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Whether you need a permit or license for a water softener installation depends on your location, as requirements vary significantly. Some municipalities require the installer to hold a plumbing license, some mandate a permit and an inspection, and others require both. In some areas, no special permit or license is needed at all.

To determine the rules in your area, you can contact your local building department or consult a local water softener installer or plumber. Often, only certified professionals are authorized to pull the necessary permits, and they will typically handle the entire permitting process 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 Angi’s state licensing tool to check an installer’s license status.

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.

Yes. To get soft water, you can install a water softening system, which will replace the calcium and magnesium ions in the water with sodium or potassium ions. Water softeners cost anywhere from $200 to $6,000, depending on the size and complexity of the system. You can either install a water softener for the whole house or just at your shower heads. If you’re sensitive to sodium or potassium, you can install a salt-free water conditioner.

Yes. Hard water is what causes scale buildup, and a whole-house filter provides numerous benefits beyond water softening. Any water that enters your home will go through the filter, which cleans up all water that you will use for cooking, bathing, and drinking. A whole-house water filter also blocks harmful particles like heavy metals.