Do You Really Need a Water Softener in Charlotte or Lake Norman?
If you live in Charlotte or the Lake Norman area, you may already know that much of our municipal water is relatively soft, typically measuring around 2–5 grains per gallon.
So, do you really need a water softener?
For many homeowners, the answer is no. But there are three good reasons you might want one anyway.
At Artisanal Water Solutions, we test water throughout Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, and surrounding communities. We’ve found that even homeowners with relatively soft water often choose to soften it further.
Here are the three most common reasons.
3 Reasons to Install a Water Softener Even If Your Water Is Already Soft
1. Adding Softening to Whole-House Filtration Is Often a Small Additional Investment
Many Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners initially contact us because they want to reduce chlorine, improve taste and odor, or improve their overall water quality.
Their primary interest is whole-house water filtration.
However, when we’re already installing a filtration system, adding softening can be a relatively small additional investment.
At Artisanal Water Solutions, we offer a combination system that incorporates catalytic carbon filtration and water softening in one unit.
The catalytic carbon reduces chlorine and improves taste and odor, while the softening resin removes calcium and magnesium.
Because much of our municipal water is relatively soft, we can often combine both technologies into one properly sized system.
The result is filtered and softened water throughout the home.
Filtered water. Soft water. Why not both?
2. You’ve Had Soft Water Before and Don’t Want to Be Without It
This is something we hear from homeowners regularly.
They previously lived in a home with a water softener and appreciated the difference.
Maybe they liked the way their skin and hair felt after showering. Perhaps they noticed fewer mineral spots on shower doors or found that soaps and shampoos performed better.
Whatever the reason, they’ve experienced softened water and don’t want to go back.
Even if their new Charlotte-area home has relatively soft municipal water, they may still prefer water with the remaining hardness minerals removed.
Water treatment isn’t always about solving a severe problem. Sometimes it’s about personal preference and comfort.
3. Sensitive Skin, Dry Hair, Eczema, and Psoriasis Concerns
Another reason homeowners consider whole-house water filtration and softening is the quality of the water they bathe in every day.
We regularly hear from customers concerned about dry skin, irritated skin, eczema, psoriasis, and dry or brittle hair.
Chlorine and hardness minerals affect water in different ways. Chlorine can contribute to dryness or irritation for some individuals, while hardness minerals affect how soaps and shampoos interact with water.
At Artisanal Water Solutions, we’ve had customers, including families with children, report positive experiences after installing systems that provide softened, chlorine-reduced water throughout their homes.
Some report that their skin feels less dry, their hair feels better, or their bathing experience is more comfortable.
Individual experiences vary, but for homeowners concerned about the water they shower and bathe in, combining whole-house chlorine filtration with water softening is worth considering.
But Not All Charlotte and Lake Norman Water Is Soft
While much of our municipal water is relatively soft, there are important exceptions.
The hardness of your water depends on its source.
Municipal Water Supplied by Lakes and Rivers
Many homes in Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and Mooresville receive treated surface water originating from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
Based on our local testing, this water generally measures approximately 2–5 grains per gallon.
At these levels, a water softener may be more about personal preference than necessity.
Community Well Water Can Be Much Harder
Some neighborhoods throughout Lake Norman receive water from community groundwater wells, including systems operated by Aqua North Carolina.
These homes receive a water bill just like other municipal-water customers, but the water itself can be significantly harder.
We encounter community-well water with hardness levels around 10 grains per gallon, sometimes higher.
These systems may also disinfect the water with chlorine, meaning homeowners can experience both hardness-related problems and chlorine taste or odor.
In these situations, a combination water softener and catalytic carbon filtration system may be especially beneficial.
Private Well Water
Private wells throughout Mooresville, Denver, Sherrills Ford, and surrounding communities can have widely varying hardness levels.
Some wells are relatively soft. Others have substantial hardness along with iron, manganese, low pH, sediment, or sulfur odors.
For private wells, water testing is essential before choosing treatment.
When You Probably Don’t Need a Water Softener
If your home receives relatively soft municipal water, you’re satisfied with how it performs, and you’re not experiencing mineral buildup or spotting, a standalone water softener may provide limited additional value.
You may benefit more from whole-house filtration to address chlorine, taste, and odor.
That’s why we don’t recommend the same equipment for every home.
Why Combination Filtration and Softening Systems Make Sense
For many Charlotte-area homeowners, combining catalytic carbon filtration and softening provides an attractive option.
Our Platinum Series combination system typically costs $3,795, depending on installation requirements.
It includes:
- Catalytic carbon filtration and water softening
- High-flow 1-inch connections
- Programmable digital controls
- Water usage monitoring
- Lifetime tank warranty
- 10-year control valve warranty
This gives homeowners the benefits of filtered and softened water in one compact system.
For homes with higher hardness or additional contaminants, separate treatment equipment may be more appropriate.
Start With Your Water
At Artisanal Water Solutions, we believe the water should determine the treatment—not the other way around.
Whether your home receives Charlotte municipal water, community well water, or private well water, we’ll help you understand what’s in it and what treatment makes sense.
We provide water testing, straightforward recommendations, and no-pressure consultations throughout Charlotte and Lake Norman.
You may not need a water softener. But once you understand the benefits, you may decide you want one.
Love Your Water.
Quality treatment starts with knowing what’s actually in your water. Contact Artisanal Water today and get a free water test expert guidance for your Charlotte area water. Call or text (704) 315-6344 or fill out our contact form
