Why water quality differs from street to street
Most Saratoga homes get water from San Jose Water Company. Its supply blends treated surface water and groundwater, and the sources differ in hardness. Groundwater runs roughly three times harder than Valley Water imported surface supply, so the water at your tap depends on which source feeds your street and how the system mixes it.
The way to know is to test. A basic hardness test strip shows whether scale is a worry. San Jose Water also publishes an annual water quality report with the hardness range by source. We do not quote a single number for Saratoga because it changes with the source, and a test of your own tap beats any average.
White crust on fixtures and glass
Scale from dissolved calcium and magnesium dries into a crust on faucets, showerheads and dishes.
Heater and appliance scale
Scale coats heating elements and tankless exchangers and shortens their life. See tankless water heater service.
Dry skin and stiff laundry
Mineral buildup affects how soap works. Many households notice the difference after softening.
Taste, odor or chlorine smell
A filter, not a softener, handles chlorine taste. Different problems call for different equipment.
Softener or filter: which problem are you solving
| Equipment | Solves | Does not solve |
|---|---|---|
| Salt-based softener | Hardness, scale, soap performance | Chlorine taste, most contaminants. |
| Carbon filter | Chlorine taste and odor, some chemicals | Hardness. |
| Whole-house sediment filter | Particles and grit | Dissolved minerals. |
| Reverse osmosis at the sink | Dissolved solids in drinking water | Whole-house hardness. |
| Salt-free conditioner | Reduces scale formation in some cases | Does not remove hardness minerals. |
Softeners do not filter water. They swap hardness minerals for sodium or potassium. Some households combine a softener with a carbon filter, and some add a reverse osmosis tap for drinking water. We explain what each does so you buy only what your tap needs.
Installing a softener
Test and size
We test hardness and estimate household use to choose a unit with enough capacity between regenerations.
Pick a location
The softener needs a drain nearby, power, a bypass and clear access for adding salt. Garages and utility closets are typical.
Install the unit
We connect the supply, drain and brine line, set the control head and program it to your hardness.
Hand off
We show you how to add salt, use the bypass and check the settings.
Check for local softener rules
Some California communities restrict salt-based softeners that discharge brine into sewers. Ask the City of Saratoga and the sanitation district that serves your address what rules apply before you buy. We can install a unit that suits what is allowed.
Service and repair
Softeners that stop regenerating, leave hard water or run constantly usually have a problem in the control valve, the brine tank or the resin. Common fixes include cleaning the injector, replacing a worn valve or replacing the resin. If a unit is more than about fifteen years old, replacement can cost less than repeated repairs.
We service common brands and tell you honestly when a unit is past saving. If scale is already in your pipes, that is a separate conversation about repiping or about slowing the damage going forward.
Look for certification marks
NSF/ANSI Standard 44 covers cation exchange water softeners, and NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 cover filters that reduce taste, odor and certain contaminants. Ask any seller which certification a product holds and check the mark on the product itself. A product with no certification may still work, but you cannot verify its claims.
Water treatment equipment is rarely covered by insurance. Check whether any local utility rebates apply to your equipment.
Want to know what is in your water?
Call to schedule a test and talk through options. We will not sell you equipment you do not need.
Where we install
We serve Saratoga 95070 and nearby Los Gatos (95030, 95032), Monte Sereno and Campbell. If scale has damaged your heater, read about water heater replacement. Our Los Gatos plumbing page covers the neighboring area.
Common Questions
It depends on the source. San Jose Water Company blends surface water and groundwater, and groundwater is roughly three times harder than Valley Water imported supply. Test your own tap for an accurate number.
If you see scale on fixtures, spotty dishes or a heater that scales, a softener may help. A hardness test tells you how much.
Softened water has a slightly different taste, but most households do not notice it. A reverse osmosis tap can handle drinking water.
A softener removes hardness minerals. A filter removes particles, chlorine or certain chemicals. They solve different problems.
Rules about brine discharge can vary. Ask the City of Saratoga and the sanitation district that serves your address.
It depends on household size and hardness. Many households add salt every month or two.
Yes. We service common brands and tell you when replacing is the smarter choice.
Softening reduces scale on heating elements and exchangers, which can extend the life of the heater.