The answer is yes. The tap water in Austin and nearby areas including Round Rock is safe to drink. However, the area is known for its hard water, which can make the water taste funny. In addition, hard water can leave behind mineral deposits and red stains on fixtures. An effective treatment for hard water is to install a water softener in Austin area homes.
What Causes Hard Water?
As water filters through rock and soil, it can pick up trace amounts of mineral such as calcium and magnesium. Both of these mineral dissolve easily in water, which is why they are the most common minerals in hard water. The hardness of water goes up as the amount of calcium and magnesium increases.
Hard water is actually easy to spot in most households:
- Cleaning becomes much more difficult in the presence of hard water
- Clothing can start to look dingy because soap doesn’t work well with harder water
- Cloudy films may develop on shower doors, bathtubs, and sinks
- Mineral deposits in pipes may reduce water flow
- Your hair may become limp and lifeless from washing in hard water
A Water Softener Is the Answer
To soften the water, you need to get reduce high levels of calcium and magnesium. A water softening system can easily get rid of those minerals. With a softening system, water enters the house and goes through filters. The main tank of the system is filled with tiny beads made of polystyrene. Each of these beads carries a negative charge. When water passes over the beads, the positive charge of the calcium and magnesium gets caught on the negative charge of the bead. The water exiting is softer than that coming in.
The Benefits of Using a Water Softener
Installing a water softener offers many benefits, including:
- Better tasting water
- Cleaner plumbing fixtures
- Softer, cleaner hair, skin, and nails
- Softer, cleaner clothes
Your appliances and bath fixtures will also last longer without the hard mineral deposits leaving their mark. That means that you can wait a few years to replace your washer, dishwasher, water heater, and even the coffee machine.
If you suspect that you have hard water, call American Water at (512) 388-0022 for more information on the many benefits of one of our home water softeners. We offer free in-home water testing and consultations to help you determine which softener will work best for your home.
