The term “Hybrid” has been used frequently over the last two decades for many things from fruits, vegetables, and farm animals to fertilizers, plastics and automobiles. Hybrid can be defined as the “offspring of genetically different parents.” Often, the hybrid product can be more efficient than what it is replacing. As technology improves, the costs generally go down and quality improves.
Now let us apply this definition to Santa Clarita, Castaic and Stevenson Ranch. Since the water softener restrictions and now, the outright ban of automatic softeners, it is becoming increasingly more expensive to soften our water. Many of our residents are looking for alternatives that are affordable, reliable and, if possible, non intrusive.
If we accept that water softening is not a filtration, it is an exchange process wherein a hardness molecule is traded for a soft mineral, then we can be overlooking other elements of our water that may be more harmful to us and our appliances. And if we can accept the fact that heating hard water can greatly exacerbate the water hardness problem, then it may be wise to adjust our approach.
Many publications and news sources have been raising concerns about the residual pharmaceuticals that are showing up in our domestic water supplies. That chlorine and now, in the Santa Clarita Valley, Chloramines, can contribute to dry skin and hair, dandruff and other skin conditions more than hard water by itself. Remember, chloramines are both chlorine and ammonia, a very potent disinfectant.
With this being considered, might we be better to focus on removing as much of the chloramines as possible throughout the entire house and the hardness minerals passing thru the water heater only. It takes a specific type of carbon to due this, regular wood based carbon can be ineffective on chloramines.
With this approach we are accomplishing three things. First, by reducing the amount of sodium we are sending to the waste treatment plant, we are demonstrating to the Sanitation District that we are trying to be good stewards of our environment. Second, we are reducing the amount of money we are spending to soften our water and third, with the right type of filtration system, we truly can have a more healthful water for our bathing, cooking, and drinking while at the same time protecting our appliances and fixtures.
Please call me anytime with your questions. I would welcome the opportunity to explain this idea in more detail. Thank you and as always, good health to all.
For more information, please call Kirk Walker at 661-713-7762.