Rebuilding Bridges on an Island: Culligan Men Make a Pledge

WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA - If Whidbey Islanders have questions about their water, they have new Culligan Men to call. Michael J. Nesheim of Culligan in Snohomish, King, and Island Counties, and Eric Clarke of Culligan in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties, together will be servicing all islands in Island County – including the San Juan Islands.

After a previous Culligan dealer left the area, the Nesheim and Clarke dealerships wanted to work together to find solutions for the area’s water issues. Clarke’s dealership handles everything north of Coupeville, and Nesheim’s dealership is responsible for everything in and south of the town.

Both dealerships welcome all unresolved issues left by the previous dealer.

“Problem solving is our forte and an honor; it gives us an opportunity to help right a wrong and build new relationships,” states Nesheim. “Being available is the first step – good, old-fashioned communication is the next. Followed with expert service and a smile, those traits usually lead to jobs well done and clients who are eager to refer their friends and neighbors.”

Whidbey Island’s water treatment issues vary depending on the water source; city or well. Nesheim explains that most of the well water and municipal or ‘city’ water supplies deliver relatively ‘hard’ water to their customers. Additionally, most wells on the island have other water problems ranging from orange and brown staining (iron and manganese), to Coliform bacteria and hydrogen sulfide - usually the cause of a “rotten egg” smell in hot and/or cold water.

“Our solutions to these problems also range depending on the number of problems, and the clients interest in solving them. Our dealerships both offer a ‘Water Walk-Through™’ service, which includes accurate on-site testing, as well as reviews on plumbing, water-using appliances, fixtures and water heaters,” says Clarke. “Based on the water testing results, we offer appropriate, applicable recommendations for every client.”

The Culligan brand is synonymous with service, and we are eager to bring that quality back to the residents of Island County,” says Clarke. “This is our community too, and our company is committed to maintaining high levels of excellence. The Culligan Man is back, we’re not going anywhere, and we’re here to stay.

Less Hard Water Does Not Mean Soft Water

From the Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Indiana

In light of the article “Utility piping softer water” (Nov. 5) devoted to Aqua Indiana’s soft-water claims, the residents of the Fort Wayne area deserve to hear the entire discussion when it comes to the changes in their home water quality.

As a member of the local business community, as well as a Culligan dealer, I have been barraged with questions and have seen the misconceptions about Aqua Indiana’s water create confusion and frustration. Certain issues must be addressed head-on to give area citizens peace of mind when it comes to their water.

First and foremost, less hard water does not equal soft water. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, only water that tests at less than 1 grain per gallon (gpg) concentration of hard minerals is considered “soft water.” Both the U.S. Geological Survey and the Water Quality Association support this classification. Hard minerals can include calcium and magnesium and are often the culprits behind dishwasher film, bathroom sink stains, itchy and dry skin and the decreased efficiency of water-using appliances.

There is no doubt that everyone has been affected by the region’s hard-water history at some point, with some tests charting hardness as high as 25 gpg. While Aqua Indiana has made some progress reducing the hardness, the area’s water still routinely tests at about 10 gpg. That still leaves a lot of hardness and even more questions.

That level still threatens residents’ pipes, challenges their laundry machines and wreaks havoc on hair and skin during every shower.

While Aqua Indiana’s claims ran without such qualifications, people removed their water softeners only to be faced with the uncomfortable truth about their so-called soft water. Water softeners still provide the highest level of soft water available, and Aqua Indiana’s vague statements and half-truths should not be taken without asking the tough questions.

The next time Aqua Indiana calls softener a “throw away,” it needs to face the hard facts about Fort Wayne water.

BRIAN O’ROURKE Fort Wayne

What the heck is hard water?

You have probably heard the term, heard your mom complain about it and your dad curse it like a bad golf swing. Hard water is actually responsible for a huge amount of waste and destruction in your home and on your body, and it should be cursed.

Down-and-really dirty

Hard water is considered water with a high volume of hard minerals, usually calcium and magnesium.(Sounds like a bad 80s singing duo) Anything with more than 1 grain of hard minerals per gallon is considered hard water. Anything above 3 gpg, run, don’t walk, to get a water softener. Believe me, you will thank me and may even send me a present.(I need new sweaters by the way.)

What Hard Water Does

These two nasty elements then run amuck on your skin, hair and household appliances. Ever get out of the shower and feel like, how do I say, gunky? That’s because soap and other products can’t rinse properly and subsequently dry out your skin and hair. Remember in old Acme cartoons, the fleas used to build whole cities on the family dog? It’s like that, in mineral form.

Appliances are not spared from hard water’s wrath. A recent study shower showerheads can get clogged and rendered inoperable within 18 months. Ever pull out dishes from the dishwasher to be greeted by filth spots? You can thank hard water. If your sink looks like a frat house just used it during its latest social, hard water is probably to blame. (Disclaimer: If you actually did just have a frat party, that’s also the reason the toilet is in the front yard.)

Time Goes By So Slowwwlllyyy

I know the Righteous Brothers did not have hard water in mind when they came up with that line. But who says they didn't? Moving on.

A study by Ohio State University indicated that time required for typical cleaning taskes was increased by 50 percent.

So look around your house and in the mirror and ask: Is hard water costing me money and time? If the answer is yes, yell “Hey Culligan Man!”

Less Hard is Not Soft

Recently, in Ft. Wayne, IN, Aqua Indiana and other utilities have made the claim that their water is “soft” – and cited in more than a few articles that current customers don’t need to use softeners anymore. Taking the utilities’ word, many consumers got rid of their softeners and subsequently found out the hard truth. Less hard is not soft.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, only water that tests with a less than 1 grains per gallon (gpg) concentration of hard minerals is considered soft water. Hard minerals include calcium and magnesium, and recent tests have shown that untreated hard water has a devastating effect on appliances.

In a May 5th article in the Journal Gazette, it is said the water will be “half as hard”, and I have to ask “half as hard” to what?

20 gpg to 10 gpg? 8 gpg to 4 gpg? I have to challenge their claims because I feel the real discussion has not been had on this issue. (UPDATE: My sources say that Aqua Indiana's water was 22 gpg before and will project to be 7 gpg. Bottom Line: Still very hard water!)

I feel the public is under a gross misconception when Aqua Indiana says the water is completely soft, and that softeners are no longer needed. The fact of the matter is that yes, some progress has been made, but the water is not even near the quality that a softener can attain.

Claims that their services equal a softener is simply not true.

All I ask for is a forum for debate, pros and cons, fact and fiction - and I welcome Aqua Indiana's thoughts.

More to come in this ongoing debate.

How Hard Water Destroys Household Appliances

Recently, the results of a major study by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Batelle Memorial Institute demonstrated the destructive effects untreated hard water has on home showerheads, in some cases rendering them inoperable after only 18 months of regular use.

“After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of showerhead nozzles became clogged,” according to WQA laboratory results.

Meanwhile, showerheads in homes using water softeners performed as well as the day of installation.

There are two options available for people looking to keep their showers intact. First off, every couple weeks you can use a toothpick, vinegar, and a heavy duty plastic bag to unclog the showerhead. That sounds like alot of fun.

Secondly, you can install a water softener, which will also help solve the problems hard water creates throughout the entire house.

While this particular study focused on the showerhead region, Culligan water consultants are quick to point out conditioned water affects everything from the water heater to the washing machine to the dishwasher. Surface spots and stains, as well as bad-smelling water, can all be byproducts of hard water. Contact your local Culligan dealer if you notice these water issues around your own home.

In addition to showerheads, the WQA and the Batelle Memorial Institute are studying the effects hard water has on other household appliances. For more information on the Water Quality Association’s study and ongoing research, please visit www.wqa.org.