Surface Water Sources and Hard Water in Phoenix
ENHANCE YOUR HOME'S WATER QUALITY
Why the Salt, Verde, and Colorado Rivers Deliver Mineral-Rich Water to Valley Homes
The Salt, Verde, and Colorado Rivers supply the majority of the city’s water, and all three pass through terrain loaded with hardness minerals. By the time this water reaches municipal plants, it already carries significant concentrations of calcium and magnesium that are not removed in treatment.
Where Phoenix Gets Its Water
- Salt River: Originating in the White Mountains, this river flows through canyons and picks up minerals along the way.
- Verde River: Fed by snowmelt and rainfall from central Arizona, the Verde also passes through carbonate-rich formations.
- Colorado River: The Southwest’s largest river collects minerals from hundreds of miles of rocky watershed before entering the Central Arizona Project canal system.
Together, these rivers account for more than 95% of Phoenix’s supply in most years.
THE HARD FACTS OF HARD WATER
How Rivers Pick Up Hardness Minerals
Water might not be the most powerful solvent, but it’s the most readily available and longest lasting. In Arizona, we have a great reminder of just how powerful water is at breaking rock down: the Grand Canyon. River water dissolves and carries the minerals it encounters, picking up:
- Calcium carbonate from limestone: This is the most common contributor to scale.
- Magnesium from dolomite and other rocks: Adds to hardness and interferes with soap.
- Calcium sulfate from gypsum: Increases mineral load as water evaporates in arid climates.
Because the Salt, Verde, and Colorado Rivers run through arid, mineral-rich terrain, their waters are naturally harder than many other U.S. supplies.
The Role of Climate and Geography
Arizona’s climate makes the hardness issue worse. High heat and low rainfall cause evaporation, leaving dissolved solids more concentrated in the rivers and reservoirs. Seasonal snowmelt also rushes through rock layers rich in calcium and magnesium, carrying those ions into the river system. By the time the water is delivered to Phoenix, it contains some of the highest hardness levels in the country.
Municipal Treatment Doesn’t Remove Hardness
Even though surface water is filtered and disinfected at treatment plants, calcium and magnesium stay dissolved. Municipal systems are not designed to remove hardness minerals, only contaminants that affect safety and taste. That’s why Phoenix water can be perfectly safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in while being classified as very hard on the water hardness scale (>180 parts per million / >10.5 grains per gallon).
IMPACT OF HARD WATER
Everyday Effects of Mineral-Rich Surface Water
- Scale on fixtures and glass: White spots on shower doors and faucets.
- Appliance damage: Mineral buildup shortens the life of dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines.
- Soap inefficiency: Detergents don’t lather well, leaving clothes dull and dishes cloudy.
- Skin and hair problems: Residue dries out skin and makes hair brittle.
Hardness isn’t a health issue, but it is a persistent household nuisance that adds real costs over time.
BENEFITS OF WATER SOFTENERS
How Water Softeners Fix the Surface Water Problem
A water softener is the practical solution to minerals that municipal treatment doesn’t touch. Using ion exchange, a softener removes calcium and magnesium as water enters your home, preventing scale and making water work better for cleaning and comfort.
CLEAN WATER BENEFITS
Why Our Hard Water Treatment Systems Are Effective
Sized for Valley Water Conditions
Systems are calibrated to handle the high hardness levels of the Salt, Verde, and Colorado Rivers.
Efficient Regeneration
Demand-initiated cycles save water and salt.
Optional Prefiltration
Protects resin from sediment and chlorine in surface water.
Choice of Sodium or Potassium
Homeowners can select their preferred regenerant.
Whole-home Plus RO
Pair a softener with reverse osmosis for clean drinking water at the sink.
THE CANDID DIFFERENCE
What You’ll Feel After a Water Softener Is Installed in Your Home
Hardness Does Not Make Your Water Dangerous, but It Can Increase Costs and Decrease Your Home Comfort
Surface water sources ensure the Phoenix metro area has a reliable supply, but they also guarantee a steady stream of hardness minerals into local homes. Municipal treatment makes the water safe, but softeners make it less destructive, more efficient for cleaning, and much better for personal use by eliminating the everyday frustrations of mineral buildup.
CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE
Enjoy Softer Water From Phoenix’s Surface Sources
The Salt, Verde, and Colorado Rivers will always carry hardness minerals, but you don’t have to live with the effects. A water softener solves the problem at the source—your home. Call (480) 482-0697 to schedule a water softener installation estimate.
