Water, whether you drink from your faucet, your fridge or a pre-packaged bottle is not what it used to be. We as consumers can tell by key factors like taste, smell and even appearance.

We have talked about what’s in your water. We have talked about how cities are trying to decontaminate it and what those decontaminates are like chlorine. We have talked about how they are affecting your plumbing and even a few ways to prevent that water from entering your home like with a whole house filter system.

What we haven’t talked about is exactly what contaminates are in your water, let alone what household items are flowing with that water around in your pipes.

A recent article by Readers Digest released what is truly in our tap water. “60,000 chemicals are used across the country—and can get into our drinking water—though the EPA enforces limits on fewer than 100.” Out of what was found, some could be expected like animal waste and pesticides especially around smaller, rural towns. Others, like medical waste, arsenic and rocket fuel were a bit more of a shock. The largest shock was how much was slipping through the checks and straight into our homes.

We’ll tell you here, exactly whats in our water and floating around with it in the sewers…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPFjP9H63zw[/youtube]

Have any questions about whats in your water? Call us at Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber today at 602-485-1111. Mention this Blog post, and we’ll even come out and check the quality of your water for FREE!

Hard Water, Smelly Water, Bad Tasting Water, Scaly Water.   Does any of this sound familiar? Every city near Phoenix Arizona is ranked nationally as having the hardest water in the country.  Water Quality Reports show hard to very hard readings throughout Maricopa County.  Here are a few city’s water hardness reports: 

• Mesa  2009 Water Quality   Avg 10.4  gr/gal in the city, 17.1 gr/gal in the East Zone
• Avondale 2009 Water Quality  21 gr/gal
• Phoenix 2010 Water Quality  10-18 gr/gal
• Tempe 2009 Water Quality  9.9-13.3 gr/gal
• Gilbert 2007 Water Quality 2.3 – 18.7 gr/gal
• Chandler Water Quality  5-20 gr/gal
• Scottsdale 2010 Water Quality 12-20 gr/gal

According to the US Geological Survey water hardness classifies anything over 7 gr/gal as hard water and over 10.5 is very hard water. Water softeners and other treatment systems are important for our health and to extend the life of our home’s plumbing system.  Our experience is that most homes in the valley test at 15 gr or higher.   

Don’t Miss Our Water Photo Contest Below to WIN $100.00 CASH!    

Bath Tub Fun

Test your knowledge:    

1. If I have a water softener, I’m protected?    T  or   F
2. If I’m OK with having hard water, there is no reason to have water treatment?   T  or  F
3. If I have a water softener, I’m protected from the Chlorine our cities add?   T  or  F
4. If I have a drinking water filter, nothing more is really needed? T or F

If you answered True to any of the above questions, let me explain why False may be the correct answer in your home. 

1. Congratulations on having a softener, but more importantly, how do you know it is working correctly to reduce the hardness of the water regularly?  Water hardness should be tested regularly with proper testing supplies to be sure it is always working properly.  The system should be the correct size for your home.and not every system fits every home.  If your softener is  mis-matched for your home, although it seems to be working, you could be wasting a lot of water, energy and the money.
2. Having hard water is more trouble for you and your investment than you may be aware of.  It is not just a personal preference choice to have water treatment when you live in the Phoenix area.  One of your biggest investments in life is your home, which includes faucets, shower doors, pipes, a dishwasher and other important appliances, etc. Hard water will make all these items wear out much faster, cause them to work harder, possibly use more energy and force you to spend more money on cleaning and soap products. With a water softener you won’t have to work as hard trying to keep your home clean and faucets working properly.
3. Having a water softener sized right and working properly, will NOT protect you and your family from the high levels of chlorine in the city water.  It takes something else called a whole house filter installed correctly to remove the chlorine in your water.  According to the Water Quality Association Press Release Dated May 17, 2010 says “Home water treatment is a proven final barrier against many harmful chemicals.” Untreated water is known to cause cancer, allergies, eczema, breathing concerns, and many other health issues.
4. Having a drinking water filter, is great, but it will not protect your pipes and fixtures from deteriorating quickly. 

As fully trained plumbers we know your home plumbing system and your water treatment best, this includes what you can’t see and what you can.  It is a full system with many items attached together that makes everything work optimally.  Over the last 25 years we have personally witnessed home repairs that wouldn’t have occurred with a proper water treatment system installed.  We are here to protect your investment with our fully trained experts in water treatment, we help you just as we would want our own mother serviced.  Who else would you want to get advise from?    

Are you looking for a TRUE GREEN WATER DESCALER, to help with the white calcium deposits on your fixtures and pool?  We recommend EASYWATER, no salt used, no discharge of water and it can also work with water softeners to increase their life too.     

WIN OUR PHOTO CONTEST:  Send in Your Cutest Water Photo by August 31, 2010.  Do you have a cute one that that shows off your pets, children or car? Then enter to Win $100.00 CASH!    

Do you have friends with some cool water photos, share this with your friends.    

Submit your photo to eastvalleyservice@benfranklinplumbing.com, by submitting this photo you grant us permission to post it on our Facebook page and share it on our home show September 10-12th, 2010.  To win include your name and your contact information. Phoenix area homeowners over age of 18, are eligible to win.    

You still have time to enter the Apprentice contest too and win many prizes including 100 grand at www.win100grand.com      

Watch for my upcoming Blogs on better cleaning suggestions and more great contests.