Water is a vital part of daily life—but have you ever stopped to think about what happens to it before it reaches your tap? From drinking to bathing to laundry, your home’s water system handles a lot.

Here are four fast facts to help you understand the water you use every day.

1. Not All Water Is Used the Same Way

Water that enters your home generally serves two main purposes: working and drinking.

• Working water includes the water used for bathing, cleaning, toilets, and laundry.
• Drinking water is the water used for cooking and direct consumption.

While we all want clean water, not all of it needs to be treated to bottled water standards. Treating only what you drink to that level can be a smart and economical approach.

2. Working Water Is Treated for Comfort and Function

City-supplied water must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards for safety. But that doesn’t mean it’s ideal for all household uses.

Municipal water can contain chlorine, which dries out skin and hair, and minerals that cause scale buildup on appliances and plumbing.

To improve working water, many homeowners install a whole home water treatment system, which may include:

• Chlorine reduction to remove harsh chemicals
• Water softening to eliminate calcium and magnesium that cause hardness

These systems can be a single mixed-bed conditioner or a setup using two separate tanks.

3. Well Water Has Unique Challenges

If your home uses well water, treatment needs can vary widely based on well depth and local geology. Unlike city water, well water is treated onsite, and sometimes by a private community system in small subdivisions.

Common well water issues include:

• Sediment, which can clog fixtures
• Iron and manganese, leaving reddish or black stains on sinks and tubs
• Hydrogen sulfide, producing that telltale rotten egg smell
• Hardness, leading to scale buildup on plumbing and appliances
• High total dissolved solids (TDS), impacting taste and appliance performance
• Unbalanced pH, which can corrode pipes and fixtures

Proper testing is key to designing the right filtration or treatment system for well water users.

4. The Right Water Treatment Saves Money and Improves Daily Life

By tailoring your water treatment system to the type of water entering your home and how you use it, you can protect your plumbing, extend the life of appliances, and improve the feel and taste of your water.

Whether you’re on city water or well water, a little attention to water quality goes a long way.

To learn more, contact your local LeverEdge dealer. Or, to find the dealer nearest you, contact our team directly!