Water Softener in Buckeye, AZ

Signs hardness is costing you

• White scale on new faucets and showerheads in the first year
• Cloudy glassware and spotted dishwasher racks
• Water heater noise or reduced hot water
• Stiff laundry and soap that won't lather well
• A builder-installed softener that's quit regenerating

Local conditions in Buckeye

The City of Buckeye pumps nearly all of its water from the West Salt River Valley and Hassayampa sub-basins. Service is divided among ten areas, including Festival, Sundance Sunora, Tartesso, Valencia, Sweetwater and others, and the city publishes a separate water quality report for each. The report we reviewed says naturally occurring dissolved solids such as calcium, sodium and magnesium affect taste and hardness but gives no hardness number, so we won't quote one. Your service area's report and a tap test tell you what you need to know.

The city disinfects with chlorine. A softener exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium; it doesn't lower total dissolved solids or improve taste. If a mineral taste bothers you, a reverse osmosis faucet at the kitchen sink is the usual answer.

Buckeye's housing is among the newest in the Valley, with a median build year around 2010, so most homes have a loop near the water heater. The city operates its own sewer system with four reclamation facilities, so brine goes to a household drain like anywhere else on city sewer.

Cost factors

• Your tested hardness and how many people use water
• Whether the garage loop is usable or needs repair
• Metered valve versus timer
• Drain and outlet access
• Adding a reverse osmosis faucet or carbon tank
• Salt use over time

What to expect on the call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who covers Buckeye. Let them know your subdivision, since that tells them which city water system you're on, and whether the softener is new, a replacement or a repair. For any permit questions, Buckeye Development Services is at 623-349-6200.

If you already have a softener that came with the house, the plumber will check the resin, the brine valve and the drain line before suggesting a new one. Builder units in newer subdivisions often just need a cleaned injector and correct programming. Ask them to set the valve to your tested hardness and show you how to put it in bypass.