Questions, answered plainly
Your water
How hard is the water in St. Charles County?
City water here ranges from about 5 to 17.3 grains per gallon, depending on who supplies your street. Most of it is hard or very hard on the U.S. Geological Survey scale. See the numbers for each town on our water hardness page.
Is hard water bad for you?
No. Hard water is safe to drink. The minerals in it are calcium and magnesium. The trouble is what they do to water heaters, fixtures, glass and laundry.
Does my city use chlorine or chloramine?
St. Louis City's 2025 water quality report lists chloramines at 1.84 to 3.44 parts per million in its distribution system. St. Louis City sells water to PWSD 2, St. Peters and the City of St. Charles. The other local reports do not name their disinfectant, so we test for both at your tap.
Is my tap water safe?
Every utility we checked in St. Charles County reported no health-based violations in its 2025 water quality report. Some reports list monitoring or notice violations, which are not health-based. We link to every report on our water hardness page, and your utility can answer questions about its own water.
Equipment
Do you sell water filtration and water purifiers, or only softeners?
All three kinds of treatment. We install water softeners, whole-house water filtration and reverse osmosis drinking water systems, which many people call purifiers. In the trade, though, a purifier is a device proven to remove bacteria and viruses, and we do not make that claim for any system we install.
What is the difference between a softener and a filter?
A softener removes the hardness minerals that cause scale. A filter removes other things, such as the chlorine taste and smell. They do different jobs, and one does not replace the other.
Do I need a water softener?
If your water is above about 7 grains per gallon and you are tired of scale, spots and soap that will not lather, a softener will fix that. Below 7 grains per gallon, many homes do fine without one. A test tells you which side you are on.
Does a softener add salt to my water?
It adds a little sodium: about 8 milligrams per liter for each grain of hardness removed. At 10 grains per gallon, that is about 19 milligrams in an 8-ounce glass.
Does reverse osmosis remove fluoride or lead?
Some models are certified to reduce them and some are not. The listing for the exact model is the only reliable answer, and we show it to you before you buy.
Does a filter help during a boil water advisory?
No. Follow your water system's notice and boil your water or use bottled water. A softener or home filter does not replace boiling.
Working with us
How much does a system cost?
It depends on your water and your plumbing, so we give you a written price after the test. The test is free and you are under no obligation.
Who does the installation?
A licensed plumber.
Where do you work?
We are based in Wentzville and serve homes on city water in St. Charles County, including O'Fallon, St. Peters, St. Charles, Lake Saint Louis and Dardenne Prairie.
Do you work on well water?
Not yet. We are starting with homes on city water. Wells need different testing and equipment, and we want to do that properly before we offer it.
Can I change my mind after I order?
Yes. You have three business days to change your mind on any order, in writing, and we do not order your equipment until that time has passed.
Find out how hard your water is.
The test is free, it takes place at your kitchen sink, and you see the numbers yourself.