Water Treatment and Softeners - Who should you buy from?

Who should you buy water treatment from? There are several choices. Before you start searching, you should get a water analysis done at a state or county certified lab. A basic chemical / physical test and a bacteria test should be less than $150.00 if you draw and deliver the test yourself. Make sure you contact the lab before you bring samples there since many may require you to use their sample bottles (especially for the bacteria test). While $150.00 may seem like a lot, this test could save you thousands by helping to prevent you from getting the wrong equipment.

Now you have your test results and you are wondering where to go. There are 4 choices. First is the local water treatment dealer, second is the big box store, third is your plumber, and fourth is an internet store.

Pros and cons of each:

1. The water treatment dealer is usually a specialist in fixing water problems. Many dealers are true water treatment experts, people who live and breath the actual processes of making your water better. Unfortunately, there are many dealers that are really just marketing companies that are out there to sell stuff, be it used cars, windows, siding, or water treatment. To make sure you have a company devoted to water treatment, look for a company with licensed technicians, and tell the salesman that you are going to ask the installer to see his license when he comes to install your system. This will help you eliminate fly by nighters and other incompetents.
2. The big box store will be significantly less expensive than the water treatment dealer, but does an in store appliance salesman really have the background to help you get the correct equipment? If you got recommendations from the lab, you may be able to go this route and save cash, but you need to be aware of the fact that the regular appliance technicians are usually not qualified to work on water equipment and many dealers will not work on big box systems. Ask the store for the technician they recommend for service when there is a problem. If they can't recommend a technician, don't go this route.
3. Your plumber can help you. He is usually somewhere between the big box price and the water treatment dealer price. Unfortunately, he may not be able to perform service on your equipment, and it may fail sooner unless you can find a technician to service it once a year. Find out if he recommends a technician to service the equipment or if he is truly confident that he can service it and remember to contact you to schedule service on a yearly basis.
4. The internet dealers can bring you huge savings, but you may want to make sure your plumber will install the equipment and that a local water treatment dealer will be willing to service your equipment on a yearly basis. The internet company should also be willing to have you fax your water analysis and then design and sell you the correct application.

If you have questions about which water treatment company you should purchase from, please email The Clean Water Man at tedmullen@hotmail.com with as much information about your water as you can provide.