Water Hardness Basics

JBWD Water Quality: Hardness and Softener Overview and Considerations

Customers of JBWD considering the installation of a residential water softening system should weigh several factors regarding water testing, historical water quality data, and the specific mineral composition of their water supply. While the District cannot endorse any particular brand, model, or installer, here are some points to keep in mind.

Consulting with the Water District Homeowners often wonder if it is necessary to reach out to the District first or if there are specific regulations or details they need to know before shopping. The District does not regulate the purchase or installation of water softeners because they are installed after the water meter. The information that follows is intended to provide guidance and additional data about this water quality topic.

Local Context: Why do homeowners on Camano Island often install water softeners?  Camano Island well water typically tests in the "Hard" to "Very Hard" range (often 7–15 grains per gallon). Residents on island well systems frequently report scale buildup on fixtures, reduced lifespan of hot water heaters, and "dry" feeling skin—classic signs that they consider in determining if softening is beneficial. Camano Island relies on groundwater aquifers (unlike Seattle, which uses surface water). Groundwater in this region is naturally high in dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water professionals generally recommend softeners for anything over 7 grains per gallon. Most Camano Island wells exceed this.

Existing Water Quality Data vs. Home Testing Homeowners should evaluate whether purchasing a personal water testing kit is a "necessary expense" given that testing kits can vary widely in price.

• Availability of Data: The District has extensive data on water quality. For example, the Juniper Beach Water District maintains records of "Total Hardness (as Calcium Carbonate)".  Here is the link to the Water Quality webpage on the District’s website: https://www.juniperbeachwaterdistrict.net/about/water-quality. 

• Hardness Levels: To select the correct softener, one must determine the "grain/ gallon or gpg," a metric specific to selecting a water softener.. The district's data reports hardness in mg/L (e.g., a "Blended Sample" showed a hardness of 250 mg/L on December 24, 2025, and 270 mg/L on September 22, 2025). Reviewing this existing data may negate the need for an expensive private test.  Most installation companies will insist on getting a recent water sample from the residence location.

Specific Mineral Content and Contaminants When selecting a filtration system, homeowners must consider more than just calcium hardness, as other minerals can impact system performance or require specialized filtration:

• Iron and Manganese: These minerals can foul standard water softeners. The district data shows detectable levels of Iron and Manganese.  hmHomeowners should ensure their chosen system is rated to handle the specific concentrations found in the water.

• Source Variability: Water quality, especially hardness, can change because the District uses different wells at different times. For example, a single well might have a hardness of 120 mg/L, but the water delivered to homes (the "blended sample," taken after treatment) could be more than double that, around 270 mg/L, on the same day. Homeowners should know that the hardness of their water can vary throughout the year.

System Sizing and Capacity The "grains per gallon" measurement is critical for sizing a system correctly for a specific household size, such as a "family of 4". Using the district's historical high-end hardness numbers ensures the system is robust enough to handle peak hardness levels.