FAQS
General Water Information
Why should all water have a UV Light as Treatment?
86% of our water is testing positive for Cryptosporidium, in addition to positive tests for Giardia and now Naegleria Fowler (Brain Eating Amoebas). Both Giardia and Crypto have mutated allowing them to slip by Chlorination and Chloramination. These two, if ingested can be deadly and can require prolonged hospitalization. In light cases, they are often misdiagnosed as “food poisoning” Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea. Naegleria is inhaled. Water that is accidently breathed (swimming used to be the main introduction), but as it is now in Municipal water, steam (showers, cooking and humidifiers) can all be a source of introduction into the lungs/brain.
All Certified Water Treatment Manufacturers are recommending that all water sources (well, rain and municipal) should have UV lights on all working water. All pools, spas and hoses where water is being used for play, swim or human interaction, should have a UV light!
All Public Water Providers in their Consumer Confidence Reports – report statements like the following:
“You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; those who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care provider.”
This statement holds them harmless should you become ill or die.
I didn’t know that my water provider must produce an annual water quality report, where do I find these?
All Public Water Suppliers must provide annual water quality reports (consumer confidence reports) and all other notices of non-compliance per TCEQ/EPA. Where they report these are less than obvious. For example Canyon Lake – https://www.clwsc.com/ccr#Water-Quality-Report Then you have to find your service location – I am in Canyon Lake Shores – This will produce an 8 page PDF for you to read.
Finding their notices of violations is alike to catching a greased pig, no telling where and how long they will list these and digging for them at the EPA is mind boggling. The Texas Hill Country Alliance will put together, from time to time, reports of water supplier who have violations on their permits. As we find them we will post them, along with their WQ Reports. These are located, by clicking the service location buttons on the bottom of most of our web pages.
What is hard water?
Water that has a high mineral (dissolved) content – usually calcium and magnesium, iron and manganese. These are measured in grains per gallon (gpg), but can be reported in numerous volumes (ppm, mgl, we have a conversation chart on the hard water page). Slightly hard is 1.0-3.5 gpg, Moderately Hard is 3.5 – 7.0, Hard is 7.0 – 10.5 and Extremely Hard is >10.5. Most of our municipal water is 20-30 gpg and local well water can range from 28-150 gpg. A single softener can remove up to 60 gpg, above that hardness, a dual pass is required. Learn more about Hard Water.
Why does my skin feel slippery after showering with soft water?
This should be a temporary feeling. Skin that has become used to hard water usually has to “self-lubricate” to compensate for the hardness in the water. Your skin is adaptive and after 2 weeks of using soft water this feeling should be gone. If it is not, then you have a softener issue, using too much NACL. Your water is over-soft and not working properly.
Why is my water cloudy?
Cloudy water can be for various reasons. The best way to solve this is with a water test – which is free. Learn more about water clarity.
Should I test my water?
Yes, how often depends on the type of water you have. City water will have a quality report, but this is at the plant, testing what is coming into your home is good practice and should be done every 5 years. Well water should be tested every 6-12 months depending on the age of the well. Wells change all the time. Rainwater should be tested every year. You should have a UV light in your treatment, that light should be changed every 12 months, this is a good time to test the water.
Why is there chlorine in tap water?
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant for most public water. Lately Public Water Suppliers are adding Ammonia to lengthen the disinfection time of chlorine. Chlorine and Chlorine/Ammonia is both a savior and problem. This saves millions of people from waterborne diseases, like cholera, dysentery and typhoid, but chlorine is toxic and its byproducts produce know cancer causing side effects, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic acid (HAAs). To remove the sides effects of Chlorine/Chloramine please install a Catalytic Carbon tank.
Did you know that all people who work with water treatment must be licensed?
Much like any other professional tradesman (Engineer, Plumber, Electrician), Water Treatment workers need to have one of three licenses. Water Treatment Specialist I, II or III and depending on this license, they are restricted to what functions they can perform. This licensing is monitored by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) and each license must be renewed every three years. Along with their renewals, additional levels/hours of training are required. As your water changes, these professionals will be updated and re-trained, as necessary. Ask to see your water treatment professional’s license.
Does Central Texas Water Softeners service areas near me?
Although we are based in Boerne, Texas, we service many cities near you in the Texas Hill County including Bandera, Blanco, Boerne, Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Comfort ,Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Fischer, Fredericksburg, Helotes, Henly, Horseshoe Bay, Hye, Johnson City, Kendalia, Kerrville, Kyle, Luchenbach, Marble Falls, Morris Ranch, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Sisterdale, Spring Branch, Stonewall, Wimberley, and surrounding areas. If you are not sure if we service where you live, just give us a call at 830.730.6799 or send us a message.