We've put together a list of the frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions or would like to set up a water consultation, please feel free to contact us.
 
Why do I need a water treatment system in Alabama?
If I have a water softener, do I need a drinking water system?
Do water softeners put salt in the water?
What is a "no salt" system?
Why buy products and services from Alabama Water Solutions-Kinetico?
What are your most popular water treatment applications?
Why should I choose AWS equipment for my commercial application?
 
Why do I need a water treatment system in Alabama?
 
Over 85% of the United States has hard water, but Alabama has some of the hardest water you'll find anywhere. By the time the water gets to our homes, it has accumulated high levels of dissolved minerals like Calcium and Magnesium. Look at the chart below from the Water Quality Association:

Most of the water in the valley is between 8 and 49 grains per gallon, so you can see why hard water becomes such a problem for your home. Since hardness is really dissolved rock, the average family of four will have more than 15 pounds of rock per year in their water for each grain of hardness.
 
These mineral deposits in your home from hard water can:

Build up scale on fixtures and shower doors Increase energy costs for water, clogs plumbing and water bearing appliances		Increase energy costs for water
Produces cloudy ice cubes and dries out skin and hair		Turn white fabrics gray and fade colors in the laundry!
Leave spots & stains on dishes, crystal and silverware		Iron, and hard water can stain & spot your plumbing fixtures.

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If I have a water softener, do I need a drinking water system?
 
Water softeners improve the water we bathe in and clean with throughout the home. Softeners are not purifiers and will not reduce a wide range of potential contaminants.
 
The water in our area also contains high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and chlorine creating bad tastes and odors. Many consumers want to purify their water for drinking, cooking and ice cubes with a reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis purification systems can be installed at locations where purified water is needed.
 
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Do water softeners put salt in the water?
 
A water softener does not put salt into the water. It merely exchanges calcium ions in the water for sodium or potassium ions. The amount of sodium or potassium coming through in soft tap water is extremely low.
 
For example, in 10-grains per gallon hard water, the amount of sodium in an 8 ounce glass of soft water is typically equivalent to the sodium in one slice of white bread. Soft water, by dietary standards, would be considered a "low sodium" beverage. Consumers may use potassium as a regenerant if you prefer not to refresh the system with sodium. Be sure to check on the efficiency of the water softener before using potassium as it is higher priced and 25% less efficient than sodium as a regenerant.
 
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What is a "no salt" system?
 
"No salt" systems are not true water softeners. The only way to remove hard water deposits from your home is through the ion exchange process of a softener. No salt "softeners" do not remove any hardness minerals from the water. These types of systems are typically whole house carbon filter systems called conditioners. They improve bad tastes and odors and reduce chlorine, but will not prevent hard water problems.
 
If a consumer is looking to protect their home from hard water damage, they should shop for a real water softener. The claims made by these "no salt" systems are not certified by any third party testing lab such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and companies that sell these systems often make unsubstantiated statements about their products.
 
For more info on these systems, please contact the Alabama Water Solutions at 256-325-7160, or check out these sites: www.wqa.org or www.nsf.org for more information.

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Why buy products and services from Alabama Water Solutions-Kinetico?

Alabama Water Solutions is a professional independently owned water treatment company. All we do is water. Alabama Water Solutions has the expertise to provide you with the most reliable water treatment solutions at the most reasonable cost and provide you with superior service after the sale.

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What are your most popular water treatment applications?

Our most popular residential application is the AWS Whole House Water Treatment System. It consists of two parts. Step One is to refine your incoming 'working' water (99%) with a combination softener & dechlorinator unit. Step Two of a whole house water treatment system is a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Purifier. This machine is designed to provide ultra high quality of water for the small portion (1%) of your total water usage that is actually consumed. Usually it is installed under the kitchen sink, or downstairs in the basement directly underneath the kitchen, with a line run to the icemaker when called for.

Our most popular commercial applications are water softeners. Commercial facilities all across North / Central Alabama have chosen solutions provided by AWS for their water softening needs. From ¾ inch lines feeding small commercial dishwashers, to 2" mains feeding laundry facilities, to 4" mains feeding large boiler systems that require several hundred gallons per minute flow rate. Alabama Water Solutions & Kinetico has the knowledge, expertise, and experience to match your application to the right equipment and/or service.

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Why should I choose AWS equipment for my commercial application?

24-Hour Soft Water Operation - The twin-tank construction supplies conditioned water even while regenerating and during peak load periods. There is never a hard water bypass or lengthy reduction in flow rate capacity - late-night/early morning cleaning and/or laundry shifts will never be done in hard water! The system adjusts to varying periods of high and low water usage automatically.

Fully Automatic - The systems eliminate the need to set, adjust, or repair complex electronic time clocks or computers. You are assured quality water at all times. This allows for virtually transparent operation of the system. No special training or education is necessary for support staff. Periodic salt fill-up is all that is required. (AWS provides service contracts when requested.)

SALT SAVINGS - Soft Water Regeneration with Soft Water Brine - The patented soft water regeneration with soft water brine thoroughly reconditions the resin beds so they last longer and work better. The use of soft water in the brine tank and during the regeneration process drastically reduces the amount of salt, water, and time needed during the system's self-cleaning -this results in 50% to 75% less salt consumption over conventional electric units.

No Electricity - The exclusive non-electric construction drastically reduces major sources of service problems associated with conventional electric conditioners. These are components that aren’t covered under the “lifetime” or “25 year” warranties (most begin pro-rating after 1-3 years).

'True' Demand Regeneration - Immediate meter-initiated regeneration on our non-electric twin tank commercial systems can reduce operational costs up to 75%. No unnecessary regenerations occur, thus no salt or water is ever wasted.

Modularity - If your water needs should substantially increase, the system can be enlarged by the addition of one or more units without discarding the existing system.

Physical Size - The unique construction of the modular non-electric units and the space requirements needed for installation allow units to be installed in areas where conventional electric units could not.

Working Parts Operate in Conditioned Water - The unique twin-tank system allows the system parts to operate continuously in conditioned water, thereby eliminating the hardness build-up which can occur on the parts of a conventional electric softener.

Counter-Flow Regeneration - Exclusive to the non-electric twin tank design, counter flow regeneration enables the resin bed to be stirred and totally cleaned for top performance.

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