MYTH: YOU CAN NEVER FULLY WASH OUT SOAP USING SOFT WATER

Showering in soft water can make your skin feel 'slippery' and may give you the sensation that soap and shampoo are never truly rinsed away. In fact, by removing the hardness from your water, a softener removes the barrier to the moisturizing agents within soap and shampoo. With hard water, soap residue leaves skin dry, and hair dull. But with soft water, you get to experience your skin and hair how they were always meant to be experienced - shiny and full of life. Clean, soft water is the instant boost your body never knew it needed.

MYTH: SOFT WATER TASTES SALTY

Some believe that because a water softener uses salt to remove water hardness, that the water that comes from a water softener must also taste salty. This is markedly false. In fact, most do not realize how little sodium is in soft water. The average amount of sodium in a quart of water from a water softener is 75 to 100 mg. That's less sodium than a slice of white bread. Another solution? Add a Reverse Osmosis water filter for completely sodium-free drinking water.

MYTH: WATER SOFTENERS WASTE LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT AND WATER

Hague's technological advances in water softeners began in 1960 and are more energy-efficient than most conventional water softeners on the market. With the use of patented technology such as directional flow screens, our systems are fast, use minimal salt and waste little water.

MYTH: SALT-FREE AND SALT-BASED WATER SOFTENERS ARE THE SAME

While many salt-free or saltless water systems do exist, they are almost always 'descalers,' not true water softeners. This means that they only break down the hardness from the water entering your home. They do not help prevent the buildup of scale in pipes and appliances, but all the other benefits of soft water are forfeited.

MYTH: BOTTLED WATER IS MORE CONVENIENT, CHEAPER, AND CLEANER THAN SOFT WATER

Bottled water may be convenient, but it is definitely not cheap. Buying bottled water can result in paying 240 to 10,000 times more per-liter than making the most of your tap water. Not to mention the negative effects on the environment by using and throwing away all those plastic bottles. Bottled water can sometimes be perceived as 'pure water' or 'purified water,' but in most cases, bottled water is no purer than tap water.

How to Know If Your Water Has Lead & What to Do About It

February 11, 2025

If you’ve received a letter saying there may be lead in your water service lines, you’re probably wondering what to do next. Lead in drinking water is a serious issue, but the good news is that you can test your water and take steps to fix it.

The first step is confirming whether your home’s water has lead. This can be done through a simple inspection of your service line or a water test. If lead is present, there are filtration options and long-term solutions to ensure your water is safe.

This guide will walk you through how to check for lead, what to do if it’s in your water, and how to get expert help.

How to Check If Your Water Has Lead

Signs Your Water May Contain Lead

Lead in water isn’t always visible, but there are a few warning signs to watch for:

Discolored water – Brown, yellow, or cloudy water can indicate lead or other contaminants.
Metallic taste – Water with lead may have a slightly bitter or metallic taste.
Old plumbing – Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes or lead solder.

Even if your water looks and tastes fine, testing is the only way to know for sure.

How to Inspect Your Water Service Line for Lead

One way to check for lead is by inspecting your home’s water service line—the pipe that brings water from the main supply into your house. Here’s how:

Find Your Water Line – Look under the kitchen sink, in the basement, or near your water meter.
Scratch the Pipe’s Surface – Use a key or coin to scratch a small section of the pipe.
If the pipe is shiny and silver, it may be lead.
If a magnet sticks to the pipe, it’s likely steel, not lead.
Check for Softness – Lead pipes are softer and can be dented with light pressure.

If your service line is lead or contains lead solder, your home’s water may be contaminated.

Water Testing Options: Home Kits vs. Professional Lab Testing

Testing your water is the most reliable way to know if lead is present. You have two options:

Home Test Kits – Available at hardware stores for around $20 to $50. These can detect lead, but they aren’t as accurate as lab tests.
Professional Water Testing – A certified lab provides detailed results, including the lead level in parts per billion (ppb). This usually costs $50 to $200, but it’s the most accurate way to check your water.

Understanding Test Results: What Lead Levels Are Dangerous?

0 ppb (parts per billion) – Ideal. No lead detected.
1-15 ppb – Some lead is present. Action should be taken.
Above 15 ppb – Considered unsafe. Immediate steps are needed to remove lead from your water.

If your test detects lead, don’t panic—but take action quickly. In the next section, we’ll cover what to do if lead is in your water.

What to Do If Lead is Found in Your Water

If your water test confirms lead, take action immediately to protect your household. Some solutions offer a quick fix, while others provide long-term safety.

Immediate Safety Measures

Until you install a permanent solution, follow these steps to reduce exposure:

Flush Your Pipes – Run cold water from each tap for at least 5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. This helps clear out lead that may have built up in the pipes overnight.
Use Cold Water for Cooking & Drinking – Hot water leaches lead from pipes more easily. Always start with cold water, even when boiling.
Use Bottled Water When Needed – If your lead levels are high, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula until a filtration system is installed.
Avoid Using Unfiltered Water for Baby Formula – Infants are especially vulnerable to lead exposure.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Solutions: What Works Best?

Not all lead removal methods are equally effective. Here’s how different options compare:

Solution	Effectiveness	Cost Estimate
Faucet or Pitcher Filter	Good for small-scale use, but doesn’t protect the whole house	$30–$100
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters	Removes 99% of lead, but only at specific faucets	$200–$600
Whole-Home Water Filtration Systems	Best long-term solution, protects all water sources	$1,000–$4,000
Lead Pipe Replacement	Permanent solution but costly	$2,000–$10,000

Water Filtration Options: Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon, Whole-Home Filters

If replacing pipes isn’t an immediate option, installing a high-quality water filtration system is the next best step:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters – Installed under the sink, these remove 99% of lead but only from the water used at that faucet.
Activated Carbon Filters – These can reduce lead but are not as effective as RO filters. Always check if the filter is NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certified for lead removal.
Whole-Home Filtration Systems – The most comprehensive solution. These systems ensure all water—from taps to showers—is free from lead, providing long-term protection.

When to Consider Lead Pipe Replacement

If your home has lead pipes, replacing them is the best permanent solution. Here’s what to know:

Contact your local water provider to ask if they offer lead pipe replacement programs or financial assistance.
If replacing pipes isn’t possible right away, pair a whole-home filtration system with temporary fixes like faucet filters.

Taking action now ensures your water is safe and your family is protected from long-term lead exposure.

Why Acting Fast Matters

Lead in water is a serious issue, especially because it builds up in the body over time. The longer you’re exposed, the greater the risk of health problems.

Children and Infants – Lead exposure can affect brain development, cause learning disabilities, and lead to behavioral problems. Even low levels can have long-term effects.
Pregnant Women – Lead can pass through the placenta, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or developmental issues for the baby.
Adults – Long-term exposure can lead to high blood pressure, kidney problems, and neurological issues.

The good news? Lead exposure is preventable. Taking action now—whether through filtration or replacing pipes—ensures your water is safe for years to come.

Get Expert Help for Lead-Free Water

If your water has lead, the safest solution is professional water treatment. While DIY filters provide temporary relief, a whole-home system ensures long-term protection for your entire household.

Worried About Lead in Your Water? We Can Help!

Did you receive a letter stating there may be lead in your water service lines? Don’t take chances with your family’s health—get your water tested today.

At Puresoft Water Treatments, we provide:

✅ Professional water testing to detect lead contamination
✅ Custom water filtration solutions to remove lead effectively
✅ Whole-home treatment systems for long-term water safety

Clean, safe water starts here. Call today to schedule your test!

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Infographic on water softener repair with technician, blue-and-white design, and service details to stop breakdowns

When Does Water Softener Repair Stop Being Worth It?

June 21, 2026

Learn when repeated water softener repairs may cost more than replacement and what signs homeowners should watch for.

What Hidden Costs Can Hard Water Cause in a Home?

June 14, 2026

Learn how hard water can increase appliance wear, utility bills, plumbing repairs, and cleaning costs throughout a home.

Why Do Some Whole-Home Water Filters Cost More?

June 7, 2026

Introduction Two whole-home water filtration systems can look similar at first glance yet come with completely different price tags. One system may seem relatively affordable, while another costs significantly more before installation is even included. That difference often confuses homeowners who are trying to compare options. The reality is that whole-home water filters are designed for very different water conditions, property sizes, and treatment goals. Some systems only target basic sediment issues, while others are built to handle chlorine, iron, sulfur, heavy mineral content, or multiple contaminants at the same time. Pricing usually reflects how much treatment work the system is expected to perform. For homeowners researching filtration options, understanding what actually drives those costs makes it easier to compare systems based on long-term value instead of just the lowest upfront number. Not All Whole-Home Filters Solve the Same Problems One of the biggest reasons for price differences is that water quality problems vary widely between homes. Some households mainly want to improve taste and odor. Others are dealing with staining, sediment, well water contaminants, or chemical exposure concerns. The more complex the water issue becomes, the more advanced the filtration system usually needs to be. Basic Sediment Filtration Entry-level systems often focus mainly on sediment removal. These filters are commonly used to reduce: Dirt Sand Rust particles Debris from aging pipes Sediment systems are generally less expensive because they use simpler filtration media and fewer treatment stages. Carbon Filtration Systems Carbon filtration systems usually cost more because they target additional contaminants such as: