Why doesn't Jacksonville soften its water? (Palm Beach: appliances, purchase, calculated)

[Michael3512]

I've been all over Florida, and Jacksonville has the grossest, hardest tap water by far! Is a softener a necessity when living in that area?

I know that many municipalities around Florida soften the water as part of the treatment process (Volusia County, Brevard County, Palm Beach, Broward, etc.). They do it by either lime softening and/or reverse osmosis. Why doesn't Jacksonville?

Thanks!

[EricBoyd]

Off the cuff, I would suggest that they don't do this because it's not an inexpensive process and the process may use (waste?) a lot of water.

Also, I grabbed this from JEA.com:

• What is the stuff in my water that water softener salesmen show me?
  Calcium and magnesium - both elements that are beneficial to human health, but cause hardness in water.

[Michael3512]

Originally Posted by EricBoyd

Off the cuff, I would suggest that they don't do this because it's not an inexpensive process and the process may use (waste?) a lot of water.

Also, I grabbed this from JEA.com:

• What is the stuff in my water that water softener salesmen show me?
  Calcium and magnesium - both elements that are beneficial to human health, but cause hardness in water.

I agree with you, it does waste water. I'm just curious as to why they don't, whereas other places in Florida do. Unfortunately, most water filtration processes (reverse osmosis, distillation, etc.) do waste water. I'm guessing most people in Jacksonville purchase softeners for their home.

[Gromicide]

I wouldn't say most, but many do purchase softeners. They make a huge difference but my guess is many locals can tolerate showering, laundering etc with the hard water. A good percentage of people also drink water from the tap and think it's fine.

I don't have a softener but when I purchase one, it's more about increasing the longevity of faucets (less scale), using less detergents etc...I don't mind drinking it but use the filtered fridge water with no complaints.

[PiratePenguin]

I hate showing and washing things in soft water. Fine for drinking, but so is the filter on the fridge. No water softener for us.

[Michael3512]

Originally Posted by Gromicide

I wouldn't say most, but many do purchase softeners. They make a huge difference but my guess is many locals can tolerate showering, laundering etc with the hard water. A good percentage of people also drink water from the tap and think it's fine.

I don't have a softener but when I purchase one, it's more about increasing the longevity of faucets (less scale), using less detergents etc...I don't mind drinking it but use the filtered fridge water with no complaints.

I agree that it is often a matter of what you’re used. Having grown up with soft water, my skin doesn’t react well to hard water. I often don’t like the taste, either (tastes sort of flat). Filtering definitely helps.

Depending on the level of hardness, the scale will wreak havoc on your fixtures and appliances. It also increases soap consumption by A LOT. Talk about dry skin and hair!

[Schmooky]

Use a private softener. Our local water has 27 grains (!!!) of hardness. It literally chews up appliances. Dishes come out white and scaly. A good, high capacity salt softener was an excellent investment for both our bodies AND the longevity of our appliances.

[Michael3512]

Originally Posted by PiratePenguin

I hate showing and washing things in soft water. Fine for drinking, but so is the filter on the fridge. No water softener for us.

It’s interesting because as I said, it is often a matter of preference and what you’re used to.

[843904]

So what would be the added cost if JEA did soften the water prior to sending it out for consumption? An extra $10 a month per customer? $20? I'd gladly pay either! I'm sure softened water would also add to the longevity of the pipes & delivery machinery in the JEA system.

Has this even been looked into before?

[Michael3512]

Originally Posted by Schmooky

Use a private softener. Our local water has 27 grains (!!!) of hardness. It literally chews up appliances. Dishes come out white and scaly. A good, high capacity salt softener was an excellent investment for both our bodies AND the longevity of our appliances.

Yes agreed. If your water is that hard, you really NEED a softener! Your soaps will not be able to work properly and your appliances will be ruined. I just calculated and in ppm that is about 460. Very high. They say that above 200ppm is considered very hard water! Damn.