[butterflybird]

Just saw a report online yesterday that Vegas has one of the worst water quality in the nation, and Reno isn't far behind. So, what's causing this problem? Hard water is one thing but is there something else going on?

[sierramadre44]

Originally Posted by KD Hawaii

This morning, I was taking a shower then dry myself. I noticed there were some white residue on my skin. Also I put water in a glass. It showed white cloudy. What are they?

http://www.city-data.com/forum/12026148-post73.html

[Dimm]

You do know that water softners are doing nothing but making the particles in the water smaller. They are all still there, just smaller, you just cant see them. basically a softener exchanges salt for salt. The only way to truly remove the contaminents out of your water is water purification/reverse osmosis.

Water softeners do not remove: pharmecueticals, arsenic, lead, calcium etc. The only thing they do is soften the water.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Dimm

You do know that water softners are doing nothing but making the particles in the water smaller.

Uh, no. A water softener exchanges sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions. They both have to be dissolved in the water for the exchange to occur. Once the sodium has replaced the calcium ions, there is less dissolved calcium carbonate in the water to precipitate out and form scale deposits. Also, unlike dissolved calcium ions, dissolved sodium ions don't combine with soap to form soap scum. That's why soft water lathers better.