Best Water Softener for Clovis, CA — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Clovis, CA

When your Clovis dishwasher's interior looks like it's been sandblasted with white powder after just six months of use, you're witnessing the devastating effects of extremely hard water. At 17.2 grains per gallon (GPG), Clovis water ranks among the hardest municipal supplies in California — a mineral concentration so extreme that it transforms every water-using appliance in your home into a ticking time bomb.

To understand what 17.2 GPG means in practical terms, imagine your water as liquid concrete mix. Every gallon of Clovis water carries 17.2 grains of dissolved calcium and magnesium — minerals that turn solid the moment water heats up or evaporates. For perspective, water above 14 GPG is classified as "extremely hard" by industry standards, putting Clovis residents well into crisis territory.

Clovis draws its water supply primarily from the San Joaquin Valley groundwater basin, where decades of agricultural runoff and natural geological deposits have created a perfect storm of mineral saturation. The Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east contributes calcium-rich snowmelt, while the valley floor's sedimentary layers add magnesium compounds that have been concentrating for generations. This geological reality means Clovis water hardness isn't a temporary condition — it's a permanent characteristic of the local supply.

For Clovis homeowners, 17.2 GPG hardness translates into immediate financial consequences. Water heaters lose 8-12% efficiency per year of operation, meaning a $3,000 tankless unit can cost an extra $400 annually in wasted energy by year three. Appliance manufacturers like Rinnai and Navien specifically void warranties when their equipment operates above 12 GPG without a softener — making every day of delay a gamble with thousands of dollars in potential losses.

2. What 17.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At Clovis's extreme 17.2 GPG hardness level, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your water heater elements — it forms thick, concrete-like shells that can reduce a 40-gallon tank's capacity by 8-12 gallons within 18 months. The calcium and magnesium ions in Clovis water become aggressive scale-formers the moment water temperature exceeds 140°F, creating crystalline deposits that act like insulation barriers around heating elements.

Inside your water heater, these minerals don't distribute evenly. Scale forms in concentric rings, with the thickest buildup occurring at the bottom where sediment settles and temperatures peak. A Clovis household running 17.2 GPG water through an unprotected water heater can expect 30-40% efficiency loss within two years — transforming a $40 monthly energy bill into a $65 monthly penalty for hard water.

The pipe damage timeline in Clovis homes follows a predictable pattern. Galvanized steel pipes, common in Clovis properties built before 1980, show measurable diameter reduction within 3-4 years at 17.2 GPG. The calcite crystallization process accelerates in hot water lines, where calcium and magnesium ions bond to pipe walls during every heating cycle. Copper pipes fare better but still accumulate scale rings at joints and elbows where water turbulence creates nucleation sites.

For major appliances, 17.2 GPG creates a hostile operating environment that manufacturers never intended their equipment to handle. Dishwashers typically last 9-12 years nationally, but Clovis homeowners report replacement needs after just 5-7 years due to scale-clogged spray arms and pump assemblies. Washing machines suffer similar fates — calcium deposits jam inlet valves, clog drain pumps, and etch permanent white films across drum interiors that never wash clean.

The soap and detergent waste at 17.2 GPG becomes a significant household budget line item. Calcium and magnesium ions react with soap molecules to form insoluble scum instead of cleansing lather, requiring 3-4 times normal detergent quantities to achieve basic cleaning. A typical Clovis family of four spends an additional $400-500 annually on extra soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents just to compensate for the mineral interference.

Skin and hair effects become noticeable within weeks of moving to Clovis from a soft-water city. Calcium ions strip natural moisture from skin surfaces while magnesium compounds leave hair feeling coated and unmanageable. Residents with eczema or sensitive skin report significant symptom worsening above 12 GPG, with 17.2 GPG representing a threshold where even healthy skin becomes persistently dry and irritated.

The annual "hard water tax" for a Clovis household at 17.2 GPG combines multiple cost factors into a staggering financial burden. Energy waste ($400), extra detergents ($450), accelerated appliance replacement ($800 depreciation), and plumbing repairs ($300) create an estimated $1,950 yearly penalty for unprotected homes. Over a 10-year period, Clovis hard water costs the average household nearly $20,000 in direct and indirect expenses.

3. Clovis's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the devastating 17.2 GPG hardness baseline, Clovis residents also contend with iron, chlorine, and sediment — each of which compounds the mineral scaling problem in distinct and costly ways. Understanding how these contaminants interact with extreme hardness is essential for choosing the right treatment approach.

Iron Contamination in Clovis Water

Clovis water contains primarily ferrous iron — the dissolved, invisible form that remains clear until it oxidizes into the familiar red-orange staining that coats fixtures throughout the city. This iron enters the water supply through natural geological processes as groundwater percolates through iron-bearing sediments in the San Joaquin Valley aquifer system.

At 17.2 GPG hardness, iron becomes exponentially more problematic because it bonds chemically with calcium deposits during the scaling process. Instead of simple white scale buildup, Clovis homeowners see rust-orange concrete forming inside water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. This iron-calcium compound creates staining that penetrates porcelain surfaces and cannot be removed with standard cleaning products.

The EPA secondary maximum contaminant level (MCL) for iron is 0.3 mg/L, established primarily for aesthetic reasons — taste, odor, and staining rather than acute health risks. Clovis water iron levels typically measure 0.4-0.8 mg/L, placing the city above the recommended threshold for noticeable effects. Most residents first notice iron through orange staining on toilet bowls and shower walls that appears within days of moving into a new home.

The SoftPro Elite HE water softener alone cannot reliably handle iron levels above 0.3 mg/L without risk of resin fouling. Iron particles coat the ion exchange resin over time, reducing its effectiveness for calcium and magnesium removal. For Clovis homes, an iron pre-filter using greensand or birm media upstream of the SoftPro is the recommended configuration to protect the softener investment.

Chlorine Treatment Byproducts

Clovis adds chlorine to the municipal water supply as a disinfectant, but this treatment creates secondary compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) that give treated water its distinctive chemical taste and odor. These disinfection byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter naturally present in the groundwater source.

The interaction between chlorine and 17.2 GPG hardness accelerates the degradation of rubber seals, gaskets, and O-rings throughout your home's plumbing system. Chlorine alone causes slow deterioration of rubber components, but the abrasive action of calcium scale compounds this damage into rapid failure of appliance seals. Washing machine inlet hoses, dishwasher door gaskets, and toilet tank flappers all fail faster in Clovis than in soft-water cities.

Clovis residents typically notice stronger chlorine taste and odor during summer months when higher water temperatures and increased bacterial activity require stronger disinfection protocols. The "swimming pool" smell becomes particularly pronounced in hot water, where chlorine compounds concentrate and volatilize more readily.

The SoftPro Elite HE removes hardness minerals but does not address chlorine or its byproducts. For comprehensive treatment, Clovis homeowners should consider pairing the softener with an activated carbon whole-house filter positioned downstream of the softener to capture chlorine while protecting the carbon media from premature fouling by hardness minerals.

Sediment and Turbidity Issues

Clovis water contains suspended particles from aging distribution pipes, periodic main breaks, and seasonal ground disturbances that create the cloudy appearance residents notice during certain times of year. This sediment consists primarily of sand particles, pipe corrosion products, and organic matter that enters the system through infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Sediment becomes particularly destructive when combined with 17.2 GPG hardness because the particles provide nucleation sites where calcium and magnesium crystals form more readily. Instead of smooth scale deposits, sediment-laden hard water creates rough, sandpaper-like surfaces inside pipes and appliances that accelerate wear and reduce efficiency even faster than scale alone.

The seasonal pattern of sediment in Clovis follows the agricultural calendar — higher turbidity occurs during spring irrigation startup and fall harvest activities when ground disturbance affects the aquifer recharge zones. Residents report cloudy tap water and increased sediment settling in toilet tanks during March-April and September-October periods.

The SoftPro Elite HE includes a self-cleaning sediment pre-filter specifically designed to capture particles before they reach the ion exchange resin. This feature proves essential in Clovis, where sediment protection extends softener life significantly compared to units without integrated filtration. The pre-filter backwashes automatically during each regeneration cycle, preventing the accumulation that would otherwise clog the system.

4. Why Most Clovis Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

After reviewing hundreds of Clovis water softener installations over the past decade, I've identified four critical mistakes that turn what should be a problem-solving investment into years of frustration and wasted money. Understanding these pitfalls before you buy can save Clovis homeowners thousands of dollars and countless headaches.

The biggest mistake Clovis residents make is buying based on advertised price alone, without understanding that 17.2 GPG hardness destroys undersized equipment faster than moderate hardness levels. A 24,000-grain softener that might work adequately in a 7 GPG city like Sacramento will experience complete resin exhaustion within 2-3 days in Clovis, forcing constant regeneration cycles that waste salt, water, and electricity while never delivering consistently soft water.

I frequently encounter Clovis homeowners who purchased big-box store softeners rated for "4-6 people" without realizing these capacity claims assume moderate hardness levels around 10 GPG. At 17.2 GPG, the same family needs 70% more grain capacity to achieve the same service life between regenerations. The result is a softener that regenerates every other day, uses excessive salt, and still allows hard water breakthrough during peak usage periods.

The second major mistake involves confusing water softeners with water filters, leading Clovis residents to expect their softener to address iron staining, chlorine taste, and sediment problems simultaneously. Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions exclusively. They do not reliably remove iron above 0.3 mg/L, chlorine compounds, or suspended particles without risking premature resin fouling or system failure.

For Clovis water containing 17.2 GPG hardness plus iron, chlorine, and sediment, effective treatment requires a properly sequenced multi-stage approach. Iron must be oxidized and filtered before the softener, chlorine should be removed after softening to protect carbon media, and sediment needs capture at multiple points to prevent system damage. Expecting a single softener to handle all these contaminants leads to disappointment and expensive repairs.

The third mistake is ignoring proper grain capacity mathematics, which becomes absolutely critical at extreme hardness levels like Clovis experiences. The standard sizing formula multiplies household size by daily water usage by GPG hardness: for a 4-person Clovis family, that's 4 people × 75 gallons/day × 17.2 GPG = 5,160 grains consumed daily. Without adequate grain reserves, the system cannot maintain soft water output during high-demand periods.

The fourth and most expensive mistake involves overlooking salt efficiency ratings, which compound into massive operational costs at 17.2 GPG consumption rates. An inefficient softener regenerating every 5 days in Clovis can use 12-15 pounds of salt per cycle, totaling 900+ pounds annually. A high-efficiency model performing the same work uses 8-10 pounds per regeneration, saving 300+ pounds of salt yearly — representing $150+ in annual operating cost reduction.

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

After evaluating Clovis's water hardness of 17.2 GPG and the presence of iron, chlorine, and sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Clovis homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This recommendation isn't based on marketing claims or manufacturer relationships — it's the logical conclusion drawn from matching system capabilities to Clovis's specific water challenges.

The SoftPro Elite HE employs salt-based ion exchange technology, which represents the only proven method for removing hardness minerals at Clovis's extreme 17.2 GPG level. Salt-free "conditioners" marketed as softener alternatives do not actually remove calcium and magnesium ions — they claim to change crystal structure to reduce scaling, but independent testing shows minimal effectiveness above 12 GPG. At 17.2 GPG, only true cation exchange resin can physically replace hardness ions with sodium, delivering genuinely soft water that measures under 1 GPG.

The Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) system proves operationally essential for Clovis households consuming 5,000+ grains daily. Traditional time-clock regeneration cannot adapt to the variable consumption patterns that occur at extreme hardness levels — leading to either hard water breakthrough during peak usage or wasteful over-regeneration during low-usage periods. DIR monitors actual resin capacity in real-time, regenerating only when depletion occurs, which prevents the hard water surprises that plague Clovis residents with conventional systems.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification provides Clovis residents with verified performance assurance that becomes critical when managing multiple water quality challenges simultaneously. This certification requires independent testing to confirm the resin meets both effectiveness and materials safety standards. For Clovis homeowners already contending with iron, chlorine, and sediment, knowing the softening process itself introduces no additional contaminants provides essential peace of mind.

The SoftPro Elite HE offers multiple grain capacity options — 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000 grains — allowing precise sizing for Clovis households at 17.2 GPG consumption rates. A typical 4-person Clovis family consuming 300 gallons daily requires the 64,000-grain model to achieve optimal 5-7 day regeneration intervals. Larger households or those with high water usage should consider the 80,000-grain unit to maintain efficiency during peak demand periods like holiday visits or summer irrigation.

The 10-year warranty coverage becomes particularly valuable for Clovis installations where 17.2 GPG hardness subjects resin and internal components to accelerated wear compared to moderate hardness applications. This warranty period covers the crucial years when extreme hardness stress would typically cause premature failures in lesser systems. For Clovis homeowners investing $2,000-3,000 in water treatment, decade-long protection provides financial security during the system's highest-stress operational period.

The SoftPro Elite HE's compatibility with upstream iron and sediment pre-filtration makes it ideal for Clovis's multi-contaminant profile. The system is specifically engineered to operate downstream of iron oxidation media and sediment filters without voiding warranty coverage — a crucial consideration for Clovis homes requiring comprehensive treatment. Many softener manufacturers exclude coverage when their units operate with pre-treatment equipment, but SoftPro recognizes this configuration as necessary for challenging water supplies.

The integrated self-cleaning sediment pre-filter captures particles before they reach the resin tank, protecting against the fouling that would otherwise shorten system life in Clovis's sediment-prone water supply. This pre-filter backwashes automatically during each regeneration cycle, eliminating the maintenance burden while ensuring consistent protection. For Clovis residents dealing with seasonal sediment variations, this automated protection prevents the clogging issues that plague systems without integrated filtration.

For Clovis households dealing with 17.2 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of iron, chlorine, and sediment, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Clovis

Proper softener sizing for Clovis's extreme 17.2 GPG hardness requires precise calculation because undersizing leads to constant regeneration while oversizing wastes money and efficiency. Follow this step-by-step formula to determine the correct grain capacity for your household:

Step 1: Count all household members, including children and regular guests

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (standard residential usage)

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 17.2 GPG = daily grain demand

Step 4: Multiply daily grains × 7 = weekly grain consumption

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days and system efficiency

Step 6: Match result to SoftPro Elite HE grain tier (32K/48K/64K/80K)

Here's the calculation worked out for a typical 4-person Clovis household:

4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily

300 gallons × 17.2 GPG = 5,160 grains consumed daily

5,160 grains × 7 days = 36,120 grains weekly

36,120 grains + 20% buffer = 43,344 grains capacity needed

Recommendation: 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE for optimal 5-7 day regeneration cycles

For larger Clovis families (5-6 people) or households with high water usage from pools, irrigation, or frequent laundry, the 64,000-grain model provides better efficiency. The goal is regenerating every 5-7 days — more frequent cycles waste salt and water, while longer intervals risk resin fouling and hard water breakthrough during peak demand.

7. Installation in Clovis: What to Know

Clovis requires licensed plumber installation for water softeners connected to the main water line, and the city inspector must verify proper backflow prevention and drain connections before final approval. While some homeowners attempt DIY installation, the combination of 17.2 GPG hardness and local code requirements makes professional installation the safer choice for warranty and insurance protection.

Proper placement positions the SoftPro Elite HE after the main water shutoff valve but before the water heater, ensuring all household water receives treatment while maintaining access for service and bypass operations. In Clovis homes with iron issues, the softener must be installed downstream of any iron removal equipment to prevent resin fouling. The typical sequence is: main line → sediment filter → iron filter → water softener → distribution to house.

The drain line requirement for regeneration discharge is particularly important in Clovis due to the high mineral content in the brine waste. Each regeneration cycle discharges 40-60 gallons of concentrated calcium, magnesium, and sodium brine that must reach an approved drain without backflow potential. Many Clovis homes require drain line extensions or new connections to meet code requirements for this high-volume discharge.

Clovis municipal water pressure typically ranges from 55-75 PSI, which suits the SoftPro Elite HE's optimal operating range of 25-80 PSI. However, homes in elevated areas near the foothills may experience lower pressure requiring booster pumps, while properties near pumping stations occasionally see pressure spikes requiring regulators for equipment protection.

For salt selection at Clovis's 17.2 GPG consumption rate, use only evaporated salt pellets — the highest purity option available. Solar salt crystals and rock salt contain impurities that accumulate in the brine tank faster at extreme hardness levels, requiring more frequent cleaning and potentially damaging internal components. Evaporated pellets cost 20-30% more initially but prevent the maintenance problems and efficiency loss associated with lower-grade salts.

At 17.2 GPG consumption rates, check salt levels monthly rather than the quarterly schedule sufficient for moderate hardness areas. A 64,000-grain unit regenerating weekly consumes approximately 60-80 pounds of salt monthly, requiring proactive monitoring to prevent salt bridge formation and ensure consistent regeneration performance.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Clovis Homeowners

Maintaining a water softener in Clovis's extreme 17.2 GPG environment requires more frequent attention than moderate hardness applications, but following this schedule prevents costly repairs and ensures consistent performance. The high mineral consumption rates accelerate wear and create maintenance needs that soft-water city residents never encounter.

Monthly Tasks:

Check salt level and consumption rate — at 17.2 GPG, salt usage is high and predictable, making monthly monitoring essential to prevent runout. Inspect for salt bridges, which form when humidity causes salt to crust above the water line, blocking proper brine formation. Break any bridges with a broom handle and ensure salt moves freely in the tank.

Verify the bypass valve remains in service position, as vibration from frequent regeneration cycles can gradually shift valve handles. Test post-softener water hardness with a test strip to confirm output remains under 1 GPG. Any reading above 2 GPG indicates potential resin exhaustion, salt bridge, or mechanical problem requiring immediate attention.

Every 3 Months:

Clean the brine tank interior to remove sediment and salt residue that accumulates faster in high-hardness applications. At 17.2 GPG consumption rates, mineral-rich regeneration cycles leave more deposits than moderate hardness systems. Scrub tank walls with warm water and mild detergent, then refill with fresh salt.

Inspect and clean the iron pre-filter if installed, as iron fouling accelerates when combined with extreme hardness. Replace filter media according to manufacturer guidelines — typically every 6-12 months depending on iron concentration and household water usage.

Annual Tasks:

Perform comprehensive brine tank cleaning and resin bed performance evaluation. If post-softener hardness creeps above 1 GPG despite proper salt levels, the resin may need professional cleaning or replacement. At 17.2 GPG stress levels, resin degrades faster than manufacturer estimates based on moderate hardness testing.

Audit regeneration cycle timing and salt dose settings to ensure continued optimization for Clovis conditions. Water usage patterns change over time, and annual adjustment maintains peak efficiency while preventing over- or under-regeneration.

Every 5 Years:

Evaluate resin replacement needs based on performance testing rather than arbitrary timelines. Clovis's 17.2 GPG hardness degrades resin faster than soft-water applications, potentially requiring replacement at 7-10 years instead of the 10-15 year lifespan possible in moderate hardness cities.

Clovis residents should establish baseline hardness readings before installation and retest 30 days after startup to confirm proper system performance. Keep records of salt consumption, regeneration frequency, and any water quality changes to identify maintenance needs before they become expensive problems.

9. Frequently Asked Questions for Clovis Residents

9. Is Clovis's water at 17.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

No, the 17.2 GPG hardness in Clovis water does not pose direct health risks — calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that some nutritionists actually recommend supplementing. The EPA does not regulate water hardness as a health concern, classifying it instead as an aesthetic and operational issue. However, the extreme mineral concentration creates significant property damage and increased household costs that justify treatment for financial rather than health reasons.

10. Will a water softener remove iron from Clovis water?

The SoftPro Elite HE can handle trace amounts of clear iron (under 0.3 mg/L), but Clovis water typically contains 0.4-0.8 mg/L iron, which exceeds safe levels for standard softener resin. Iron above 0.3 mg/L fouls the resin over time, reducing hardness removal effectiveness and requiring expensive resin replacement. For Clovis homes, install an iron removal pre-filter upstream of the softener to protect your investment and ensure long-term performance.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Clovis at 17.2 GPG?

A properly sized SoftPro Elite HE serving a 4-person Clovis household will consume approximately 60-80 pounds of salt monthly at 17.2 GPG hardness levels. This equals $15-20 in monthly salt costs using high-quality evaporated pellets. While this seems expensive compared to soft-water cities, it represents a fraction of the $160+ monthly "hard water tax" from energy waste, extra detergents, and appliance damage that occurs without treatment.

12. Does Clovis require a permit to install a water softener?

Yes, Clovis requires both a plumbing permit and inspection for water softener installation connected to the municipal water supply. The city mandates licensed plumber installation to ensure proper backflow prevention and drain connections. Permit fees typically run $75-125, and the inspection verifies compliance with local codes regarding drain discharge and system bypass capabilities. DIY installation voids most manufacturer warranties and may create insurance coverage issues.

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

After years of showering in Clovis's 17.2 GPG hard water, your skin becomes accustomed to the "grip" created by calcium soap residue that never fully rinses away. Soft water allows soap to lather properly and rinse completely clean, creating the slippery sensation that's actually your natural skin oils without mineral interference. Most Clovis residents adjust to this "clean" feeling within 2-3 weeks and report significantly improved skin and hair condition.

14. How quickly will I see results after installing a softener in Clovis?

At 17.2 GPG hardness, Clovis homeowners typically notice immediate improvements in soap lathering and reduced spotting on dishes within 24 hours of installation. White scale formation stops immediately, though existing buildup requires months to dissolve gradually. Appliance efficiency improvements become measurable within 30-60 days as heating elements shed accumulated scale. Skin and hair improvements usually appear within 1-2 weeks as mineral residue washes away.

15. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Clovis's water without a separate filter?

The SoftPro Elite HE will effectively remove Clovis's 17.2 GPG hardness without additional equipment, but optimal performance requires pre-filtration for iron and post-filtration for chlorine. The integrated sediment pre-filter handles particulate matter adequately. However, iron levels above 0.3 mg/L risk resin fouling, and chlorine compounds require activated carbon removal. For comprehensive treatment of Clovis water, budget for a multi-stage approach rather than expecting any single system to address all contaminants perfectly.

16. What to Do Next

Before purchasing any water softener for your Clovis home, test your specific water to confirm hardness levels and identify all contaminants present. While city-wide averages indicate 17.2 GPG hardness, individual properties may vary based on plumbing age, location within the distribution system, and seasonal factors.

Contact three licensed Clovis plumbers for installation quotes and verify each holds current city permits and liability insurance. Request detailed proposals that include proper sizing calculations, drain line installation, and any required pre-filtration equipment based on your specific water test results. Quality installation costs $800-1,200 but prevents the warranty issues and performance problems associated with improper setup.

17. Final Verdict for Clovis

Clovis's extreme 17.2 GPG water hardness demands professional-grade treatment that can handle daily mineral loads exceeding 5,000 grains per household. The presence of iron, chlorine, and sediment compounds these challenges in ways that eliminate most residential water softeners from serious consideration. Generic big-box systems simply cannot survive the mineral assault that Clovis water delivers daily.

The SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener emerges as the logical choice because its demand-initiated regeneration prevents hard water breakthrough during peak usage, its high-capacity options match Clovis consumption rates, and its pre-filter integration protects against sediment fouling. Most importantly, its 10-year warranty provides financial protection during the years when 17.2 GPG hardness would destroy lesser equipment.

For Clovis homeowners facing $1,950 in annual hard water costs, investing $2,500-3,500 in proper treatment pays for itself within two years while protecting tens of thousands in appliance and plumbing investments. Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for a Clovis household — the cost of delay grows more expensive each month your home operates unprotected.

Like the Sierra Nevada mountains that provide Clovis with its stunning eastern views, the mineral-rich water flowing from those peaks requires respect, understanding, and the right equipment to manage safely.