Depending on where you live in Ontario, hard water can sometimes be a problem. Hard water is simply high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium. It's not harmful for you to drink, but most soaps cannot mix well with the minerals and causes a build-up of film on dishes and laundry as well as fixtures and appliances. It can also cause lime build-up in your water heater and pipes, lowering their efficiency. 

​

Salt is the most common way to actually soften water which has a very negative effect on our environment that is over looked.

Distillation and RO do as well but neither way is very cost effective. There are a number of other technologies available that will remove particles or condition hard water, creating a similar effect. 

 

Many people are turning to the newer technologies because of concerns about the effect of salt on septic systems and on the environment. 

​