Water Treatment FAQs

Two of the most cost effective ways to enjoy great tasting water in your home are with a bottled water cooler or with a home reverse osmosis (RO) system.

In simple terms, reverse osmosis is the process by which water molecules are forced through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. The membrane in a Culligan system filters out any impurities smaller than one micron. Reverse osmosis systems provide filtered water everywhere, from homes and commercial applications like restaurants and hotels, to breweries and car washes, and even the space shuttle! Learn more.

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Yes!

The system uses multiple processes including Reverse Osmosis to make great tasting, low sodium drinking water. Reverse Osmosis removes about 97% of the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) including salt and sodium from the water. Read the labels on bottled water and you will discover Reverse Osmosis is the same process used by most bottlers ... so in effect ... you really are getting ... "bottled water ... without the bottle".

Culligan® water softeners, whole-house filters and drinking water systems have received the powerful Good Housekeeping Seal of approval.

In addition, the Culligan Gold Series™ water softener has been named as a Consumers Digest "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest magazine (August 2003).
According to the Consumers Digest article, the Culligan Gold Series™ is "the standard for premium softeners... Its Quadra-Hull™ tank has four layers that resist rust and corrosion, so much so that the tank carries a limited lifetime warranty.

The Gold Series and Platinum Series "Accusoft® Plus" microprocessor offers precise regulation. Varying tank sizes allow customization to the homeowner’s particular needs. The optional "Aqua-Sensor®" monitors the chemistry of the tank so it regenerates only when needed.

For high-efficiency water softening, nothing can match the intelligent design of the Culligan HE. With patented technologies to optimize salt, water and electricity consumption by up to 46%*, it can save you money. Even better, it can improve your daily life. Enjoy fresher laundry and spotless glasses. Do less cleaning and scrubbing. Increase water heater efficiency. * Up to 46% less versus a time clock regeneration softener.

Culligan® trains its own service technicians and performs its own installation. Price is set by the individual dealer and depends on tank size and features."

When you purchase a Culligan® product, you are purchasing the finest water treatment product available in the world today. We are so certain of this fact that if you are dissatisfied with your Culligan® product for any reason within 30 days of your purchase, Culligan® will refund the purchase price.

Here are some helpful considerations you may want to take into account before renting or purchasing a water treatment system.

How hard is your water?

Having your water tested will help you determine your exact needs, even though you may already know you have one or more water problems. So do you have hard water? Find out. Click here to learn how to have your water tested.

In determining your needs, a water expert will look at a number of things. For example, the hardness level of the water and the size of your family will influence the size or type of equipment necessary for water softening. Additional problems may require additional equipment. The same principles hold true for drinking water systems.

Your water usage and pressure.

The amount of water used as well as water pressure are factors to consider when fitting your home with a water quality improvement system. Household size may influence consumption, but different families have different needs. Every factor should be considered, including family growth and guest visits.

Why you should avoid a "quick fix".

Fixing your existing water problem is your primary goal, but don't be eager to settle for the least expensive solution. A higher-priced unit may serve your needs better by being more efficient, and reducing operating costs and maintenance time. Be sure, however, that you're getting your money's worth. Before you buy, get a detailed estimate of equipment, installation, and operating costs.

Buy from a reputable dealer.

A reputable water quality improvement equipment dealer is an excellent resource in helping you determine your water conditioning needs. Culligan® is the most trusted name in water treatment solutions.

Financing Options

Culligan offers several financing options to suit every budget.

Choosing the water quality improvement system that's right for you and your family does not have to be a chore. Here are some helpful considerations you may want to take into account before purchasing water treatment systems.

• Is installation included in the price?
• Does installation include such things as a bypass for lawn and garden faucets, a faucet for unsoftened water or any other features you may want?
• Does the unit have enough capacity to meet present and future needs?
• If you lease do you want your agreement to include an option-to-buy provision?
• Does the dealer you've selected have an established business in the area?
• Does the dealer have customer references available?
• Will a representative call at your home to determine the right kind of equipment for you?
• For health related problems have you had your water analyzed by a reputable laboratory and/or your local health department?
• Did the salesperson answer all questions regarding design, function and cost of the equipment?
• Did the salesperson explain the method and cost of regenerating the system?
• Does the dealer offer a maintenance contract or other after-sales services?
• Does the equipment carry a specific written warranty?
• Have you read and understood the warranty?

Have you purchased bottled water lately? Did you notice all the different and often confusing varieties that are available? Bottled water is sold to consumers in sealed, sanitary containers and must meet all federal and provincial regulations for drinking water. Bottled water cannot contain sweeteners or chemical additives and must be calorie and sugar free.

There are several different varieties of bottled water:

• Artesian Water: Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water bearing underground layer of rock or sand)
• Carbonated Water: Bottled water that contains natural or added carbonation.
• Mineral Water: Bottled water which would meet the definition of spring water except it contains more than 500 ppm of total dissolved solids.
• Purified Water: Bottled water that has been produced by distillation, deionization or reverse osmosis. The source can be from a spring, well or public community water supply. Other suitable names for the above processes include: Distilled Water, Deionized Water and Reverse Osmosis Water.
• Spring Water: Bottled water from an underground source from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth.
• Well Water: Bottled water which would meet the definition of spring water except it does not flow naturally to the surface of the earth. Instead it is tapped from a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed.

Your Culligan Man delivers crystal clear Purified (Premium) Drinking Water in either 11 litre or 18.5 litre sizes or our 500 ml single serve size. Our Spring Water is available in the 18 litre size. Contact us to discuss your water needs!

Water is critical in regulating all body organs and temperature, and dissolving solids and moving nutrients throughout the body. Because water is naturally low in sodium, has no fat, cholesterol or caffeine and isn't flushed straight through the body like many other beverages, it's the natural solution to help reach your body’s daily fluid quota.

How much water should you consume?

Most adults need eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses of water or fluids daily, but needs vary by activity level, health circumstances (including pregnancy) and even by age. For example, a 60-pound child would need a minimum of at least 30 ounces of water a day, or about three to four glasses. But a 180-pound man would need about 90 ounces of water a day or about 11-12 glasses. And people may need more water as they age, since thirst signals may become dull, activity levels decline and prescription drugs may dehydrate their bodies further.

Hard water is probably the most common water problem found in the home. Hard water spots your glasses and dishes, makes laundry dull, and causes soap scum and scale to build-up making cleaning a chore. The most common hardness causing minerals are calcium and magnesium that is dissolved in a water supply.

According to the Water Quality Association, hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals above 1 GPG (grains per gallon). Relative levels of hardness have been established:

• Soft water - less than 1 gpg
• Slightly hard - 1 to 3.5 gpg
• Moderately hard - 3.5 to 7 gpg
• Hard - 7 to 10.5 gpg
• Very hard - 10.5 and higher gpg

Using an ion exchange water softener is the most common form of treatment.
Learn more about hard water.

Iron or rust in water can be found in five different forms. The two most common types are clear water iron and particle iron. These will cause staining in your tubs and sinks, in your laundry and even your hair. The other three types are iron bacteria, organic iron, and collodial iron. These will cause reddish stains and may have a sulfur (rotten egg) odor or have a tea colored appearance in the water.

You don't have to be a hydrologist to understand the basic principles behind water filtration and water softening. Here's an abridged version of what happens when you filter or soften water.

Filtering water involves separating mineral particles, like particulates, iron, hydrogen sulfide or other organic matter, from H₂O. By passing water through a "filter bed" or "media bed", these granular particles are trapped - and clean water passes through the bed.

Softening water involves something called "ion exchange" to remove dissolved minerals - like calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese - that can't be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners use fresh resin beads with sodium attached to the resin. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin passes up the sodium in exchange for the dissolved chemicals and the water is then rid of these impurities.

Whether you use a filter or a softener depends on whether the contaminates in your water are particles or dissolved minerals. Culligan® Water Filters remove the substances from your water that can cause staining, foul odours, and the need for excessive cleanup. Household chores become easier because your water is working with you, not against you.

To find out what's ailing your water, contact us for a free water analysis.

Need to shorten your "to-do" list? If you have a water softener in the house, one item you can cross off your list is buying salt and filling the salt tank, thanks to our Service delivery program from Culligan®.

First, your local Culligan Man® will deliver salt right to your home and into your water softener. He’ll work with you to assess your salt usage so we can deliver the salt you need, when you need it, automatically!

Then, with every salt delivery, our trained water expert will conduct a 7-point inspection of your water softener – from checking the time setting, salt level, and water level in the salt tank to looking for leaks. And, all remaining salt bags will be stacked neatly.

Don’t cart home another load of salt! Contact us today for more information on this terrific time-saver

With water softeners, regeneration is the process of "recharging" the resin beads when they are "full" of nothing but calcium and magnesium and have lost their softening capability. Regeneration is "triggered" by a number of ways. If a softener regenerates after a certain period of time it is called time clock regeneration. Systems set to run after a specific number of gallons have been used are referred to as metered.

However, one of the most effective regeneration techniques uses Smart-Sensor® technology, which is based on actual demand. Smart Sensors work by measuring the conductivity of the resin bed. As the resin becomes coated with calcium and manganese, it creates a change in conductivity. That triggers the softener to regenerate. It is especially valuable when water hardness varies from day-to-day.

This Culligan exclusive can result in a savings of nearly two tons of salt and 20,000 gallons of water over 10 years – saving you more salt & water than any other brand.

According to the Water Quality Association (WQA), water softener regeneration discharges do not pose a problem to septic systems or to the leach field. Studies have shown that water softener regeneration wastes not only do not interfere with the septic tank system drain field soil percolation, but, actually could improve soil percolation, particularly in fine-textured soils.

For outside use on lawns or gardens, using softened water is wasteful. Where the concentration of hardness minerals is high, the sodium content after softening may be high enough to retard plant growth and harm grass. This is especially true in climates where rainfall is scarce. Areas that receive regular rain are not as sensitive to sodium accumulation because the rain "rinses" the earth.

Ask the dealer who is installing your water softener about a bypass for lawn and garden faucets, and a faucet for unsoftened water.