Deciding
Do I need a water softener?
You likely need a softener if your water tests above about 7 grains per gallon. In the Bay Area, check your disinfectant as well, because a softener does not treat chloramine.
Signs of hard water
- White scale on faucets, showerheads and kettles
- Spots on glasses and shower doors
- Soap that does not lather well
- A water heater that keeps building up scale
What usually helps
| Your water | What people usually install |
|---|---|
| Hard well or creek water | Softener, often with reverse osmosis |
| Moderately hard, chloraminated | Catalytic carbon, and a softener if scale is a problem |
| Soft, chloraminated | Catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis |
Soft water does not mean there is nothing to treat. See what’s in Bay Area water.
Test before you buy
Utility reports show water where it enters the system. Blends shift by zone and season, so test at your own tap. What a water test costs.
Sources: Angi on water softeners, Angi on testing hardness.
These are published ranges and general guidance, not quotes. In the Bay Area, Soft Patagonian offers free water tests.
Quick answers
What hardness level needs a water softener?
Guides generally treat water above about 7 grains per gallon, or 120 ppm, as hard enough to consider a softener.
Do I need a water softener in the Bay Area?
It depends on your supply. Well water is usually hard, and imported water is softer but often chloraminated. Many homes treat one or the other, so test at your tap.