RainSoft of Perham - Why Soap Won't Lather and Other Answers to Water Questions

RainSoft of Perham, an authorized RainSoft Dealer.

Locate a RainSoft Dealer near you or read customer reviews at RainSoft Reviews.

Why can't I rinse the soap off my hands?

---

The terms "soft water" and "hard water" are important here. Water is said to be soft if it has a low concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in it, and hard water has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. If you use hard water, then washing your hands and bathing with soap could leave a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria. Soap curd interferes with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition, and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult to manage. Washing with hard water also makes it harder to work the soap up into a lather.

Hard water can also leave a film or spots on glasses taken out of the automatic dishwasher and can contribute to calcium buildup (scale) inside of water pipes. Hard water can even shorten the life of fabrics and clothes. Hard water is prevalent in some parts of the country, and sometimes water-softening chemicals that reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium are added to the water.

Why is our porcelain sink stained brown?

---

The brown stain is probably from a large amount of iron in your water. If you have ever drunk water containing a bit of iron in it, you would know from the metallic taste left in your mouth that dissolved chemicals in drinking water can be less than desirable. Color in drinking water can be caused by dissolved and suspended materials, but most often comes from rust in the water pipes.

Although water can contain contaminants, which are usually removed by water-supply systems, the plus side is that the water you drink likely contains a number of dissolved minerals that are beneficial for human health. And, if you have even drunk "pure" water, such as distilled or deioninzed water, you would have noticed that it tasted "flat". Most people prefer water with dissolved minerals, although they still want it to be clear.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

---

Rotten-egg smell?

---

A few tenths of a milligram of hydrogen sulfide per liter can cause drinking water to have a rotten-egg odor.

You would know it if you had this problem! A frequent cause of musty, earthy odors in water is naturally occurring organic compounds derived from the decay of plant material in lakes and reservoirs. In some parts of the country, drinking water can contain the chemical hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells just like rotten eggs. This can occur when water comes into contact with organic matter or with some minerals, such as pyrite. The situation mostly occurs as groundwater filters through organic material or rocks.
Water containing hydrogen sulfide can have an odor that is objectionable (and the water may taste really bad), but generally the water is not harmful to health. However, odors can be caused by other constituents as well, so you may want to call your local Health Department and mention the odor to them. The best way to find out what is in your water is to have the water tested by a state certified laboratory. A list of these labs is available from your State Certification Officer.

More Q&A about water from the USGS

RainSoft Water Conditioning Systems

RainSoft water conditioning and water softening systems soften and polish the water used throughout your home. Soaps and shampoos rinse out more completely, leaving skin and hair cleaner and more residue free. Water conditioners allow you to use less soap, and your water-using appliances will last longer without that scale build-up present in hard water. 

Many RainSoft water conditioning systems incorporate our proprietary EC4 technology. This smart control water softening system actually learns how your family uses water, saving you money in water consumption and salt usage. 

EC4 and TC Series Water Conditioners

Both of our premium series of water conditioners are available in many designs with various features that support and meet any consumer needs. Each design series is built to last a lifetime, and carries the RainSoft limited lifetime warranty. Both home water filtration systems can be found at a RainSoft dealer near you. 

The EC4 water conditioning systems are computer controlled and come equipped with a smart-feature microprocessor controller that is able to process thousands of computations per second. 

TC Series water conditioner systems soften, condition and filter out the main components that make up hard water. These water softeners are also powered by an energy saving, low-voltage electrical system.

RainSoft of Perham - Keeping Water Safe After Flooding and Other Disasters

RainSoft of Perham - an authorized RainSoft Dealer
101 11th Ave NE
Perham, MN 56573

Locate a RainSoft Dealer.
See what people in your area are saying about RainSoft at RainSoft Reviews.

Water Safety Tips After an Emergency from the CDC

Safe Drinking Water

After an emergency, especially after flooding, drinking water may not be available or safe to drink for personal use. Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, make ice, or make baby formula.

Note: Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water.

Floods and other disasters can damage drinking water wellsand lead to aquifer and well contamination. Flood waters can contaminate well water with livestock waste, human sewage, chemicals, and other contaminants which can lead to illness when used for drinking, bathing, and other hygiene activities.

Before an emergency or a temporary problem with a community water system, a community drinking water treatment facility should have an emergency plan in the event that service is disrupted. Water treatment facilities monitor drinking water to meet federal and state regulations.

Make Water Safe

Water often can be made safe to drink by boiling, adding disinfectants, or filtering.

IMPORTANT: Water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals will not be made safe by boiling or disinfection. Use a different source of water if you know or suspect that water might be contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals.

Boiling

If you don’t have safe bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling is the surest method to make water safer to drink by killing disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

You can improve the flat taste of boiled water by pouring it from one container to another and then allowing it to stand for a few hours, OR by adding a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of boiled water.

If the water is cloudy,

• Filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter OR allow it to settle.
• Draw off the clear water.
• Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes).
• Let the boiled water cool.
• Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers with tight covers.

If the water is clear,

• Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes).
• Let the boiled water cool.
• Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers with tight covers.