Best Water Softener for Phoenix, AZ — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix homeowners replace water heaters 40% more often than the national average. The culprit isn't the desert heat beating down on exterior units — it's what's flowing through the pipes inside. Phoenix's municipal water supply delivers a punishing 12.3 grains per gallon (GPG) of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals, officially classified as "very hard" water that acts like liquid sandpaper on every appliance it touches.

To understand what 12.3 GPG means, think of your home's plumbing as a bank account. Every gallon of Phoenix water makes a 12.3-grain "withdrawal" of efficiency from your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine. Unlike compound interest that builds wealth over time, this mineral accumulation compounds damage — slowly at first, then exponentially as scale deposits thicken into armor-like crusts inside heating elements and pipe walls.

Phoenix draws its water primarily from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project canal and the Salt River through a series of reservoirs. These sources pick up calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate as they flow through limestone formations and ancient mineral beds across Arizona's geological landscape. By the time this water reaches Phoenix taps, it carries enough dissolved minerals to leave visible white residue on a coffee cup after a single use.

At 12.3 GPG, Phoenix water hardness places every home in the "very hard" category — a classification that triggers measurable appliance damage within months, not years. The Arizona Department of Water Resources acknowledges that mineral content this high requires active management to prevent infrastructure damage. For Phoenix homeowners, this isn't about water preference or luxury — it's about protecting a home investment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from an invisible but relentless mineral assault.

2. What 12.3 GPG Does to Your Home

At 12.3 grains per gallon, Phoenix water deposits approximately 4.5 pounds of calcium and magnesium scale inside a typical home every year. This isn't a gradual, barely-noticeable process — it's rapid mineral accumulation that Phoenix residents can literally see forming on faucet aerators and showerheads within weeks of cleaning.

Your water heater bears the worst impact of Phoenix's 12.3 GPG assault. When hard water is heated above 140°F, calcium carbonate crystallizes and bonds to heating elements in thick, concrete-like layers. A 40-gallon electric water heater operating on untreated Phoenix water loses 15-20% of its heating efficiency within the first year, and 35-40% efficiency within 24 months. Gas water heaters suffer similarly — scale deposits insulate the heat exchanger from the flame, forcing the unit to burn 30-50% more natural gas to achieve the same temperature. Phoenix homeowners routinely see their water heating bills increase $400-600 annually due to scale buildup alone.

Inside Phoenix homes built before 1990, galvanized steel pipes face accelerated narrowing from mineral deposits. At 12.3 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions bond to pipe walls when water velocity slows or temperature changes occur. Over 8-12 years, untreated Phoenix water can reduce pipe diameter by 40-60%, causing pressure drops that make upstairs showers trickle and dishwashers fail to fill completely. Copper pipes fare better but still develop internal scale ridges that harbor bacteria and create turbulent water flow.

Appliance manufacturers specifically warn about warranty coverage in very hard water cities like Phoenix. Tankless water heater companies including Rinnai and Navien require annual descaling maintenance when water hardness exceeds 7 GPG — at 12.3 GPG, Phoenix installations need professional cleaning every 6-8 months to prevent heat exchanger failure. Dishwashers operating on 12.3 GPG water develop etched glass interiors, clogged spray arms, and failed heating elements an average of 3-4 years earlier than units in soft water cities.

The soap and detergent waste from Phoenix's hard water creates a measurable monthly expense. Calcium and magnesium ions chemically react with soap molecules, forming insoluble curds instead of cleaning lather. Phoenix families typically use 3-4 times more laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo compared to soft water cities. For a four-person household, this "hard water tax" averages $35-45 monthly in extra cleaning products — $420-540 annually just to overcome mineral interference.

Phoenix residents consistently report skin and hair problems that correlate directly with the city's 12.3 GPG hardness level. Calcium ions strip natural moisture from skin and create a film that soap cannot easily rinse away. Hair exposed to very hard water becomes brittle, loses shine, and requires deep conditioning treatments that weren't necessary before moving to Phoenix. Dermatologists at Banner Health and Mayo Clinic Arizona report increased eczema and contact dermatitis cases among new Phoenix residents, particularly during summer months when hard water combines with low humidity.

The cumulative "hard water tax" for Phoenix homeowners averages $1,800-2,400 annually. This figure includes increased energy costs from scale-damaged water heaters, premature appliance replacements, extra soap and detergent consumption, and professional cleaning services to remove mineral deposits from glass shower doors and fixtures. Over a 10-year period, Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness can cost homeowners $18,000-24,000 in preventable expenses.

3. Phoenix's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the punishing 12.3 GPG hardness baseline, Phoenix residents also contend with fluoride, chlorine, and sediment — each of which interacts with water hardness in its own way. These additional contaminants don't just add to the water quality challenge; they compound it by accelerating scale formation, increasing chemical reactions, and adding taste and odor issues that hardness alone doesn't explain.

Fluoride in Phoenix Water

Phoenix adds fluoride to its municipal water supply at approximately 0.7 mg/L, following CDC recommendations for dental health. This fluoride enters the system at water treatment plants as either hydrofluorosilicic acid or sodium fluoride. While fluoride doesn't directly interact with calcium and magnesium minerals, it becomes more concentrated in areas where hard water evaporates — creating stronger-tasting residues around faucets and in ice makers.

Phoenix residents occasionally notice a sharp, metallic aftertaste that becomes more pronounced when hard water minerals concentrate fluoride compounds during evaporation. The EPA maximum contaminant level for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L for health effects and 2.0 mg/L for aesthetic effects. Phoenix's levels remain well below these thresholds, but residents with sensitivities often request fluoride removal at drinking water taps.

Important limitation: The SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove fluoride. Softeners use ion exchange resin designed specifically for calcium and magnesium removal. Phoenix families seeking fluoride reduction need a reverse osmosis system at their drinking water tap in addition to whole-house softening.

Chlorine in Phoenix Water

Phoenix uses chlorine as its primary disinfectant, maintaining residual levels of 2-4 mg/L throughout the distribution system. Chlorine enters the water at treatment facilities to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens during the journey from Colorado River and Salt River sources. In Phoenix's hot climate, chlorine levels often increase during summer months to ensure disinfection remains effective as water temperatures rise.

The interaction between chlorine and Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness creates compounded problems for home plumbing systems. Chlorine accelerates the corrosion of metal fixtures and degrades rubber gaskets in appliances — damage that happens faster when scale deposits create rough surfaces where chlorine can concentrate. Phoenix residents report stronger chlorine taste and odor during summer months, particularly in areas served by the newer treatment plants processing Colorado River water.

Chlorine also reacts with organic compounds in Phoenix's water to form disinfection byproducts including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). These compounds create the "swimming pool" smell that some Phoenix residents notice, especially in hot water. While levels remain within EPA guidelines, many homeowners prefer to remove chlorine for taste and odor improvement.

The SoftPro Elite HE softener does not remove chlorine. Phoenix residents wanting chlorine reduction should consider a whole-house activated carbon filter installed upstream of the softener, or a point-of-use carbon filter at kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Sediment in Phoenix Water

Phoenix water contains varying levels of suspended particles from aging distribution pipes, main breaks, and dust infiltration common in desert environments. Sediment levels fluctuate seasonally — higher during monsoon season when flooding can disturb distribution systems, and during periods of infrastructure maintenance when older pipes are disturbed.

At Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness level, sediment particles provide nucleation sites where calcium and magnesium can more rapidly crystallize into scale deposits. This means sediment doesn't just clog filters and scratch fixtures — it actually accelerates the hard water damage process by giving minerals rough surfaces to attach to. Phoenix residents often notice that their faucet aerators clog faster during dusty periods when both sediment and minerals are present.

Sediment also damages water softener resin over time, particularly in very hard water cities like Phoenix where resin beads are already working at maximum capacity. Sand, rust particles, and organic debris can scratch resin surfaces and reduce ion exchange efficiency. For Phoenix installations, sediment pre-filtration becomes essential for protecting the softener investment.

The SoftPro Elite HE includes a self-cleaning sediment pre-filter designed to handle moderate sediment loads. This feature is particularly valuable for Phoenix installations where both sediment and 12.3 GPG hardness challenge water treatment equipment. The pre-filter backwashes automatically during regeneration cycles, removing accumulated particles before they reach the resin bed.

4. Why Most Phoenix Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Phoenix's extreme 12.3 GPG hardness exposes softener selection mistakes faster and more expensively than moderate hardness cities. After reviewing hundreds of warranty claims and talking with local plumbers, four mistakes consistently destroy softener performance and waste thousands of dollars for Phoenix families.

Mistake #1: Buying on price alone without understanding Phoenix's demand. An undersized 24,000-grain unit that works adequately in a 5 GPG city will collapse under Phoenix's 12.3 GPG load within days. The math is unforgiving: a four-person Phoenix household consumes 300 gallons daily × 12.3 GPG = 3,690 grains of hardness minerals daily. That 24,000-grain softener reaches exhaustion in just 6.5 days — but if water usage spikes for laundry or guests, breakthrough hardness starts damaging appliances again after day 4 or 5.

Mistake #2: Confusing water softeners with comprehensive water filters. Softeners excel at one specific job: removing calcium and magnesium through ion exchange. They do NOT remove Phoenix's fluoride, reduce chlorine taste and odor, or eliminate sediment beyond basic pre-filtration. Phoenix residents dealing with both 12.3 GPG hardness AND taste/odor concerns need a two-stage approach — softening for appliance protection, plus dedicated filtration for drinking water quality.

Mistake #3: Ignoring grain capacity math and regeneration frequency. Here's the formula Phoenix homeowners need: [Household members] × 75 gallons/day × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand. For a family of four: 4 × 75 × 12.3 = 3,690 grains daily. Multiply by 7 days = 25,830 weekly grain demand. This means a 32,000-grain softener regenerates every 6-7 days in Phoenix — optimal for efficiency. Undersized units regenerate every 3-4 days, wasting salt and water. Oversized units sit too long between cycles, allowing bacterial growth in the brine tank.

Mistake #4: Overlooking salt efficiency in Phoenix's high-consumption environment. At 12.3 GPG, softeners regenerate 50-75% more often than in moderate hardness cities. An inefficient unit using 8-10 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle versus a high-efficiency model using 4-6 pounds creates massive cost differences. Over 10 years of Phoenix operation, this efficiency gap compounds into $800-1,200 in unnecessary salt purchases and disposal fees.

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

After evaluating Phoenix's water hardness of 12.3 GPG and the presence of fluoride, chlorine, and sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Phoenix homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This isn't marketing preference — it's engineering reality. Phoenix's extreme hardness eliminates marginal performers and exposes design weaknesses that never surface in soft water cities.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses true salt-based ion exchange — the only technology that physically removes calcium and magnesium at Phoenix's hardness level. Salt-free "conditioners" and magnetic systems cannot handle 12.3 GPG loads. They claim to change mineral crystal structure to reduce scaling, but independent testing shows minimal effectiveness above 10 GPG. At Phoenix's mineral concentration, only cation exchange resin can physically capture calcium and magnesium ions and replace them with sodium — delivering genuinely soft water that measures under 1 GPG on test strips.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) becomes operationally essential in Phoenix, not just a convenience feature. At 12.3 GPG, resin exhaustion happens fast and predictably. DIR monitors actual water usage and mineral removal, triggering regeneration only when the resin bed is truly depleted. This prevents hard water breakthrough that damages appliances, while avoiding premature regeneration that wastes salt and water. For Phoenix households where regeneration happens every 5-7 days, DIR precision saves 20-30% on operating costs compared to timer-based systems.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification verifies that the SoftPro's resin meets performance and materials safety standards under high-demand conditions. This certification requires testing at hardness levels up to 25 GPG — well above Phoenix's 12.3 GPG. For Phoenix residents already managing fluoride, chlorine, and sediment, knowing the softening process itself doesn't introduce contaminants or leach harmful materials is critical for long-term confidence.

The SoftPro Elite HE offers grain capacity options from 32,000 to 80,000 grains, allowing precise sizing for Phoenix households. Using the Phoenix formula: 4-person household × 75 gallons × 12.3 GPG = 3,690 daily grain demand × 7 days = 25,830 weekly demand. Adding a 20% buffer for high-usage days = 31,000 grains needed. The 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE provides optimal capacity for this load, regenerating every 6-7 days for maximum efficiency. Smaller Phoenix households can use the 32,000-grain model, while larger families or high-usage homes benefit from the 64,000-grain option.

The 10-year warranty provides Phoenix homeowners protection during the years of highest hardness stress. Very hard water cities see more warranty claims than moderate hardness areas — not due to manufacturing defects, but because mineral loading tests every component more severely. SoftPro backs their Phoenix installations with comprehensive coverage including resin replacement, control valve repair, and parts replacement during the decade when 12.3 GPG water puts maximum stress on the system.

The self-cleaning sediment pre-filter addresses Phoenix's dual challenge of hardness plus particulate contamination. Before 12.3 GPG water reaches the resin tank, suspended particles are captured and periodically backwashed during regeneration cycles. This protects resin life in a city where both sediment infiltration and extreme hardness challenge water treatment equipment simultaneously.

For Phoenix households dealing with 12.3 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of fluoride, 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 Phoenix

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness makes proper sizing calculations critical — undersized units fail within months, while oversized systems waste salt and develop brine tank problems. Follow this step-by-step formula specifically calibrated for Phoenix water conditions.

Step 1: Count household members accurately. Include any regular occupants, not just lease holders. College students home for summers, elderly parents, and frequent long-term guests all contribute to daily water usage calculations.

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day. This figure accounts for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing. Phoenix's hot climate increases shower frequency and duration, making 75 gallons conservative for desert living.

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand. This is where Phoenix's extreme hardness creates much higher mineral loading than moderate hardness cities. A 300-gallon household day in Phoenix removes 3,690 grains of calcium and magnesium — compared to just 1,500 grains in a 5 GPG city.

Step 4: Multiply daily grain demand × 7 = weekly grain demand. For optimal efficiency, softeners should regenerate every 5-7 days. Longer intervals risk bacterial growth in brine tanks; shorter intervals waste salt and water.

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days. Laundry catch-up days, house guests, and pool filling can spike usage 50-100% above normal. The buffer prevents hard water breakthrough during these peak demand periods.

Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity tiers. Here's the arithmetic for a 4-person Phoenix household: 4 × 75 × 12.3 = 3,690 daily grains × 7 days = 25,830 weekly + 20% buffer = 31,000 total grain capacity needed. The SoftPro Elite HE 48,000-grain model provides optimal sizing for this load, regenerating every 6-7 days at peak efficiency.

7. Installation in Phoenix: What to Know

Phoenix requires licensed plumbers for water softener installations that connect to the main water supply line. Arizona Registrar of Contractors maintains strict oversight of plumbing modifications, and homeowners insurance policies may deny claims for unlicensed plumbing work. Professional installation typically costs $300-500 in Phoenix but ensures proper placement, drainage, and compliance with local codes.

Optimal placement in Phoenix homes: after the main shutoff valve and pressure regulator, before the water heater and any branched fixtures. This protects all appliances while maintaining one untreated line to outdoor irrigation systems. Phoenix's caliche soil makes trenching difficult, so most installations connect in garage utility areas or basement mechanical rooms where main lines are accessible.

Regeneration discharge requires a proper drain line connection — critical in Phoenix where municipal wastewater monitoring is stringent. The SoftPro Elite HE discharges 25-40 gallons of brine during each regeneration cycle. This must drain to approved sewage systems, never to storm drains, septic systems, or landscape areas. Phoenix code requires air gaps to prevent backflow contamination.

Phoenix municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-65 PSI — well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-80 PSI. Higher pressure areas near booster stations may need pressure regulators to prevent resin damage. Lower pressure neighborhoods, particularly in older central Phoenix, occasionally require booster pumps for optimal regeneration flow rates.

At Phoenix's 12.3 GPG consumption rate, use only evaporated salt pellets — the highest purity grade available. Solar crystals and rock salt contain impurities that accumulate faster in high-usage installations. Morton Clean and Protect or Diamond Crystal Bright and Soft pellets dissolve cleanly and minimize brine tank residue buildup. Phoenix's dry climate helps prevent salt bridging, but monthly inspections remain essential.

Salt level monitoring in Phoenix installations: check monthly and maintain 4-6 inches above the water line in the brine tank. A 48,000-grain SoftPro regenerating every 6 days consumes approximately 40-50 pounds of salt monthly. Phoenix residents should keep 2-3 bags in reserve, as summer demand often spikes during peak usage periods.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Phoenix Homeowners

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness accelerates component wear and mineral accumulation, requiring more frequent maintenance than moderate hardness cities. This schedule is calibrated specifically for very hard water operation and Phoenix's dust and heat challenges.

Monthly Phoenix Maintenance:

• Check salt level consumption — high at 12.3 GPG loading. Phoenix installations typically consume 40-60 pounds monthly depending on household size. Levels below 4 inches above the water line risk hard water breakthrough.

• Inspect for salt bridges — mineral crusts that form above the water line and block regeneration. Phoenix's low humidity reduces this risk, but bridges still form when salt quality is poor or brine concentration is incorrect.

• Confirm bypass valve remains in service position. Phoenix dust infiltration can cause valve handles to stick or accidentally move during other maintenance activities.

Every 3 Months:

• Clean brine tank interior and remove any undissolved residue. Very hard water installations accumulate sediment faster than moderate hardness cities.

• Test post-softener water hardness with test strips — should read under 1 GPG consistently. If hardness creeps above 1 GPG, resin may need cleaning or the regeneration schedule needs adjustment.

• Inspect and clean the pre-filter housing. Phoenix's sediment levels combined with 12.3 GPG hardness can clog filters faster than expected, reducing system protection.

Annual Deep Maintenance:

• Complete brine tank cleaning including walls, lid, and float assembly. Remove all salt, scrub with mild bleach solution, and inspect for cracks or mineral buildup.

• Resin bed performance evaluation — if post-softener hardness exceeds 1 GPG despite proper salt levels, resin cleaning or replacement may be needed. Phoenix's mineral loading can exhaust resin capacity faster than soft water cities.

• Regeneration cycle audit — confirm timing, salt dose, and backwash duration remain optimal for current usage patterns. Phoenix households often see usage changes with seasonal residents and pool maintenance schedules.

Every 5 Years:

• Professional resin replacement evaluation. At 12.3 GPG loading, assess resin output quality and consider replacement if efficiency drops below 90%. Very hard water cities degrade resin beads faster than manufacturer averages suggest.

Phoenix residents should establish baseline hardness readings before installation and retest every 30 days initially to confirm optimal performance.

9. Is Phoenix's water at 12.3 GPG dangerous to drink?

Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness is not dangerous to drink and actually provides beneficial calcium and magnesium minerals. The EPA does not regulate water hardness as a health contaminant. Many Phoenix residents actually prefer the taste of moderately mineralized water compared to completely soft or distilled water, which can taste flat or metallic.

10. Will a water softener remove fluoride from Phoenix water?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE water softener does not remove fluoride from Phoenix's municipal supply. Softeners use ion exchange resin designed specifically for calcium and magnesium removal. Phoenix adds approximately 0.7 mg/L fluoride for dental health benefits. Families wanting fluoride reduction need a reverse osmosis system at drinking water taps in addition to whole-house softening.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Phoenix at 12.3 GPG?

A properly sized SoftPro Elite HE serving a 4-person Phoenix household typically consumes 45-55 pounds of salt monthly. This calculation assumes 300 gallons daily usage, regeneration every 6-7 days, and high-efficiency salt dosing. Summer months with increased shower usage and pool top-offs can increase consumption to 60-65 pounds monthly.

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

Phoenix does not require a separate permit for water softener installation, but the work must be performed by a licensed plumber when connecting to main supply lines. Homeowners insurance policies may deny coverage for water damage caused by unlicensed plumbing modifications. Professional installation costs $300-500 but ensures code compliance and warranty protection.

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

Soft water feels slippery because it allows soap to work properly — the sensation Phoenix residents interpret as "slippery" is actually clean skin without mineral film. At 12.3 GPG, Phoenix hard water leaves calcium and magnesium deposits on skin that create false "squeaky clean" feelings. Truly clean, soft water allows natural skin oils to emerge, creating the smooth sensation that takes 2-3 weeks to feel normal.

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

Phoenix homeowners notice immediate improvements in soap lather and reduced spotting within 24-48 hours of SoftPro installation. Appliance efficiency improvements become measurable within 30-60 days as existing scale begins dissolving. Complete scale removal from water heater elements can take 6-12 months depending on pre-installation accumulation. Skin and hair improvements typically appear within 1-2 weeks of consistent soft water use.

15. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Phoenix's water without additional filters?

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively handles Phoenix's 12.3 GPG hardness and moderate sediment levels without additional filtration. However, residents wanting chlorine taste/odor reduction or fluoride removal need companion systems. The built-in sediment pre-filter manages Phoenix's particulate levels adequately. For comprehensive water treatment, consider adding activated carbon filtration for chlorine or reverse osmosis at drinking water taps.

16. What to Do Next

Test your Phoenix water hardness with an independent test kit to confirm the 12.3 GPG baseline. Municipal averages vary by neighborhood and season. Order test strips from a local pool supply store or request a professional analysis from a certified water testing laboratory.

Calculate your household's specific grain capacity needs using the Phoenix formula. Don't guess or rely on generic recommendations — Phoenix's extreme hardness makes precise sizing critical for system longevity and efficiency.

Identify your home's main water line location and drainage options before shopping. Phoenix installations require specific placement after pressure regulators and proper drainage for regeneration discharge. Professional site assessment prevents installation surprises.

17. Final Verdict for Phoenix

Phoenix's punishing 12.3 GPG hardness demands professional-grade water treatment, not consumer convenience products. The mineral loading in Phoenix water destroys undersized systems, overwhelms salt-free alternatives, and exposes every design weakness in marginal equipment. This is not a city where homeowners can compromise on softener quality and expect long-term success.

Fluoride, chlorine, and sediment compound the hardness challenge in ways that require honest assessment of what softeners can and cannot accomplish. The SoftPro Elite HE excels at its designed purpose — removing calcium and magnesium through proven ion exchange technology. For taste, odor, and fluoride concerns, Phoenix families need companion filtration systems that work alongside, not instead of, comprehensive softening.

The SoftPro Elite HE earns its recommendation for Phoenix through demand-initiated regeneration that prevents hard water breakthrough, grain capacity options that match Phoenix's high mineral loading, and NSF certification that ensures performance under very hard water stress. This isn't about luxury or convenience — it's about protecting appliances, plumbing, and home value from measurable mineral damage that starts immediately in untreated Phoenix water.

Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for Phoenix households ready to end their expensive hard water battles. Every month of delay means more scale accumulation, more appliance efficiency loss, and more money wasted on soap and detergent that can't fight Phoenix's mineral interference.

For Phoenix homeowners tired of replacing water heaters every 6 years instead of every 12, the SoftPro Elite HE offers the engineering precision needed to tame the Valley of the Sun's liquid mineral assault.