Fixing the Water in Your Home: What Utah Homeowners Can Do About Hard Water and Contaminants

water filtration system Utah

Last month on the Valley Home Services blog, we dug into the surprising reality of Utah’s water quality—especially in areas like Utah County, Salt Lake County, and the surrounding Wasatch Front. Whether you caught it or not, here’s the short version: most of us are living with hard water and trace levels of contaminants in our tap water.

 Missed that post? You can read it here:
Why Utah Homes Need Water Filtration and Softening Solutions

This month, we’re shifting the focus to solutions. If you’ve noticed chalky white buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, or unpleasant tap water taste, you’re not imagining it—and the fix may be simpler than you think.


The Utah Water Problem (Quick Recap)

Most cities along the Wasatch Front including Lehi, Provo, Draper, Sandy, and Herriman get most of their water from mountain snowmelt that feeds into Little Cottonwood Creek and Deer Creek Reservoir and groundwater from local wells. These sources naturally contain high levels of calcium and magnesium, which lead to hard water.

Many municipalities also treat water with disinfectants like chlorine or chloramine, and according to independent testing and public data, small but persistent amounts of arsenic, nitrate, chromium-6, and halo-acetic acids have been found in Utah tap water especially in older homes or neighborhoods with aging infrastructure.

So what can be done?


Real Solutions for Utah Homes

1. Install a Water Softener to Eliminate Hard Water Damage

If you’ve ever had to scrub soap scum off your shower or noticed your water heater giving out too early, hard water is likely the culprit. A water softener is the #1 recommended solution for Utah households dealing with:

  • Scale buildup in pipes and appliances
  • Dry skin and itchy scalp
  • Dull, faded laundry
  • Streaky dishes
  • High water heater energy use

A softener works by using ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium ions and replace them with sodium or potassium—dramatically improving the feel, performance, and lifespan of your water system.

💡 Valley Home Services Tip: We install water softeners specifically sized for Utah families and plumbing systems. A small unit from a big box store often won’t keep up with hard water levels here. Let us test your water and recommend the right system.


2. Add Filtration for Healthier, Cleaner Water

A water softener fixes hardness—but doesn’t remove chemicals, chlorine, or trace contaminants. That’s why most homeowners in Utah benefit from a filtration system alongside a softener.

💧 Recommended Systems:

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO): Filters out lead, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, and other harmful substances from your drinking water
  • Carbon Filtration: Reduces chlorine, chemical odors, and improves taste across the whole home
  • Sediment Filters: Protect appliances and pipes from rust, dirt, and sand buildup

Many families choose a 3-part solution:
✔️ Whole-home softener
✔️ Carbon filter
✔️ RO tap for drinking water

It’s clean, reliable, and long-term affordable.


3. Don’t Risk DIY—Call the Experts at Valley Home Services

Water treatment systems need to be properly installed and sized—especially in Utah, where water chemistry can vary by neighborhood. We’ve seen dozens of DIY or improperly installed units that fail in under 3 years or cause leaks and water pressure issues.

As a trusted local plumbing and home service team, we’ve helped hundreds of families across northern Utah get the water they deserve with:

  • Accurate in-home water testing
  • Custom recommendations (not sales pitches)
  • Professional, warrantied installation
  • Long-term service, repairs, and upgrades

Why Now Is the Time to Act

Hard water isn’t just annoying—it’s costing you money every day in damaged appliances, higher soap and detergent use, and higher utility bills. Add to that the peace of mind that comes from cleaner, healthier water for your family, and this is one of the smartest home upgrades you can make in 2025.


Ready to Fix Your Water? Let’s Get You Taken Care Of.

At Valley Home Services, we make water treatment easy. Whether you’re ready to install a system or just want to know what’s in your tap water, we’re here to help.

 Serving Utah County, Salt Lake County, and surrounding areas
📞 Call us today (801) 634-4358 or book your in-home water consultation online.
Let us test your water, walk you through your options, and handle the install—so you don’t have to.
Learn more about our water filtration offerings from Valley Home Services here.