Water Softener in Lake Elsinore, CA

Why does hardness vary so much here?

EVMWD provides water, wastewater and recycled water service to Lake Elsinore. About 85 percent of its water is imported: Metropolitan's Skinner plant water delivered through EMWD's Auld Valley Pipeline, and Mills plant water through Western Municipal Water District's Temescal Valley Pipeline. The other 15 percent or so is local groundwater from the Elsinore basin and Temescal wells.

The district's latest water quality report lists very different hardness for each. The Elsinore groundwater blend averages 338 ppm, with a range of 230 to 400. Water arriving through the Auld Valley Pipeline averages 217 ppm, Temescal groundwater 203 ppm, and water through the Temescal Valley Pipeline 93 ppm. In grains per gallon, that is roughly 5 to 20. Hardness at the tap can vary by area and season.

Is a softener worth it in Lake Elsinore?

For many homes, yes. At the harder end, scale builds quickly in water heaters, tankless units and faucet cartridges, and glass and fixtures spot fast. Even in areas that mostly get softer imported water, harder supplies can mix in. A demand-based softener, which regenerates on actual use, handles those swings without wasting salt. EVMWD disinfects with chlorine, which a softener leaves in place; use a carbon filter if taste matters.

Where does my responsibility start?

EVMWD maintains the service from the main in the street through the contents of the meter box. Everything on the property side of the meter box, including any softener and the pipe it ties into, belongs to the homeowner. Regeneration water goes into EVMWD's sewer system. The City of Lake Elsinore Building & Safety Division says permits are required to install, alter, repair or replace any plumbing system, so expect the plumber to check permit needs before starting.

Local note

Lake Elsinore grew from a lakeside resort town around a natural freshwater lake of about 3,000 acres. For water service questions, EVMWD's number is 951-674-3146. If you are not sure which supply reaches your neighborhood, a hardness test in summer and again in winter will show how much your own tap moves, and the plumber can set the softener for the harder reading. The district reports no lead service lines in its system, though customer-owned plumbing may still contain lead.