Living on the Delmarva Peninsula means dealing with hard water. Residents deserve to enjoy healthy drinking, cleaning, and bathing water. However, fighting contaminants may be difficult if you don’t have the right tools at your disposal.

Fortunately, Delmarva Water Solutions has several ways to remove impurities. From filtering systems and softening products, Delmarva residents have options. However, do you need both water filters and water softeners to have clean water? Keep reading to find out.

Before you choose a water cleansing system, it’s helpful to understand how each works. While they have similar functions, water filters and softeners aren’t the same.

What Is a Water Filter?

Water filters work by removing contaminants from your water supply. Filters vary in cleaning methods, but they all separate particles and leave you with clean water. Sediment filters for well water work by physically trapping debris and allowing pure water to flow through your system. Other types include reverse osmosis filters, activated carbon filters, and chemical filters, to name a few.

What Is a Water Softener?

While water filters remove general debris, water softeners work with more specific particles. Softeners help break apart compounds like calcium and magnesium that leave hard water residue on your dishes, showers, and even your body.

By using sodium filters, water softeners create an ion exchange. This process removes harmful minerals and makes your water more pleasant to use and consume. You know you need a water softener if you frequently deal with water rings and clogged pipes.

Do You Need Both?

So, when it comes to water filters vs. water softeners, do you need both to have a healthy home? Since water softeners are a type of filter, many people think “no.” The truth is that water softeners alone won’t leave you with a clean water supply.

Water softeners help reduce hard water. However, they don’t remove other impurities like dirt and debris. Without a water softener and water filtering system, you may still struggle with foul-smelling, bad-tasting, strange-colored water.

If you’re worried about your well water supply, don’t panic! Delmarva Water Solutions offers several treatments for any of your water problems. Make sure your home has suitable water treatment systems by contacting us today!