Antonio, where water hardness can exceed 20 grains per gallon, a salt-free system might not provide the desired results. In areas with less hardness, salt-free conditioners could offer satisfactory outcomes.

Choose the Right System for Your Needs

When deciding between a salt-based or salt-free water treatment system, consider your location, water hardness levels, and desired results. If you’re unsure which system is best for your home, consult with a water treatment professional for guidance.

For more information about our Water Softeners, feel free to call us at (210) 960-2555 or email us at lisa@simplewatersofteners.com.

Low water pressure in your home can be frustrating and inconvenient, impacting everything from showering to washing dishes. If you’ve noticed fluctuating water pressure or a sudden drop in pressure, your water softener might be the culprit. In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between water pressure and water softeners, as well as provide guidance on troubleshooting and resolving the issue.

1. Bypassing the Water Softener: If you’re experiencing low or inconsistent water pressure, the first step is to bypass your water softener. By doing so, you’ll be able to determine if the issue is related to the softener or if there’s another problem at hand. If your water pressure returns to normal after bypassing the softener, it’s likely that the issue lies within the softening system.
2. Understanding Resin Issues: Water softeners contain resin beads inside the tank, which help remove hard minerals from your water supply. Over time, the resin can degrade and become less effective, turning into a jelly-like consistency that obstructs water flow and reduces pressure. If your water pressure issues seem to come and go over a period of days, it’s possible that your resin is beginning to fail.
3. Regeneration and Deteriorating Resin: When your water softener regenerates, it cleans the resin beads and temporarily restores water pressure. However, if the resin is deteriorating, the pressure will likely decrease again within a few days. As the resin continues to degrade, you may notice a more significant drop in water pressure. In such cases, it’s essential to schedule a resin replacement for your water softener.
4. High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Softeners: If you own a high-quality water softener, finding a professional to replace the resin should be relatively easy. However, if you have a lower-end unit, it might be more cost-effective to retire the softener and invest in a new, higher-quality system.
5. When to Call for Help: If bypassing your water softener doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s essential to contact your water company to investigate any possible problems on their end. In case of sudden, unusual low water pressure, it’s always best to consult a professional to diagnose and address the issue.

Low water pressure can be a significant inconvenience, but understanding the role of your water softener in the problem can help you find a solution. If you suspect that your water softener is causing pressure fluctuations or sudden drops in pressure, don’t hesitate to call Lisa at (210) 960-2555 for expert advice and assistance in resolving the issue. With the right approach, you can restore your home’s water pressure and enjoy the full benefits of your water softening system.

Activated carbon filters are a great way to remove contaminants from your drinking water and other water sources. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to remove a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, organic compounds, and heavy metals. This blog post will discuss the many benefits of using activated carbon filters and what contaminants they can remove from water. Read on to learn more about how these powerful filters can help keep your water clean and safe to drink.

What is an Activated Carbon Filter?

Activated carbon filters, also known as activated charcoal filters, are a type of water filter that utilizes activated carbon in order to remove impurities from the water. Activated carbon works through adsorption, meaning it attracts and captures organic chemicals, toxins, and other contaminants from the water. The result is pure, clean water that is free from many of the contaminants that can be present in tap water.

Activated carbon filters come in a variety of forms, ranging from small filter pitchers that you can use to purify drinking water to large systems that are used in homes and businesses to provide clean water throughout an entire building. No matter what size or type of filter you choose, the activated carbon within will work to remove contaminants and leave you with cleaner, tastier water.

How Does an Activated Carbon Filter Work?

Activated carbon filters are an efficient and effective way to remove a wide range of contaminants from water. The filter works by using the physical properties of activated carbon to adsorb contaminants, meaning that they stick to the surface of the filter and are trapped there. 

Activated carbon filters are made up of tiny activated carbon particles that create a porous surface. As water passes through the filter, the contaminants are attracted to and held onto the activated carbon particles due to their high surface area and strong electrical attraction. This process is known as adsorption, and it allows the filter to remove a wide range of contaminants including chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and organic compounds.

The effectiveness of activated carbon filters depends on the size of the particles used in the filter and the amount of time the water spends in contact with the filter. The larger the activated carbon particles, the more effective the filter will be. Additionally, water must spend enough time in contact with the filter for the contaminants to be properly adsorbed. 

In order for an activated carbon filter to be effective, it must be changed regularly, as the filter can become clogged over time and may not effectively remove contaminants if it is not replaced. By replacing your activated carbon filter regularly, you can ensure that it is effectively removing contaminants from your water supply.

What Contaminants Can Activated Carbon Remove from Water?

Activated carbon is an incredibly powerful filter for water, as it can remove a wide variety of contaminants from the water. Some of the most common contaminants that activated carbon filters remove include chlorine, chloramine, herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Chlorine and chloramine are commonly used to disinfect drinking water. Unfortunately, they can have adverse health effects if ingested in large quantities. Activated carbon filters effectively remove these chemicals from water, making it safe to drink. 

Herbicides and pesticides are frequently used in agricultural and urban areas. These chemicals can leach into drinking water and cause health issues if ingested in large quantities. Fortunately, activated carbon filters are incredibly effective at removing these chemicals from water. 

Pharmaceuticals are commonly used drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, steroids, and other compounds. These chemicals can enter drinking water supplies from sewage treatment plants or from manufacturing processes. Fortunately, activated carbon filters are very effective at removing these compounds from water. 

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large family of chemical compounds that can easily evaporate at room temperature. Common VOCs include benzene, trichloroethylene, and other petroleum-based compounds. Activated carbon is highly effective at removing VOCs from drinking water, making it safer to drink. 

Overall, activated carbon filters provide a powerful filtration solution for many kinds of contaminants. These filters can effectively remove chlorine, chloramine, herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and VOCs from drinking water. Activated carbon is an important tool for ensuring that your drinking water is safe and free of dangerous contaminants.

An activated carbon filter can be a great way to make sure your water is safe and free of contaminants. It’s important to find the right filter for your needs, and a whole house filtration system is a great option if you want to make sure that all the water in your home is filtered. A whole house filtration system will provide you with consistent, clean water throughout your home, making sure all your faucets are free of contaminants. Investing in a quality activated carbon filter is an investment in your health, and it’s worth it.

If you want more information about the benefits and information, please call Lisa at (210) 960-2555 or email us at lisa@simplewatersofteners.com.

Chlorine and chloramine are both disinfectants used in water treatment systems, but they can have negative effects on your health and the environment. Installing a Whole House Filtration System can help reduce or eliminate these contaminants and provide you with clean and safe water. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of a Whole House Filtration System and how it can help you get rid of chlorine or chloramine in your water in San Antonio, Texas.

Why you might have chlorine or chloramine in your water

Chlorine and chloramine are both commonly used to disinfect water for drinking. Chlorine has been the traditional choice for disinfection for decades. Both chemicals have their advantages and disadvantages. Chlorine is highly effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. The downside of chlorine is that it can form byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs) when it reacts with naturally occurring organic matter. These THMs have been linked to cancer and other health problems.

In San Antonio, both chlorine and chloramine are used in the water supply. This means that residents may be drinking chlorinated drinking water that contains THMs from the chlorine or chloraminated water that is less effective at killing bacteria and viruses.

What are the effects of chlorine or chloramine in your water

Chlorine and chloramine have been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer and other health problems. Furthermore, drinking chlorinated water can lead to dry and itchy skin, eye irritation, and upset stomach. It is therefore important to ensure that you are drinking safe, clean water free from chlorine and chloramine. While boiling your water may help reduce levels of chlorine and chloramine, it does not completely remove them from your water.

How a Whole House Filtration System can help

A Whole House Filtration System is the ideal solution to getting rid of chlorine or chloramine in your water in San Antonio, Texas. A Whole House Filtration System works by removing both chlorine and chloramine from your water. This type of filtration system uses a combination of various filters to remove contaminants, such as sediment, debris, rust particles, chlorine, chloramines, and other harmful particles. As a result, you can be sure that the water you’re drinking is safe and clean.

A Whole House Filtration System also provides a great way to disinfect water, as it removes bacteria and other microorganisms from the water before it enters your home. This helps to keep your home and family safe from potential health risks associated with drinking contaminated water. Furthermore, it also ensures that your water tastes better as chlorine and chloramine are often responsible for an unpleasant smell and taste.

Installing a Whole House Filtration System is a great way to make sure that your drinking water is safe and clean. By doing so, you can be confident that you and your family are protected from the potentially harmful effects of chlorinated drinking water. This is especially important if you have children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of chlorine or chloramine in their water supply. With a Whole House Filtration System, you can rest assured that your drinking water is free of these chemicals and other contaminants, making it a much safer and healthier choice for you and your family.

Why a Whole House Filtration System is the best solution

Whole house filtration systems are designed to treat all the water in your home, providing you with clean, disinfected drinking water. This means that you will not only have safe drinking water, but also the peace of mind knowing that your shower and bath water is free of these contaminants.

A whole house filtration system will also offer superior protection when it comes to water disinfection. While traditional water treatment methods such as boiling and chlorinating can provide some level of disinfection, a whole house filtration system is much more effective at removing bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants from your water supply. This is important for protecting your family’s health and keeping your home’s plumbing system safe from potential damage due to the presence of chlorine or chloramine.

Additionally, a whole house filtration system is easy to maintain and cost-effective in the long run. The filters can be easily replaced when necessary, allowing you to keep the system running at peak performance while ensuring your family’s safety. By investing in a whole house filtration system, you can enjoy clean, healthy chlorinated drinking water without worrying about the effects of chlorine or chloramine in your water supply.

If you want more information about the benefits and information about installing a whole house filtration for your home  please call Lisa at (210) 960-2555 or email us at lisa@simplewatersofteners.com.

Your pets know water. Let’s face it, their nose is better than yours. Pets will drink the water from your tap if you give it to them, they need water. But do they like it. Ask yourself, do you like it? Probably not. Just as hard water will not hurt a human, it does not hurt your pet. But just like you, if your pet liked their water, they would drink more water. And we all know the more water we drink, the healthier we are. Not many of us drink enough water. But if you like the water you are drinking, you will find you will drink more. Our fur babies will feel the same way.

How do we make it to where our pets will like their water?

First, if we add a whole house filter, they will. This will remove the chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and organics. The chlorine is the big thing, the bad smell is gone.  Pets love Reverse Osmosis water. This is the next level up, reverse osmosis is bottle quality water. Same process as Dasani, Aquafina, Smart this water goes through a membrane filtering out 97.5% of everything.

Why Filtered Water Is Better

Filtered water also protects your pet from hazardous bacterial contamination such as giardia and cryptosporidium which can be present in poorly treated tap water. Overall, filtered water for pets will not only keep them healthy but provide them with clean, refreshing drinking water.

Just remember water is healthy for your pet, so Simple Water Softeners can come up with a solution for it. For more information about our Water Filtration please call Lisa at (210) 960-2555.

Water softener will remove the calcium and magnesium from the water. Make it to where you have soft water coming into the house. To remove the hardness prior to coming into the house it will have to be a salt based system.

Water conditioner. Many call this a salt free water softener but it is not a water softener. This unit adds chemicals to your water and it helps it from sticking to pipes and water heaters. But if your water is 18 grains hard it will still be 18 grains hard coming out of the shower head, into the dishwasher and laundry. If your water is less than 6 you can consider.

Whole House Filters are to remove chemicals from your water. Carbon can substantially remove a vast amount. Whole house filters are carbon based and come many different ways. Size will matter for the flow rate it is to be working on. Smaller individual filters will be used on reverse osmosis. It will take larger filters in a actual tank to do a household. There is different types of carbon for different types of disinfecting chemicals the cities use. Carbon does need to be maintained to work properly.

Media Filters. These filters are your primary filter to trap debris and other solid material. This woven filter is similar to an air filter for your furnace. A media filter, which is similar to a window screen that prevents leaves from getting into your home through the windows, is your first line defense against dirty water.

Reverse Osmosis Filters. RO filters can be used to purify water from the tap and are placed under the kitchen sink. Same process the bottle water companies use. Just shrunk up and put under the sink with additional faucet to get the water. These filters block more contaminants, such as lead and VOCs.  Simple Water Softeners system has 6 stages of filtration.

Iron Breaker. Different medias remove different things. Sulphur, Nitrates or iron.

No matter what your issues are with your water, Simple Water Softeners can come up with a solution for it. For more information about our Water Filtration please call Lisa at (210) 960-2555.