The Hardness Question

The Hardness Question

Kelly Thompson, owner of Moti-Vitality and MV Marketplace, asks and answers a difficult question in his WCP Online post: "At what level of hardness should you recommend a water softener?" While WQA sets 1 grain per gallon as "slightly hard," Thompson says preferences in different regions vary significantly. Long Island, for example, has a zero-tolerance approach to water hardness while in other markets 20-30 gpg is the norm. His article digs into unexpected evidence for softening, pointing to appliance manuals (like how dishwashers need double the detergent at 9 grains) and even ice maker warranties as proof of hard water's impact. But it's not as simple as "softer is better." Thompson notes there are some exceptions, like espresso machines, that actually perform better with some mineral content.

Wisconsin’s Plan for PFAS

Wisconsin's getting serious about their PFAS problem. Gov. Tony Evers just unveiled his 2025-27 budget plans which allocates a solid $145M to tackle water quality statewide. The package includes a new PFAS Community Grant Program to help municipal water systems test and eliminate PFAS. Plus, expanded eligibility for the Well Compensation Grant Program, which will help out homeowners with contaminated wells. There's also protection for farmers who unknowingly spread PFAS-contaminated biosolids, shielding them from cleanup costs. On the regulatory front, Wisconsin's implementing stricter standards for six PFAS compounds in groundwater, including PFOA and PFOS.

The Fluoride Debate

In a recent article for WCP Online, water quality expert David Davies presents the three overlooked issues that are complicating the fluoride debate:

• First: fluoride concentration at the tap is harder to pin down than people think, with levels fluctuating significantly (some small systems have reported ranges from undetectable to 9.5 mg/L).

• Second: even "safe" tap water meeting EPA standards contains trace amounts of other regulated contaminants, meaning fluoride doesn't travel alone.

• Third: while dentists have precise guidelines for topical fluoride treatments (down to the percentage), there's no specific guidance on how much fluoridated water different age groups should drink for optimal benefits.

This comes as a federal judge is requiring the EPA to investigate fluoridation risks, following concerns about potential cognitive impacts. For context, current EPA limits set the maximum at 4 mg/L, while the recommended level for cavity prevention is 0.7 mg/L.

Drinking Water from Air

Apparently, there are companies pulling drinking water out of thin air (literally). In a recent profile, Altitude Water's COO Jeff Szur breaks down how his Florida-based company is transforming atmospheric water generators (AWGs) from niche tech into a disaster response essential. The company's latest innovation is a solar-powered disaster relief trailer that can extract 200 gallons of water daily from humidity, while offering device charging and cell service. Already deployed during 2023's Maui wildfires and 2024's Hurricanes Helene and Milton, these units are proving to be helpful in crisis zones. Beyond emergency response, Altitude's tech is finding fans in unexpected places, such as a Kentucky summer camp where their AWG system solved a tricky water access problem. The company claims their approach eliminates over 17,000 water bottles weekly, and they're now expanding from U.S. markets into Africa, Asia, and South America.

What else is happening:

• Texas-based Alamo Water Softeners explains which water treatment methods are most effective for hotels and resorts

• SafeWell writes an article about their thoughts on chlorides in water

• WQA Podcast release a new episode about previewing the 2025 WQA Convention

• Reddit’s r/WaterTreatment discuss if shower filters are worth the money or if it’s just marketing