San Diego’s water comes from three main sources — the Colorado River, runoff from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and local supplies like surface and groundwater. Once the water reaches the San Diego area via pipes, canals, and streams, it travels to one of three filtration plants where it is processed. From the filtration facilities, it is then disbursed to over 2 million people in the San Diego area using a complex system of waterways.
Hard, Poor-Quality Water
Dissolved iron and other hard minerals are absorbed during the filtration and treatment process, as well as along water's journey from source to tap. These absorbed minerals and metals cause the water to become hard and its quality depleted. Some household headaches associated with using hard water include:
Clogged appliances that lead to water-flow issues
Hard-to-clean residue and buildup on appliances, hardware, and surfaces
Soap scum on showers, bathtubs, and sinks
Prematurely aged clothing and linens that are rough to the touch
Lime or White Scale Buildup
Limescale is the hard, off-white deposit that creates buildup on many household items as a result of using hard water around the house. Some examples of this include:
Pesky sediment and scum buildup on bathroom and kitchen appliances
Underperforming appliances that result in added household costs
Off-white buildup that causes faucets and showerheads to clog
Difficult-to-clean surfaces
Spotty, Cloudy Glassware
Spotty and cloudy residue on glassware can be tough to get rid of with high mineral concentrations in your water. Doing the dishes with hard water can result in:
White spots on glasses and silverware
Easy-to-spot fingerprints on freshly cleaned glasses