Why and How you Should Maintain your Kinetico Water Softener
Los Gatos has long enjoyed the use of a local water supply in the form of the Los Gatos Creek Watershed, which is fed by the Lexington Reservoir just south of town.
The watershed accounts for about 80% of the town’s water supply, while much of the remaining supply is sourced from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)—though it’s formally “provided” by the San Jose Water Company. It’s also very possible in Los Gatos (or in neighboring Monte Sereno) that your water source is a local well. In either case, there’s a good chance that the water you get in Los Gatos contains high concentrations of Calcium Carbonate — CaCO3. CaCO3 is what makes water “hard.”
Hard water, though safe to drink, can cause strain, wear, and tear on your pipes and appliances. If you’re getting your water through a local well, then you may notice visible sediment and a strange taste. Such phenomena are likely the result of iron, sulfur, or other contaminants. If your water is coming through the city, then it’s being treated with chlorine or chloramine (an ammonia derivative) which causes an unpleasant, pungent taste.