Blog
Water questions, answered.
Plain answers to what East Valley homeowners ask most, from Blake Elkin, owner and installer at State 48 Water.
- How much does a water softener cost in Arizona? Installed, a water softener in the East Valley costs about $1,750–$1,950 depending on size. A softener with a whole house filter is $2,550–$3,250, a salt-free conditioner is $2,750, and a reverse osmosis drinking water system is $775–$850.
- What size water softener do I need? For most East Valley homes: 1–3 people need a 32,000 grain softener, 3–5 people need 48,000 grain, and 5–8 people need 64,000 grain. Go a size up if you live where the water is harder, like east Mesa or Apache Junction.
- Is East Valley tap water safe to drink? Yes, it meets federal and state legal limits. But several East Valley cities report PFAS, arsenic or chromium-6 at levels above independent health guidelines. If that worries you, a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink removes most of it from the water you drink.
- Does reverse osmosis remove PFAS? Yes. Reverse osmosis is the most effective way to remove PFAS from drinking water at home. It also removes arsenic, lead, chromium-6 and nitrates. Water softeners and most standard filters don’t reliably remove PFAS.
- How long does a water softener last? A well-kept water softener usually lasts 10 to 15 years, and the resin inside can last even longer. Keeping salt in the tank and stopping chlorine from reaching the resin are the two biggest things that extend its life.
- Water softener vs. salt-free conditioner: what’s the difference? A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium that make water hard. A salt-free conditioner leaves those minerals in the water but changes them so they don’t stick as scale. For most East Valley homes, a softener protects more. Salt-free is a good fit if your HOA restricts softeners or scale is your only concern.
- Can you finance a water softener? Yes. You can finance any State 48 Water system through Wisetack: up to $25,000, terms from 3 to 60 months, and 0% APR on select terms. Checking your options takes about a minute and doesn’t affect your credit score.
- What happens when your water softener runs out of salt? Without salt, your softener can’t clean itself, so hard water goes straight into your home. Scale starts building up again in your pipes, water heater and appliances. Check the salt once a month and keep the tank at least a quarter full.
- How often should you change reverse osmosis filters? In Arizona, change the sediment, carbon and polishing filters every 6 to 12 months, and the RO membrane every 2 to 3 years. Once a year is the easiest schedule to remember.
- Do I need a water softener and a filter? A softener fixes hard water. A filter fixes chlorine taste, smell and chemicals. They solve different problems, so many East Valley homes use both, combined in one whole house system. For drinking water, add reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink.
- Why does my water taste like chlorine in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley? Cities add chlorine to keep water safe on its way through the pipes. Queen Creek reports average levels around 0.76–0.95 mg/L. That’s within EPA limits, but enough to taste and smell, especially in summer. A whole house carbon filter removes it at every tap.
Have a question we didn’t answer?
Call or text Blake. The person who answers is the person who installs.