Best Water Softener for Boulder, CO — 15 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Boulder, CO

Every morning, thousands of Boulder homeowners unknowingly damage their plumbing with the first cup of coffee they brew. At 7.5 grains per gallon (GPG), Boulder's municipal water supply carries enough dissolved calcium and magnesium to classify as "hard water" — a designation that sounds harmless but costs the average Boulder household over $1,800 annually in hidden expenses.

To understand what 7.5 GPG means, imagine your water as a slow-moving river carrying invisible rocks. Each gallon flowing through your Boulder home contains 7.5 grains of mineral "rocks" — calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate that precipitate out whenever water is heated or evaporates. These minerals didn't appear by accident: Boulder draws its water primarily from the Colorado River system and local mountain snowmelt, both of which flow through limestone and dolomite geological formations for hundreds of miles before reaching treatment plants.

Boulder Water's treatment facilities remove pathogens and regulate pH, but they intentionally leave beneficial minerals intact — including the calcium and magnesium that create hardness. For Boulder residents, this means every shower, every load of laundry, and every cycle of the dishwasher deposits microscopic mineral scale throughout your home's plumbing system. The financial implications extend far beyond monthly utility bills: shortened appliance lifespans, increased detergent costs, and accelerated pipe replacement all compound into a substantial "hard water tax" that most Boulder homeowners pay without realizing it.

At 7.5 GPG, Boulder's water hardness sits squarely in the "hard" classification range, where scale buildup transitions from a minor inconvenience to active infrastructure damage. Homes in Boulder's Mapleton Hill, Table Mesa, and Gunbarrel neighborhoods all receive the same mineral-laden supply — meaning even newer construction faces the same calcium and magnesium challenges as Boulder's historic downtown residences.

2. What 7.5 GPG Does to Your Home

At Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness level, calcium carbonate begins forming measurable deposits on heating elements within 90 days of continuous use. Your water heater — whether traditional tank or tankless — operates by heating Boulder's mineral-rich water to 120-140°F, causing dissolved calcium and magnesium to precipitate into solid crystalline deposits. These deposits act like insulating blankets around heating elements, forcing your system to work progressively harder to achieve the same temperature.

Boulder homeowners with traditional 40-gallon water heaters typically see 10-12% efficiency loss within the first year at 7.5 GPG. A water heater that once cost $35 monthly to operate will increase to $39-40 monthly — an extra $48-60 annually just in energy waste. For tankless units, the impact is more severe: the narrow heat exchanger passages in high-efficiency models clog with scale deposits, reducing flow rates and triggering error codes that require expensive service calls.

Inside Boulder's household plumbing, 7.5 GPG creates a different challenge. Copper pipes — common in Boulder homes built from the 1960s through 1990s — develop internal scale rings as heated water evaporates at faucet aerators and showerheads. The calcium deposits start as microscopic crystals but grow into concentric rings that gradually narrow the effective pipe diameter. In Boulder's older neighborhoods near the University of Colorado campus, galvanized steel pipes face accelerated deterioration as scale deposits create rough surfaces that harbor corrosion.

Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness forces major appliances to work beyond their design specifications. Dishwashers manufactured for national markets assume an average water hardness of 3-5 GPG — Boulder's 7.5 GPG exceeds this baseline by 50-150%. The result: spray arms clog with mineral deposits, heating elements fail prematurely, and the interior develops permanent white film that cannot be removed with standard cleaning cycles. Washing machines experience similar stress, with calcium and magnesium building up in pump assemblies and valve seats.

The soap and detergent waste at 7.5 GPG becomes financially significant for Boulder households. Calcium and magnesium ions react with soap molecules to form insoluble precipitates — the grey scum that clings to shower walls and bathtub surfaces. Instead of creating cleaning lather, a substantial portion of each soap dose becomes waste product. Boulder families typically use 2.5-3 times more laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo compared to households with soft water. For a four-person Boulder household, this translates to approximately $180-220 in additional cleaning product costs annually.

Boulder residents frequently report skin and hair issues that correlate directly with 7.5 GPG water hardness. Calcium ions have a positive electrical charge that strips moisture from skin cells, leaving a tight, dry sensation after showering. Hair becomes dull and brittle as mineral deposits coat individual hair shafts, preventing natural oils from distributing properly. Children with sensitive skin or eczema often experience symptom flare-ups in Boulder homes with untreated hard water.

The cumulative annual "hard water tax" for Boulder households at 7.5 GPG includes: $48-60 in extra energy costs, $180-220 in additional soap and detergent, approximately $200-300 in accelerated appliance depreciation, and $150-200 in extra maintenance and repairs. Total estimated impact: $578-780 annually for the average Boulder household — costs that compound year after year until the underlying hardness problem is addressed.

3. Boulder's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the 7.5 GPG hardness baseline, Boulder's water presents additional challenges that interact with mineral content in complex ways. Boulder Water treats the municipal supply with chloramine, adds fluoride for dental health, and manages trace sediment from seasonal snowmelt — each requiring different removal strategies that must work alongside hardness treatment.

Chloramine in Boulder's Water Supply

Boulder Water switched from chlorine to chloramine disinfection in 2009 to comply with federal disinfection byproduct regulations. Chloramine — a combination of chlorine and ammonia — provides more stable disinfection as water travels through Boulder's extensive distribution system, but it creates unique challenges for homeowners. Unlike chlorine, which dissipates naturally when water sits in an open container, chloramine remains active indefinitely.

At Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness level, chloramine interactions become more problematic. Scale deposits inside pipes and appliances provide surface area where chloramine can concentrate and react with metal components. Boulder residents often notice a distinctive "band-aid" or medicinal odor from tap water — the signature of chloramine that cannot be removed by standard activated carbon filters. Chloramine requires catalytic carbon or specialized media for effective removal.

For Boulder homeowners with fish tanks or aquariums, chloramine presents a serious challenge: it's toxic to aquatic life at any concentration. Standard dechlorination drops designed for chlorine will not neutralize chloramine — Boulder aquarium owners need specific chloramine-neutralizing products or filtration. The SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove chloramine — Boulder households seeking chloramine reduction need a separate catalytic carbon whole-house filter installed upstream or downstream of the softener.

Fluoride Addition in Boulder

Boulder Water adds fluoride to the municipal supply at approximately 0.7 mg/L — the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for dental health. Fluoride enters the treatment process as a carefully controlled additive, not a natural geological contaminant. The compound used — fluorosilicic acid — dissociates into fluoride ions once added to Boulder's water supply.

Fluoride does not interact chemically with Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness, but the presence of both creates complexity for homeowners seeking comprehensive water treatment. Ion exchange water softeners — including the SoftPro Elite HE — do not remove fluoride from water. The resin targets only calcium and magnesium ions; fluoride passes through unchanged. Boulder residents who wish to reduce fluoride intake at the kitchen tap need point-of-use reverse osmosis filtration in addition to whole-house softening.

Boulder's fluoride levels remain well below the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 4.0 mg/L and the secondary standard of 2.0 mg/L. For the majority of Boulder households, fluoride at 0.7 mg/L presents no health concerns and provides the intended dental benefits. Parents of infants who exclusively drink formula should be aware that mixing formula with fluoridated water can exceed recommended fluoride intake for babies under 6 months — Boulder pediatricians often recommend low-fluoride or fluoride-free water for formula preparation.

Trace Sediment from Seasonal Runoff

Boulder's water supply experiences seasonal turbidity increases during spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms, when mountain runoff carries fine particles into the Colorado River system. These episodes typically occur from April through July, when Boulder Water must balance aggressive filtration with maintaining adequate flow rates to serve the city's growing population.

Sediment particles interact with Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness by providing nucleation sites where calcium and magnesium can precipitate more rapidly. Even trace amounts of suspended particles accelerate scale formation inside water heaters and appliances. Boulder homeowners often notice increased sediment during late spring, when snowmelt peaks and treatment plants operate at maximum capacity.

The SoftPro Elite HE includes a self-cleaning sediment pre-filter specifically designed to address this challenge. Before Boulder's hard water reaches the ion exchange resin, particles are captured and periodically backwashed to the drain. This protects the expensive resin bed from premature fouling and extends system life in Boulder's seasonally variable water supply.

4. Why Most Boulder Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

The biggest mistake Boulder homeowners make is buying a water softener based on price alone, without understanding how 7.5 GPG hardness determines the grain capacity they actually need. A 24,000-grain softener that works adequately in Denver or Colorado Springs will be overwhelmed by Boulder's mineral load within days. The result: hard water breakthrough, frustrated homeowners, and expensive service calls that could have been avoided with proper sizing.

Here's the math Boulder sales representatives often skip: a family of four uses approximately 300 gallons daily. At Boulder's 7.5 GPG, this creates 2,250 grains of hardness demand every single day. A 24,000-grain system would theoretically last 10-11 days between regenerations — but resin efficiency declines as the bed approaches exhaustion. In practice, Boulder homeowners with undersized systems experience hard water breakthrough after 6-7 days, defeating the entire purpose of water treatment.

The second critical mistake is confusing water softeners with comprehensive filtration systems. Boulder homeowners dealing with both 7.5 GPG hardness and chloramine often assume one system can address both challenges. Ion exchange resins remove calcium and magnesium through a charge-based swap with sodium ions — this process has no effect on chloramine, fluoride, or other dissolved contaminants. Boulder households need a two-stage approach: softening for hardness minerals, and specialized filtration for chemical contaminants.

Boulder's elevation and climate create a third common mistake: ignoring regeneration frequency in low-humidity conditions. At 5,400 feet above sea level, Boulder's dry air accelerates water evaporation throughout the home — from shower walls to faucet aerators to appliance interiors. This increased evaporation concentrates mineral deposits and forces softener systems to work harder than manufacturers' standard calculations assume. Boulder homeowners who size their systems for sea-level humidity often find themselves regenerating more frequently than expected.

The fourth mistake involves salt efficiency — a critical factor that becomes expensive over time in Boulder's 7.5 GPG environment. Older softener designs use 15-20 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle, regardless of actual resin exhaustion. With Boulder's hardness requiring regeneration every 5-7 days, inefficient systems consume 1,000+ pounds of salt annually. High-efficiency models like the SoftPro Elite HE use demand-initiated regeneration, reducing salt consumption by 40-60% while maintaining consistent water quality throughout Boulder's variable seasonal conditions.

5. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Boulder's Water

After evaluating Boulder's water hardness of 7.5 GPG and the presence of chloramine, fluoride, and trace sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Boulder homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This recommendation isn't based on marketing claims or manufacturer relationships — it's the logical engineering solution to Boulder's specific water chemistry challenges.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses salt-based ion exchange — the only technology that physically removes calcium and magnesium from Boulder's 7.5 GPG water supply. Salt-free systems marketed as "conditioners" or "descalers" do not actually extract hardness minerals from water. Instead, they attempt to change crystal structure through magnetic fields or template-assisted crystallization. These technologies show limited effectiveness above 5 GPG and provide no measurable benefit at Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness level. For Boulder homeowners investing in water treatment, only true ion exchange delivers genuinely soft water that prevents scale formation.

Demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) is operationally essential for Boulder households, not merely a convenience feature. At 7.5 GPG, resin beds exhaust faster than in soft-water cities like Seattle or Portland. DIR technology monitors actual water usage and hardness removal in real-time, triggering regeneration only when the resin approaches true exhaustion. This prevents two expensive problems common in Boulder: hard water breakthrough when systems under-regenerate, and excessive salt consumption when systems over-regenerate on fixed timers.

The SoftPro Elite HE meets NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification for water softening performance and materials safety. For Boulder residents already managing chloramine and fluoride in their water supply, knowing that the softening process itself introduces no additional contaminants becomes critically important. NSF certification verifies that resin materials won't leach chemicals into treated water and that hardness removal meets published specifications under controlled testing conditions.

Grain capacity options in the SoftPro Elite HE line (32K, 48K, 64K, 80K) allow precise sizing for Boulder households at 7.5 GPG hardness. Using the standard calculation: 4 people × 75 gallons daily × 7.5 GPG = 2,250 grains daily demand. Multiplying by 7 days gives 15,750 grains weekly. Adding a 20% buffer for high-usage periods brings the requirement to 18,900 grains — making the 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE the optimal choice for most Boulder families. This capacity provides 5-7 days between regenerations, maximizing both efficiency and water quality consistency.

The 10-year manufacturer warranty provides Boulder homeowners with protection during the highest-stress operational period. At 7.5 GPG, softener resin sees heavy daily mineral loading compared to systems in soft-water regions. Calcium and magnesium ions gradually degrade resin structure through repeated charge-exchange cycles. The warranty covers both resin replacement and control valve repairs that might result from Boulder's demanding water conditions.

The SoftPro Elite HE's self-cleaning sediment pre-filter addresses Boulder's seasonal turbidity challenges before particles reach the expensive resin bed. During spring snowmelt periods when Boulder Water struggles with increased particulate levels, the pre-filter captures suspended matter and backwashes it to drain during regular regeneration cycles. This protection is particularly valuable for Boulder homeowners in neighborhoods near Fourmile Canyon or other areas affected by wildfire watershed impacts.

For Boulder households dealing with 7.5 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of chloramine, fluoride, and seasonal sediment, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Boulder

Proper sizing for Boulder's 7.5 GPG water hardness requires precise calculation — guesswork leads to either inadequate softening or excessive salt consumption. Follow these steps to determine the correct grain capacity for your Boulder household:

Step 1: Count household members, including children who shower daily. Boulder's active outdoor lifestyle often means higher-than-average water usage for post-hiking showers and gear washing.

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day. This accounts for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing under normal conditions.

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 7.5 GPG = daily grain demand. This calculates the actual mineral load your softener must process each day in Boulder.

Step 4: Multiply daily grains × 7 = weekly grain demand. Most efficient softeners regenerate weekly for optimal salt and water usage.

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days. Boulder households often have guests for skiing, hiking, or CU events that increase water consumption unpredictably.

Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity: 32K / 48K / 64K / 80K models.

Example calculation for a 4-person Boulder household:
4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily
300 gallons × 7.5 GPG = 2,250 grains daily
2,250 grains × 7 days = 15,750 grains weekly
15,750 + 20% buffer = 18,900 grains total capacity needed

Recommendation: SoftPro Elite HE 48K model — provides 48,000 grain capacity with regeneration every 5-7 days for peak efficiency. Boulder homeowners should avoid stretching regeneration cycles beyond 7 days, as resin efficiency drops significantly when beds approach full exhaustion at 7.5 GPG hardness levels.

7. Installation in Boulder: What to Know

Boulder does not require licensed plumber installation for residential water softeners, but the city does mandate proper drain connections and backflow prevention. Most Boulder homeowners can legally install the SoftPro Elite HE themselves or hire a handyman, though complex plumbing situations may warrant professional installation.

Proper placement follows this sequence: main water shutoff valve → water meter → SoftPro Elite HE → water heater and household distribution. The softener must be installed after the main shutoff but before any water heating equipment to prevent scale formation in tanks and heat exchangers. Boulder homes with irrigation systems should bypass the softener for outdoor watering — sodium from regeneration can damage soil and landscaping over time.

Drain line requirements in Boulder are straightforward but essential: the SoftPro Elite HE needs a drain connection within 20 feet for regeneration discharge. Boulder's municipal code allows softener discharge to flow into laundry drains, floor drains, or dedicated standpipes — but not into septic systems if your Boulder home uses on-site wastewater treatment. The discharge line cannot have any valves or restrictions that might create backpressure during regeneration cycles.

Boulder's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 50-80 PSI throughout most residential areas — well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-80 PSI. Homes in Boulder's foothills or newer developments like Gunbarrel may experience higher pressures that require a pressure-reducing valve upstream of the softener. Boulder homeowners can test water pressure using an inexpensive gauge attached to any threaded faucet or hose connection.

For Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness level, use high-purity evaporated salt pellets exclusively. Solar crystals and rock salt contain impurities that create brine tank residue and reduce resin life at higher hardness levels. Morton, Diamond Crystal, and other national brands offer NSF-certified evaporated pellets at Boulder-area hardware stores and home centers. Avoid "iron-fighting" or specialty salts unless you have confirmed iron contamination through water testing.

Salt level monitoring becomes routine at 7.5 GPG consumption rates. Check monthly and maintain salt levels at least 6 inches above the water line in the brine tank. Boulder's dry climate accelerates salt bridging — a crust formation that blocks proper dissolution during regeneration. Breaking up salt bridges with a broom handle prevents regeneration failures that allow hard water breakthrough.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Boulder Homeowners

Boulder's 7.5 GPG water hardness creates a moderate maintenance schedule — more intensive than soft-water cities but manageable with consistent attention. The mineral loading places steady stress on system components without overwhelming them, provided homeowners follow this calibrated maintenance routine.

Monthly Maintenance:
Check salt level in the brine tank — consumption will be moderate at 7.5 GPG, typically 40-60 pounds monthly for a 4-person Boulder household. Look for salt bridging, especially during Boulder's dry winter months when low humidity encourages crust formation above the water line. Confirm the bypass valve remains in the "service" position — Boulder homeowners sometimes accidentally switch to bypass during plumbing repairs and forget to restore normal operation.

Every 3 Months:
Clean the brine tank to remove accumulated sediment and salt residue. Test post-softener water hardness using test strips available at Boulder hardware stores — readings should consistently show under 1 GPG. If hardness creeps above 1 GPG, the system may need earlier regeneration or resin cleaning. Inspect the sediment pre-filter for accumulated particles, especially during Boulder's spring runoff season when turbidity increases.

Annual Maintenance:
Perform complete brine tank cleaning, including scrubbing walls and replacing any damaged components. Conduct a comprehensive resin bed performance check — Boulder homeowners should test both incoming and outgoing water hardness to verify the system is removing 7.5 GPG effectively. If post-softener hardness exceeds 1 GPG consistently, resin may need specialized cleaning or replacement earlier than the 10-year warranty period. Review regeneration timing and salt dosage settings to ensure they remain optimal for Boulder's water conditions.

Every 5 Years:
Evaluate resin replacement needs based on performance testing and visual inspection. At 7.5 GPG, quality resin should maintain effectiveness for 8-12 years, but Boulder's seasonal water chemistry variations may accelerate degradation. Professional resin sampling can determine whether cleaning, partial replacement, or complete resin change will restore optimal performance.

Boulder-Specific Tip: Order a home water test kit annually to establish baseline measurements and track any changes in Boulder's municipal supply. Seasonal variations in hardness, chloramine levels, and turbidity help Boulder homeowners optimize their treatment approach and anticipate maintenance needs before problems develop.

9. Frequently Asked Questions for Boulder Residents

10. Is Boulder's water at 7.5 GPG dangerous to drink?

No, Boulder's 7.5 GPG water hardness presents no health risks — calcium and magnesium are essential dietary minerals. The World Health Organization actually recommends these minerals in drinking water for cardiovascular health. Boulder's water meets all EPA safety standards for hardness and is considered beneficial for human consumption. The problems with 7.5 GPG are entirely related to plumbing, appliances, and household convenience rather than health concerns.

11. Will a water softener remove chloramine from Boulder's water?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove chloramine from Boulder's municipal supply. Ion exchange resin targets only calcium and magnesium ions — chloramine passes through unchanged. Boulder households wanting to reduce chloramine need a separate catalytic carbon whole-house filter installed before or after the softener. Standard activated carbon filters are ineffective against chloramine and should not be used for this purpose in Boulder.

12. How much salt will I use per month in Boulder at 7.5 GPG?

A typical 4-person Boulder household will use approximately 45-65 pounds of salt monthly with the SoftPro Elite HE at 7.5 GPG hardness. This assumes regeneration every 6-7 days and high-efficiency salt usage. Older softener models can use 80-100 pounds monthly under the same conditions. Boulder's dry climate may increase usage slightly due to more frequent regeneration needs during low-humidity periods.

13. Does Boulder require a permit to install a water softener?

Boulder does not require permits for standard residential water softener installation when no new plumbing connections are created. However, if installation requires moving or installing new water lines, Boulder's building department may require a plumbing permit. Most SoftPro Elite HE installations use existing connections and qualify for permit exemption. Contact Boulder Building Services at 303-441-1880 to confirm requirements for your specific installation.

14. Why does soft water feel slippery in the shower?

Soft water allows soap to create true lather instead of combining with calcium and magnesium to form scum. Boulder residents accustomed to 7.5 GPG hardness are used to soap being neutralized by minerals — when those minerals are removed, normal soap becomes much more effective. The slippery sensation is actually complete rinsing and proper soap function. Most Boulder homeowners adjust within 1-2 weeks and prefer the feel of truly clean skin and hair.

15. How quickly will I see results after installing a softener in Boulder?

Boulder homeowners notice immediate differences in soap lathering and water feel within 24 hours of SoftPro Elite HE installation. Existing scale deposits in water heaters and appliances dissolve gradually over 2-3 months as soft water circulation slowly removes accumulated buildup. Skin and hair improvements typically appear within 1-2 weeks as mineral coating washes away. Energy efficiency gains become measurable after the first full month of operation.

Actionable Content Blocks

What to Do Next

Test your current water: Purchase a hardness test kit from Boulder hardware stores to confirm 7.5 GPG levels in your specific home. Check your water heater: Look for white mineral buildup around the temperature relief valve — a clear indicator of scale formation. Calculate your costs: Add up monthly spending on soap, detergent, and cleaning products to establish your current "hard water tax" baseline.

Homeowner Checklist

Before buying any softener: Measure available space for installation and confirm drain access within 20 feet. Verify water pressure: Test at multiple faucets to ensure 25-80 PSI throughout your Boulder home. Check for iron staining: Red or orange stains indicate iron contamination that requires pre-filtration before the SoftPro Elite HE.

Recommended Setup for Boulder

Primary system: SoftPro Elite HE 48K for most Boulder households. Salt choice: High-purity evaporated pellets only at 7.5 GPG hardness. Optional additions: Catalytic carbon filter if chloramine removal is desired, point-of-use RO for fluoride reduction at kitchen tap.

30-Day Action Plan

Week 1: Test current water quality and measure available installation space. Week 2: Calculate household grain capacity needs and verify Boulder installation requirements. Week 3: Research SoftPro Elite HE pricing and grain capacity options. Week 4: Schedule installation or gather tools for DIY setup.

Final Verdict for Boulder

Boulder's water hardness of 7.5 GPG demands serious-grade treatment — this isn't a convenience upgrade, it's essential infrastructure protection for your home. The combination of calcium and magnesium minerals with chloramine disinfection creates a layered challenge that requires both engineering precision and operational reliability. Generic "water conditioners" and undersized softeners simply cannot handle Boulder's mineral load without frequent failures and frustrated homeowners.

The SoftPro Elite HE water softener represents the logical solution to Boulder's specific water chemistry profile. Its demand-initiated regeneration prevents both hard water breakthrough and salt waste at 7.5 GPG consumption rates. The NSF-certified resin provides verified performance standards, while the self-cleaning pre-filter addresses Boulder's seasonal turbidity challenges. Most importantly, the 48,000-grain capacity properly handles Boulder household demands without the undersizing problems that plague cheaper alternatives.

For Boulder homeowners ready to stop paying the hidden "hard water tax," the path forward is clear: check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for a Boulder household. The system pays for itself through reduced energy bills, soap savings, and appliance protection — typically within 18-24 months at Boulder's 7.5 GPG hardness level. Given Boulder's continued population growth and aging infrastructure, treating your water at the point of entry becomes more valuable each year.

Whether you're watching sunrise from the Flatirons or hosting friends for a CU football game, you deserve water that protects your home instead of slowly damaging it — one mineral deposit at a time.