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Frequently Asked Questions
What You Should Know About Water Treatment in Southern California
We get a lot of questions about water filtration, softeners, contaminants, and what makes our systems different. Here are the answers to the most common ones we hear from homeowners across SoCal.
1 What are Your Return Merchandise Procedures?
Returns/Refunds will take place under the following conditions:
- Condition of the Item: Filter/s needs to be in its/their original condition and unused.
- Purchased within the last 60 days
- Exceptions: Certain items, like opened personal care products or clearance items, may be excluded from the return policy.
- Refund Method: Refunds may be issued in the same form as the original payment method or as store credit.
- Shipping Fees: If the item was purchased online, the customer is responsible for return shipping fees unless the return is due to an error on the retailer’s part.
- Please contact our customer service team at (760) 754-1960 for instructions on returning authorized merchandise.
2 What is the right system for my water problems?
The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pros are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.
3The water from my Reverse Osmosis System has a taste to it.
Ask your EcoWater Pro about what you are experiencing. You could be due for a filter change. Or maybe something has changed with your water, and it will be better served by a different type of filter cartridge in your drinking water system. A conversation with your EcoWater Pro is your safest bet in finding a solution.
4What are some common home water problems?
While most homeowners may never encounter scary-sounding contaminants like toxaphene and trichloroethylene, there are several common water problems to be on the lookout for in the home:
- Hard water
- Iron water
- Acid water
- Turbidity
- Taste and Odor
- Contaminants
For more information on these problems, visit Diagnose Your Water.
5 How often do the filters have to be changed?
Your authorized EcoWater Pro can talk to you about how often the filters need to be changed, based on your home’s water and your water use. Talk to your EcoWater Pro about service program options that might include routine filter replacements.
6My water tastes fine. Why would I need a drinking water system?
Ordinary tap water can contain dissolved metals, such as iron or lead. It might contain chlorine, nitrates and mineral salts. Or it could have sulfates, mercury, asbestos or arsenic in it. A reverse osmosis water treatment system from EcoWater reduces more than 95% of dissolved solids, including many harmful contaminants.
7I'm worried about bacteria in my drinking water. How can I be sure it's removed?
EcoWater offers a microbiological drinking water purification system that is certified to reduce 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.95% cysts, such as giardia and cryptosporidia.
8 The city treats my water so it's safe to drink. What more do I need?
The quality of your home’s water may meet local standards, but it might not meet your own. Reverse osmosis drinking water purification systems are usually used in the kitchen, where you are most apt to get your drinking water, and where you prepare all of your food and beverages. You need the healthiest and best tasting water available.
Also, the methods used to treat municipal water – including chlorine – could be impacting the smell and taste of your mixed beverages and your cooking. A drinking water system provides bottled water quality, without the bottled water price paid at the store and at the recycling center.
9Efficiently Run Softeners Do Not Hurt Septic Tank
A study released at WQA Aquatech USA indicates “that the use of efficiently operated water softeners improves septic tank performance, while the use of very inefficiently operated water softeners may have a negative effect on solids discharge to the drain field and the level of impact will depend on the level of hardness in the water, whether the regeneration waste is discharged to the septic tank, and the amount of excess sodium present in regeneration waste.”
The Water Quality Research Foundation commissioned Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to conduct this independent study in 2012 which resulted in an official report, “Changes in Septic Tank Effluent Due to Water Softener Use.” Two different approaches were taken to conduct this study; one in a laboratory setting and the other looked at case studies conducted in the field.
10 My remote display shows question marks instead of numbers.
Make sure the water softener (or refiner) is receiving power. Assuming the softener is getting power, it might be the strength of the signal to the remote. Try moving the remote to different locations in your home. If you continue to have problems, contact your EcoWater Pro.
11My water feels too soft. Can I adjust it?
No. Soft water is soft water. You cannot adjust the level of impurities being removed from the water.
12I filled the salt, but the light is still blinking and the screen still says to add salt.
After filling the salt, you must set the salt level on the display screen. Note the level number along the inside wall of the salt tank. Then follow the menu instructions on your softener display screen to set the salt level number.
13My softener isn't using much salt.
After filling the salt, you must set the salt level on the display screen. Note the level number along the inside wall of the salt tank. Then follow the menu instructions on your softener display screen to set the salt level number.
14How do I determine the right softener for my home?
The right product for your home is determined by testing your water, considering how many people are living in your home, understanding your normal water usage, taking into account the number of bathrooms you have, understanding the water-using appliances in your home, etc. Authorized EcoWater Pros are water treatment professionals trained to understand your family’s needs and determine the right product for your home.
15How does a water softener operate?
One of the biggest misconceptions about water softeners is that the salt is what softens your water. What actually softens the water are the thousands of resin beads inside your softener that filter out hard water minerals.
- Water softeners use a negatively charged ion exchange resin to collect the impurities from your water. The resin becomes charged when it mixes with a sodium or potassium solution. The salt in the water softener isn’t what softens the water; it is what enables the resin to collect and remove the hardness from your water.
- The EcoWater refiner softens your water, and also removes the chlorine taste and odor, which is often a result of water treated by cities and municipalities.
- Regeneration is the term for when the resin is being cleaned and recharged in the sodium solution.
16I live in the city. Since they treat the water, does that mean my water is already soft?
Most municipalities treat water by using chlorine to kill bacteria. Some might even soften the water, but only to meet minimum requirements. That doesn’t mean it is ideal for your family.
An EcoWater Systems water refiner softens your family’s water by removing the hardness minerals and sediments that weren’t removed by the municipality, and it also removes the chlorine taste and odor.
17Why does soft water make my skin feel slippery?
An EcoWater water softener system removes the impurities in your water so your skin is rinsed without hard water minerals left behind. There is no residue on your skin to trap traces of soap, dead skin cells and other particles. And no residue left behind that dries your skin. The slippery, softness you feel is exactly how clean skin is supposed to feel.
The same way that soft water eliminates water spots that dry onto your glassware and silverware, it allows your bath soaps to lather better and rinse off completely. Soaps will lather better and you’ll be able to use half as much.
18What does soft water mean?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. It’s a natural result of minerals like calcium and magnesium accumulating during the water cycle, and it can happen with well water and even city water. The more calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water, the harder the water becomes. This is why certain cities and counties within the same state can have varying degrees of water hardness.
A water softener system treats your water at the point it enters the home. It removes these hardness impurities before the water travels through your pipes and into your water-using appliances, and before you draw water from the taps of your bathrooms and kitchen. Soft water is less than 1 gpg, whereas hard water is anything above 7gpg. Over 85% of households live in hard water areas.
EcoWater’s whole home filtration systems offers you a water softener system and reverse osmosis drinking water system, creating the healthiest water for all uses.
19How do I choose the right water filter for my needs?
We understand that selecting the right water filter can be overwhelming. We recommend considering factors such as water source, filtration method, filter capacity, and your specific water quality concerns. Our website provides detailed product descriptions and specifications to help you make an informed decision. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our customer support team for personalized recommendations.
20Are your water filters compatible with all faucets?
Our water filters are designed to be compatible with most standard faucets. However, we recommend checking the product descriptions and specifications to ensure compatibility with your specific faucet model. In case you have a non-standard faucet, we may have additional adapter options available. Please contact our customer support team for further assistance.
21How often do I need to replace the water filter cartridge?
The replacement frequency depends on various factors, including your water quality, filter capacity, and usage. As a general guideline, most water filter cartridges need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months. However, specific recommendations can be found in the product descriptions or user manuals. Regular filter cartridge replacement ensures optimal performance and water quality.
22Is installation difficult? Can I do it myself?
Please note that warranties will only be covered if the equipment is serviced and installed through an Authorized EcoWater Dealer.
23Do you offer warranty on your water filters?
24What is your shipping policy? How long does it take for orders to arrive?
Eco Water SoCal ships by the United States Postal Service. The exact shipping time may vary depending on your location and other factors. Once your shipping label has been printed, you will receive an email with your US Postal Service tracking information. EcoWater SoCal is not responsible for lost or stolen packages once they leave our facility.
25Do you offer after-hours emergency services?
1 What is hard water, and why is it a problem?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. It can lead to:
- Scale buildup in pipes and appliances
- Soap not lathering properly
- Dry skin and stiff laundry
- Shortened lifespan of water-using appliances
A water softener system removes those minerals through ion exchange, helping protect your home and improve water quality.
2 How does a reverse osmosis system work?
A reverse osmosis system forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, filtering out contaminants like nitrates, chlorine, PFAS, and dissolved solids. It’s one of the best ways to get clean, great-tasting drinking water at home.
3 Is alkaline water better for you?
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than standard tap water and may help reduce acidity in the body. Our systems raise pH by adding minerals like calcium and magnesium, improving both taste and balance.
4 How do I know what’s in my water?
That’s where we come in. We offer free water testing to identify common contaminants like chlorine, hardness, bacteria, and PFAS. Knowing your water quality is the first step in choosing the right system.
5 Do I need a whole house water filter?
If you’re noticing unpleasant smells, discoloration, or scale at multiple taps, a whole house water filter may help. It treats water at the point it enters your home, giving you cleaner water at every faucet, shower, and appliance.
6 Are your systems good for Southern California water?
Yes. Our systems are specifically selected and customized to address hard water in Riverside, chlorine in San Diego, and contaminants like PFAS in Los Angeles. We’ve been serving SoCal homeowners since 2006 and know what works here.
7 What maintenance is required?
Most of our systems are low-maintenance. We offer salt delivery for softeners, filter replacements for reverse osmosis systems, and ongoing support from our licensed service team. We’re local—so we’re easy to reach if you need us.
8 Can you help with water testing for wells?
Absolutely. If you rely on well water, we can test for issues like nitrates, iron, arsenic, and bacteria. Based on your results, we’ll recommend the right well water filtration system to protect your household.
9 How much does a water treatment system cost?
It depends on what you need. We offer a full range—from under-sink filters to whole-house systems—and everything is priced based on your home, water quality, and goals. The best way to get an exact quote is to schedule a free test and consultation.
10 Do you install and service everything you sell?
Yes. We provide full-service installation, system maintenance, salt delivery, and repairs. We don’t just sell equipment—we stay with you to make sure your system performs long-term.
Helpful Videos for Maintaining Your EcoWater Systems
Check out the videos below and contact us with any questions