The Water Softener Blog

If you live in a Great Lakes city, you've probably heard of zebra mussels. Those small, striped invaders that cling to rocks and boat hulls. But what you might not realize is that these tiny shellfish are quietly attacking something you never see: your city's water supply inlet . As they clog and coat the intake structures and tunnels that feed your treatment plant, they drive up operating costs, strain equipment, and ultimately show up on your monthly water bill. This problem goes far beyond just annoying boaters — it affects every single glass of water you pour at home. Why the Great Lakes Are the Perfect Breeding Ground for Zebra Mussels Zebra mussels didn't evolve in the Great Lakes. They arrived in ballast water from ships in the 1980s and found a nearly perfect environment: Plenty of calcium in the water to build their shells. Few natural predators are capable of controlling their population. Massive hard surfaces on rocks, dock...

If your home relies on municipal water, the water leaving the treatment plant has already undergone extensive chemical disinfection. Without these disinfectants, harmful microbes—bacteria, viruses, protozoa—could spread rapidly through the system. But there’s a hidden side to this water treatment chemistry. When chlorine and chloramine react with naturally occurring organic matter, they form unintended chemicals known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs) . These include THMs, HAAs, nitrosamines, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, iodinated DBPs, and more—most of which never appear in your annual water report. This guide explains what chemicals cities add, how DBPs form, and the whole-house and point-of-use filtration systems that protect your family. Why Cities Add Chemicals to Your Water Cities use disinfectants to keep water microbiologically safe through miles of pipes: Free chlorine Chloramine (chlorine + ammonia) Chlorine dioxide Ozone UV light (n...

Radon and uranium in private well water are classic “silent” problems: you can’t see, taste, or smell them, but they can be present at levels that matter for your family’s long-term health. If your home relies on a private well, it’s up to you—not a public utility—to understand the risks, test properly, and choose the right treatment. This guide explains where radon and uranium come from, how often to test, and the best whole-house and point-of-use treatment methods, along with annual maintenance and how to handle spent media and resin safely. Why Radon and Uranium Show Up in Well Water Radon and uranium both occur naturally in certain rocks and soils. As uranium in bedrock breaks down over time, it creates a decay chain that includes radium and radon gas. Groundwater flowing through these formations can dissolve uranium and carry radon gas into private wells—especially in regions with crystalline bedrock (granite and certain metamorphic rocks) or uraniu...

When it comes to water softeners, not all regeneration methods are created equal. Most homeowners never think about whether their system uses downflow   (co-current) or upflow (counter-current) regeneration. Yet that simple detail — whether it’s downflow or upflow — determines how efficient your water softener system will be, how consistent your water quality is, how much salt you’ll use, how much water you’ll waste, and how long your water softener may last. With this article, we apply the four foundational principles of The Water Treatment Insider — Advocacy, Expertise, Methodology, and Education — to help you make informed decisions when choosing a water treatment system for your home and family. Advocacy — What Your Water Softener Salesperson Might Not Tell You Most traditional water softeners use downflow regeneration — a process where brine flows from the top of the tank down through the resin bed. It works, but not efficiently. D...