Get matched with top water softener pros in Empire, CA

Q: Which areas of the U.S. have hard water?

• <div><p>Most of the U.S. has hard water, especially across portions of the West and Midwest. The areas with the hardest water include parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Illinois, North and South Dakota, Ohio, and New York. You&rsquo;ll find soft water in parts of New England, the Southeast, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii.</p></div>

Q: Do you need a license or permit to install a water softener?

• <div><p>Whether you need a license or permit for water softener installation depends on your location. Some municipalities require the installer to hold a plumbing license, while others may only require a permit and an inspection. In some cases, both a permit and a licensed installer are necessary, and some areas have no requirements at all. Often, only certified plumbers and electricians are allowed to pull the necessary permits. To find out the specific regulations in your area, you can contact your local building department. Alternatively, a local water softener installer or plumber will be familiar with the requirements and can typically pull the permits for you. Regardless of local laws, it is always recommended to hire a licensed professional to ensure the system is sized and installed correctly. You can use tools like Angi&rsquo;s state licensing tool to verify an installer's license status.</p></div>

Q: Can you have both a water softener and a water filter?

• <div><p>Yes, you can have both a water softener and a water filter. In fact, some manufacturers sell dual water softening and filtration systems that treat hard water and provide clean drinking water. If you&rsquo;re unsure about what you need or want to discuss your options, reach out to a <a href="https://www.angi.com/nearme/install-water-softener/">local water softener installation company</a>.</p></div>

Q: How much do water softeners cost?

• <div><p>A lower-end water softener would cost around<b> $900,</b> not including installation. Each home has different requirements, water hardness, and number of inhabitants, so there&rsquo;s a huge range in pricing&mdash;<b>$600</b> to over <b>$6,000</b>. The average <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-water-softener-repair-cost.htm">water softener repair bill</a> is around <b>$500</b>, meaning it&rsquo;s a much better option to repair any issues and only replace your softener if absolutely necessary. </p></div>

Q: How do you get rid of heavy hard water deposits?

• <div><p>It depends on the type of surface. For instance, if you&rsquo;re trying to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-remove-hard-water-stains.htm">get rid of hard water deposits</a> on glass, you can spray vinegar onto the surface and wipe it off with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. However, if the deposits are on granite or natural stone, it&rsquo;s better to use baking soda and water rather than vinegar or other acidic cleaners.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Softener Service pros in Empire, CA

*The Angi rating for Water Softener Service companies in Empire, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Softener Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Softener Service companies in Empire, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Softener Service needs.

Last update on January 08, 2026

Reviewed in January 2026
He did a great job replacing my water softener smoothly and efficiently. They were very friendly and quite affordable. Thanks a bunch
HandsOnPanda - Unlicensed Contractor
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Reviewed in November 2024
Mike did a real good job repairing the front yard sprinkler system water leak.
Robbins Landscaping and Handyman Services
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Reviewed in January 2024
Our shower faucet broke so we had to turn off the main water, Thursday evening and they were able to send someone to fix it by noon the next day. We greatly appreciated that because on that Saturday we were having our family Christmas party and needed our water back on.
Discount Plumbing, Heating & Air
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Reviewed in April 2023
It went very well. My toilet over flowed, they came out super fast and extracted the water. I would definitely recommend them with any water damage. And I will be calling them for any damage.
American Restoration Water, Fire and Mold Damage LLC
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Reviewed in July 2022
We were having problems with our water softener. After calling them for service and the reviewing the work they did, I am completely confident in the work and service they provided. They are knowledgeable and experienced and they are an excellent choice if you are in need of service.
A-1 Water Quality
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Reviewed in August 2021
The repairman went out of his way to try to please us and even offered to come back free-of-charge to expand our water system if we need it.
Humble Servant Landscape Maintenance
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Reviewed in August 2021
Richie and George fixed my entire house today. New faucets in the guest bath, new faucet in the kitchen, fixed a leaking commode, replaced the master bath commode, and repaired the powder room commode. When Al arrived he got the water softener up and running. This is the best plumbing company...
CC & Son's Plumbing Solutions, Inc.
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Reviewed in May 2021
Great experience with Living Water. I will be recommending them to anyone who is looking for a water softener system. Their crew was very professional and knowledgeable about the equipment. The system was affordable, and has greatly improved the quality of water in my house. I shopped around at...
Living Water Company
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Find Water softener pros in Empire

AAA Water Systems

4.8(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1993

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Damian F. Did a fantastic job at presenting us the benefits of living in a household with filtered water. He was very professional yet personable and explained in great detail of what Kinetico is all about. I would recommend him for every house owner interested in purchasing or even learning what water softener systems do and what they provide."

Whole Home Softener / Filter & Reverse Osmosis System

Compact Kinetico Drinking Water System. NSF 58 Certified to provide high quality drinking water!

Desktop style Kinetico Drinking Water System providing high quality water with NSF 58 certification.

+18

Response time1 day

37 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by97%of homeowners

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"I really enjoyed having Cameron with CAL Plumbing take care of my new Tankless water heater install. The amount of care and precision that went into to his work was nothing short of amazing. If you or anybody you know needs work done by a True Craftsman give this company a call!"

5 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Mainline Plumbing Inc.

4.5(

210

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Mainline Plumbing arrived within one day of being contacted. They fixed the leak and advised my grandson on replacing the water line to the refrigerator. Definitely would call them back for any other plumbing work."

Response time7 hrs

Response rate100%

7 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Living Water Well Drilling

4.6(

)

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Final project turned out great!""

Response time1 day

25 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1996

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Very pleased with the new water softener & installation"

+24

Response time11 hrs

Response rate96%

Recommended by97%of homeowners

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Puronics Service, Inc.

4.0(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1991

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"He was on time, very professional and knowledgeable. Finished on time cleaned up nicely. Excellent price great tasting water"

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Mainline Plumbing, Inc.

4.5(

182

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2001

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Mainline was the only business that replied although there were several listed from Home Advisor. They came the same day I asked about getting it done and completed removing the old water heater and installed the new one within hours! I could have waited to see if the parts I needed could be sourced but since the heater was 14 years old I opted to install a new one. Could not see possibly paying half the cost of a new one for service and parts and then maybe waiting for it to be completed only to have it need service or replacement a couple years down the road."

+17

Response time4 hrs

Recommended by93%of homeowners

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E&G Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

4.4(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Alain was able to get over right away and got our water heater running the same day. So thankful since I have kids with special needs in the house."

Response time2 hrs

Response rate89%

Recommended by83%of homeowners

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I.Q Plumbing & Rooter, Inc

5.0(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"This company came to replace my tank water heater with a tankless and they did a amazing job, I will recommend them for any plumbing repair."

6 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Herman Landscaping and Sprinkler Services

4.3(

)

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Empire, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Herman came out to do a very thorough evaluation and assessment. He did all the work as planned. He worked continuously for 3 days installing a drain for irrigation as well as handled all the sprinkler repair needs. He is very experienced and knowledgeable. I was very happy with his work."

Landscaping installation, bark,rocks, grass and irrigation system

+89

Response time1 day

Response rate100%

Recommended by95%of homeowners

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 29

Water Softeners questions, answered by experts

Most of the U.S. has hard water, especially across portions of the West and Midwest. The areas with the hardest water include parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Illinois, North and South Dakota, Ohio, and New York. You’ll find soft water in parts of New England, the Southeast, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii.

Whether you need a license or permit for water softener installation depends on your location. Some municipalities require the installer to hold a plumbing license, while others may only require a permit and an inspection. In some cases, both a permit and a licensed installer are necessary, and some areas have no requirements at all. Often, only certified plumbers and electricians are allowed to pull the necessary permits. To find out the specific regulations in your area, you can contact your local building department. Alternatively, a local water softener installer or plumber will be familiar with the requirements and can typically pull the permits for you. Regardless of local laws, it is always recommended to hire a licensed professional to ensure the system is sized and installed correctly. You can use tools like Angi’s state licensing tool to verify an installer's license status.

Yes, you can have both a water softener and a water filter. In fact, some manufacturers sell dual water softening and filtration systems that treat hard water and provide clean drinking water. If you’re unsure about what you need or want to discuss your options, reach out to a local water softener installation company.

A lower-end water softener would cost around $900, not including installation. Each home has different requirements, water hardness, and number of inhabitants, so there’s a huge range in pricing—$600 to over $6,000. The average water softener repair bill is around $500, meaning it’s a much better option to repair any issues and only replace your softener if absolutely necessary.

It depends on the type of surface. For instance, if you’re trying to get rid of hard water deposits on glass, you can spray vinegar onto the surface and wipe it off with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. However, if the deposits are on granite or natural stone, it’s better to use baking soda and water rather than vinegar or other acidic cleaners.

The Empire, CA homeowners’ guide to water softener services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Haley Nothstein
•
Mar 18, 2026Mar 18, 2026
How Much Does a Water Softener Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
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•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
What Is a Water Softener and Is It Right for Your Home?
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•
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How a Water Softener Works: Comprehensive Guide
Water softeners work to remove unwanted minerals from hard water through a filtration and recharge cycle. Keep reading to learn how a water softener works.
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•
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4 Water Softener Alternatives That Ditch the Salt
There are four common softener alternatives available on the market today. We compare and contrast each one to help you find your best-fit solution in this blog.
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•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
Water Softener Regeneration: A Brilliantly Discreet Method for Removing Hard Water
Water softeners rid your home of hard minerals and, well, soften your water. Even better, the regeneration process is an automatic cycle that works when you’re least likely to use it.
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•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
Give Your Water a Gentle Touch With These Efficient Water Softeners
Water softeners remove hard minerals from your tap water, improving plumbing systems and water-using appliances. Here are the most efficient water softeners out there.