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

Every morning, 1.7 million Phoenix residents wake up to water that contains enough dissolved limestone to coat their pipes from the inside out. At 12.8 grains per gallon (GPG), Phoenix delivers some of the hardest municipal water in the United States — a direct consequence of the Colorado River's 1,450-mile journey through mineral-rich canyon walls before reaching the Salt River Project's treatment facilities.

To understand what 12.8 GPG means for your home, imagine your plumbing system as a network of arteries. Just as cholesterol builds up in blood vessels over time, calcium and magnesium minerals accumulate on pipe walls, water heater elements, and appliance components with every gallon that flows through your Phoenix home. The higher the GPG number, the faster this mineral buildup occurs.

Phoenix water at 12.8 GPG is classified as "extremely hard" — the most severe category on the water hardness scale. This isn't just a technical classification; it's a predictor of costly home maintenance ahead. Valley homeowners replacing their water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines years before their expected lifespan shouldn't blame Arizona heat alone. The real culprit is flowing through their faucets 24 hours a day.

The financial stakes are immediate and measurable. A Phoenix household consuming 300 gallons daily at 12.8 GPG processes 3,840 grains of dissolved minerals every single day — 1.4 million grains per year. This mineral load doesn't disappear; it deposits throughout your home's water-using systems, creating a compounding maintenance burden that costs Valley residents thousands annually in premature appliance replacement, increased energy bills, and excessive soap consumption.

2. What 12.8 GPG Does to Your Home

Phoenix's 12.8 GPG water hardness transforms every drop into a mineral delivery system targeting your most expensive appliances. When water containing this concentration of calcium and magnesium is heated — whether in your water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine — the minerals precipitate out of solution and form crystalline deposits called scale.

At 12.8 GPG, scale formation isn't gradual; it's aggressive. Your water heater's heating elements accumulate a chalky white coating that acts as insulation, forcing the system to work harder to transfer heat to the water. Independent testing shows that Phoenix-area water heaters lose 35-45% of their efficiency within the first 18 months of operation without a softener. For a standard 40-gallon electric unit, this efficiency loss translates to an extra $200-300 annually in electricity costs alone.

The pipe damage timeline in Phoenix homes is measurably shorter than in soft-water cities. Galvanized steel pipes — common in Valley homes built before 1980 — show significant diameter reduction within 8-12 years at 12.8 GPG. The calcium carbonate forms concentric rings inside the pipe walls, gradually choking off water flow and creating pressure drops that stress fixtures and appliances downstream.

Appliance manufacturers understand the Phoenix water challenge. Most dishwasher and washing machine warranties include specific language about water hardness, and several major brands void coverage entirely for hardness levels above 10 GPG without a softener system. At 12.8 GPG, Phoenix homeowners can expect their dishwashers to last 6-8 years instead of the typical 10-12, and their washing machines to require replacement after 7-9 years rather than the standard 12-15.

The soap and detergent waste at 12.8 GPG is chemically unavoidable. Calcium and magnesium ions react with soap molecules to form insoluble precipitates — the gray scum that clings to shower walls and leaves clothes feeling stiff and dingy. Phoenix households typically use 3-4 times more laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo than families in soft-water regions, adding $400-600 annually to household expenses.

Beyond the financial impact, 12.8 GPG water leaves unmistakable physical evidence throughout Phoenix homes. Shower doors develop white film that requires weekly scrubbing. Coffee makers and steam irons fail within months. Dishware emerges from the dishwasher spotted and cloudy, with mineral etching that becomes permanent over time. The cumulative "hard water tax" for a typical Phoenix household — combining energy waste, appliance depreciation, and increased consumption — approaches $2,000 annually.

3. Phoenix's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the challenging 12.8 GPG baseline, Phoenix water carries three additional contaminants that interact with hardness minerals in problematic ways. Each compound Phoenix's water treatment challenges and requires specific consideration when selecting a home treatment system.

Chlorine

Phoenix adds chlorine to municipal water as a disinfectant during treatment and maintains residual levels throughout the distribution system to prevent bacterial growth in the extensive pipeline network serving 1.7 million residents. The city typically maintains 0.5-2.0 mg/L of free chlorine — well within EPA guidelines but noticeable to many residents as a sharp taste and swimming pool odor, especially during summer months when treatment levels increase.

At 12.8 GPG hardness, chlorine's effects compound significantly. The chemical reacts with calcium deposits to form calcium hypochlorite compounds that are more corrosive to rubber gaskets, seals, and O-rings throughout your plumbing system. Phoenix homeowners notice toilet flapper valves, faucet cartridges, and washing machine hoses deteriorating faster than expected — a combined result of mineral buildup and chlorine exposure.

The EPA's maximum residual disinfectant level for chlorine is 4.0 mg/L, and Phoenix typically operates well below this threshold. However, many residents find even moderate chlorine levels create an unpleasant taste and odor profile that makes drinking water less appealing. A standard water softener alone does not remove chlorine — addressing this contaminant requires activated carbon filtration paired with the softening system.

Fluoride

Phoenix intentionally adds fluoride to municipal water at approximately 0.7 mg/L as a public health measure for dental protection. The compound is introduced at treatment facilities and maintained throughout the distribution system, meaning every tap in the city delivers fluoridated water.

Fluoride does not interact directly with hardness minerals, but its presence affects treatment system selection for Phoenix households. Unlike chlorine, fluoride is not removed by standard water softening — the ion exchange process that eliminates calcium and magnesium has no effect on fluoride compounds. Residents concerned about fluoride consumption require reverse osmosis filtration at their drinking water tap, independent of their whole-house softening system.

The EPA's maximum contaminant level for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L for health protection and 2.0 mg/L for aesthetic concerns (dental fluorosis prevention). Phoenix operates well within these guidelines, but households preferring fluoride-free drinking water should plan for point-of-use treatment in addition to their softener.

Nitrates

Nitrate contamination in Phoenix water originates from agricultural runoff in the Salt and Verde River watersheds, along with groundwater infiltration from fertilizer use in the rapidly developing Valley suburbs. Levels fluctuate seasonally but occasionally approach detectable thresholds during heavy irrigation periods in surrounding agricultural areas.

This is a critical accuracy point: water softeners do NOT remove nitrates. The ion exchange resin in softening systems is designed specifically for calcium and magnesium removal and has no capacity for nitrate compounds. Phoenix residents in areas with elevated nitrate detection — particularly newer developments near former agricultural land — require reverse osmosis treatment at their drinking water tap regardless of their softening system choice.

The EPA's maximum contaminant level for nitrates is 10 mg/L, with particular concern for infants under six months and pregnant women above this threshold. Phoenix water typically tests well below this limit, but periodic exceedances in localized areas warrant monitoring, especially in Ahwatukee, Laveen, and far West Valley neighborhoods built on former farmland.

4. Why Most Phoenix Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Walk through any Phoenix-area home improvement store and you'll find dozens of water softener options — most of which are fundamentally inadequate for 12.8 GPG water. Valley residents consistently make four critical mistakes that turn softener shopping into an expensive trial-and-error process.

Mistake 1: Buying on Price Alone

The cheapest softener systems are sized for moderate hardness levels — typically 3-7 GPG ranges common in Midwestern cities. At Phoenix's 12.8 GPG, these undersized units exhaust their resin capacity within 2-3 days instead of the intended 7-10 day cycle. Homeowners end up with intermittent hard water breakthrough, constant regeneration cycles, and salt consumption that doubles their expected operating costs.

A 24,000-grain softener that works perfectly for a family in Denver will fail a Phoenix household of the same size within days. The math is unforgiving: Phoenix's mineral load requires commercial-grade capacity in residential applications.

Mistake 2: Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium — period. They do not reliably remove chlorine, fluoride, or nitrates present in Phoenix water. Residents expecting a single system to address both hardness and taste/odor issues end up disappointed with their softener's performance, not realizing they need a two-stage treatment approach for complete water conditioning.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

The sizing formula is straightforward, but Phoenix residents consistently underestimate their household's grain demand. Here's the calculation: [Number of people] × 75 gallons per person per day × 12.8 GPG = daily grain consumption. A four-person Phoenix family uses 3,840 grains daily — requiring regeneration every 5-6 days with a properly sized 32,000-grain system, or every 8-10 days with a 48,000-grain unit.

Many Valley homeowners choose systems based on the number of bedrooms or bathrooms rather than actual water usage and hardness levels, leading to chronic undersizing and poor performance.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 12.8 GPG, Phoenix softeners regenerate 50-75% more frequently than systems in moderate hardness regions. An inefficient unit can consume 40-60 pounds of salt monthly compared to 15-25 pounds for a high-efficiency model serving the same household. Over a 10-year lifespan in Phoenix, this difference compounds to $800-1,200 in unnecessary salt costs — often exceeding the initial price difference between systems.

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

After evaluating Phoenix's water hardness of 12.8 GPG and the presence of chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Valley homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This isn't marketing hyperbole — it's the logical conclusion when matching system capabilities to Phoenix's specific water chemistry challenges.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange Engineered for Extreme Hardness

The SoftPro Elite HE uses traditional salt-based ion exchange resin — the only technology that physically removes calcium and magnesium from water rather than attempting to modify their behavior. Salt-free systems and electronic "conditioners" simply cannot handle 12.8 GPG effectively. They work by changing mineral crystal structure, theoretically reducing scale formation, but they leave the minerals in the water.

At Phoenix's extreme hardness level, only complete mineral removal delivers reliable results. The SoftPro's cation exchange resin replaces every calcium and magnesium ion with sodium, reducing post-treatment hardness to less than 1 GPG — truly soft water that prevents scale formation entirely.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) Technology

Standard softeners regenerate on fixed time schedules — every three days, regardless of actual water usage. The SoftPro Elite HE monitors water flow and calculates grain depletion in real-time, regenerating only when the resin bed approaches exhaustion. For Phoenix households at 12.8 GPG, this precision prevents both hard water breakthrough and wasteful over-regeneration.

DIR technology is operationally essential in extreme hardness environments, not just convenient. Phoenix's mineral load varies day-to-day based on household usage patterns, seasonal demand, and municipal supply fluctuations. Fixed-schedule systems either regenerate too early (wasting salt and water) or too late (allowing hard water breakthrough that damages appliances).

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Performance

NSF certification verifies that the resin meets performance standards and materials safety requirements under continuous use conditions. For Phoenix residents already managing chlorine, fluoride, and potential nitrates in their water supply, knowing the softening process itself introduces no additional contaminants is essential for household water quality confidence.

The certification also validates grain capacity claims under real-world conditions. Many uncertified systems overstate their capacity, leading to undersizing for Phoenix's demanding 12.8 GPG application.

Multiple Grain Capacity Options

The SoftPro Elite HE is available in 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000-grain configurations, allowing precise sizing for Phoenix households. A typical four-person Valley family consuming 300 gallons daily needs 3,840 grains of capacity per day. The 48,000-grain model provides 12-13 days of capacity, allowing regeneration every 8-10 days for optimal efficiency and salt conservation.

10-Year System Warranty

At 12.8 GPG, softener resin experiences heavy daily mineral loading that accelerates normal wear patterns. The SoftPro's 10-year warranty provides Phoenix homeowners with protection during the years of highest hardness stress, when lesser systems typically begin showing performance degradation or require costly resin replacement.

Pre-Filter Integration Ready

The SoftPro Elite HE is designed to work downstream of sediment and carbon pre-filters, addressing Phoenix's chlorine contamination without compromising softener performance. The system includes connection points for upstream filtration, allowing Valley residents to create a complete treatment train: sediment removal, chlorine reduction, and hardness elimination in proper sequence.

For Phoenix homeowners dealing with 12.8 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Phoenix

Proper sizing for Phoenix's 12.8 GPG water requires precise calculation — guessing leads to chronic performance problems and unnecessary operating costs. Follow this step-by-step formula to determine the right grain capacity for your Valley household:

Step 1: Count household members accurately. Include anyone who lives in the home full-time, as temporary visitors don't significantly affect long-term sizing.

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day. This accounts for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing — the industry standard for residential water usage.

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 12.8 GPG = daily grain demand. This calculation determines how much hardness your family removes from Phoenix water each day.

Step 4: Multiply daily grain demand × 7 = weekly grain requirement. Most softeners operate optimally when regenerating every 5-10 days, so weekly capacity provides proper sizing guidance.

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days. Phoenix families use more water during summer months for pools, landscaping, and additional showers, requiring extra capacity.

Step 6: Match your calculated requirement to SoftPro Elite HE grain tiers: 32K, 48K, 64K, or 80K models.

Example calculation for a 4-person Phoenix household:

4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily
300 gallons × 12.8 GPG = 3,840 grains daily
3,840 grains × 7 days = 26,880 grains weekly
26,880 + 20% buffer = 32,256 grains needed

Recommendation: SoftPro Elite HE 48K model. This provides 48,000 grains of capacity, allowing regeneration every 8-10 days while maintaining a comfortable buffer for high-usage periods and ensuring optimal salt efficiency.

Regenerating every 5-7 days maximizes resin life and minimizes salt consumption. Systems that regenerate daily are undersized, while units going 14+ days between cycles may allow hardness breakthrough during peak demand periods.

7. Installation in Phoenix: What to Know

Phoenix requires licensed plumbers for water softener installation in most municipalities, and several Valley cities mandate permits for whole-house treatment systems. Check with your local building department before beginning installation — Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler have specific requirements that differ from Phoenix proper.

Proper placement is critical for Phoenix applications: install the SoftPro Elite HE after the main water shutoff valve but before the water heater. This ensures all water entering your home's distribution system is softened while maintaining access to unsoftened water for initial system bypass during maintenance. The system requires 110V electrical power for the control valve and adequate clearance for salt loading — typically 3 feet on the salt tank side.

Drain line routing requires careful attention in Phoenix installations. The regeneration cycle discharges concentrated brine that must drain properly without backing up. Most Valley homes can connect to existing utility sinks, floor drains, or standpipes, but systems installed in garages may require new drain connections to prevent concrete staining from salt discharge.

Phoenix municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-65 PSI — well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-80 PSI. However, homes in elevated areas of Ahwatukee, North Phoenix, or Cave Creek may experience lower pressure that requires booster pump consideration for optimal softener performance.

Salt type selection matters significantly at 12.8 GPG consumption rates. Use only evaporated salt pellets in Phoenix applications — the highest purity salt available with minimal insoluble residue. Solar salt crystals and rock salt contain impurities that accumulate in the brine tank faster at high usage rates, requiring more frequent cleaning and potentially fouling the resin bed over time.

Check salt levels monthly during your first year of operation to establish consumption patterns. Phoenix households typically use 40-50 pounds monthly with properly sized systems, but undersized units can double this consumption through excessive regeneration cycles.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Phoenix Homeowners

Phoenix's 12.8 GPG water demands more frequent maintenance attention than softeners in moderate hardness regions — but the schedule is straightforward when followed consistently. High mineral loading accelerates normal wear patterns and requires proactive care to maintain peak performance.

Monthly Maintenance

Check salt level in the brine tank — consumption is high at Phoenix's 12.8 GPG, typically requiring 40-50 pounds monthly for properly sized systems. Maintain salt level 3-4 inches above the water line, but never fill above the overflow fitting to prevent bridging.

Inspect for salt bridges monthly during your first year. A salt bridge is a hard crust that forms above the water line, preventing salt from dissolving during regeneration. Phoenix's dry climate can accelerate bridge formation, especially with lower-grade salt. Break bridges carefully with a broom handle, then regenerate manually to restore proper operation.

Verify the bypass valve remains in the service position unless you're performing maintenance. Accidentally leaving the system in bypass means hard water flows directly to your fixtures and appliances.

Quarterly Maintenance

Clean the brine tank every three months to remove accumulated sediment and prevent bacterial growth in Phoenix's warm climate. Empty remaining salt, scrub walls with diluted bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, and refill with fresh evaporated salt pellets.

Test post-softener water hardness using test strips available at pool supply stores. Properly functioning systems should deliver water under 1 GPG consistently. Hardness creeping above 3 GPG indicates resin exhaustion, control valve problems, or insufficient regeneration frequency.

If your system includes sediment pre-filtration for Phoenix's occasional turbidity issues, replace filter cartridges quarterly or when pressure drop exceeds manufacturer specifications.

Annual Maintenance

Perform complete brine tank cleaning and sanitization annually. Remove all salt, vacuum accumulated debris, and sanitize with chlorine bleach solution following manufacturer protocols. Phoenix's mineral-rich water can accelerate sediment accumulation compared to soft-water regions.

Conduct a resin bed performance evaluation annually. If post-softener hardness consistently exceeds 1 GPG despite proper salt levels and regeneration timing, the resin may require cleaning or replacement. High-GPG water can foul resin with iron, manganese, or organic compounds that reduce exchange capacity over time.

Audit regeneration cycle timing and salt dosage annually. Phoenix water chemistry can shift seasonally based on Colorado River conditions and municipal treatment adjustments, potentially requiring control valve recalibration for optimal efficiency.

Five-Year Maintenance

Evaluate resin replacement needs every five years. At 12.8 GPG, Phoenix systems process significantly more minerals than softeners in moderate hardness cities, potentially shortening resin service life from the typical 10-15 years to 8-12 years depending on water quality and usage patterns.

Phoenix residents should establish baseline water testing before installation and retest annually to track system performance. Home test kits measuring hardness, iron, and pH provide early warning of changing conditions that might require maintenance attention or system adjustments.

9. Is Phoenix's water at 12.8 GPG dangerous to drink?

No — Phoenix's 12.8 GPG hardness level poses no health risks for drinking water consumption. The World Health Organization and EPA classify calcium and magnesium as beneficial minerals, and many bottled waters actually add these compounds for taste and nutritional value. The "extremely hard" classification refers to appliance and plumbing impact, not health concerns.

Phoenix water meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards for municipal drinking water. The hardness minerals causing scale buildup in your pipes are the same calcium and magnesium found in multivitamin supplements and considered essential nutrients for bone health and cardiovascular function.

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

No — standard ion exchange water softeners do not remove chlorine. The SoftPro Elite HE is designed specifically for calcium and magnesium removal and has no effect on chlorine compounds added during Phoenix's water treatment process. Valley residents concerned about chlorine taste and odor require activated carbon filtration upstream or downstream of their softening system.

Whole-house carbon filters effectively remove chlorine and can be installed before the softener without affecting performance. Point-of-use carbon filters at kitchen sinks provide chlorine-free drinking and cooking water while maintaining softened water throughout the home for appliances and bathing.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Phoenix at 12.8 GPG?

Phoenix households typically consume 40-50 pounds of salt monthly with properly sized SoftPro Elite HE systems. This calculation assumes a four-person family using 300 gallons daily at 12.8 GPG hardness with regeneration every 8-10 days. Undersized systems regenerating more frequently can double salt consumption to 80-100 pounds monthly.

Use only evaporated salt pellets in Phoenix — solar crystals and rock salt contain impurities that accumulate faster at high usage rates. Budget $15-20 monthly for salt costs with current Valley pricing, compared to $5-8 monthly for households in soft-water regions.

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

Installation permit requirements vary by municipality throughout the Valley. Phoenix proper typically does not require permits for residential water softener installation, but Scottsdale, Tempe, and several smaller cities mandate permits and inspections for whole-house treatment systems. Check with your local building department before installation to avoid compliance issues.

Most Valley cities require licensed plumber installation regardless of permit requirements. DIY installation may void manufacturer warranties and create liability issues if leaks or drainage problems occur after installation.

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

Soft water feels different because soap actually works properly for the first time. Phoenix residents accustomed to 12.8 GPG water are used to soap forming scum instead of lather due to calcium and magnesium interference. With softened water, soap creates true lather that rinses completely clean, leaving skin feeling slippery rather than coated with mineral deposits.

This sensation is normal and beneficial — your skin and hair are actually cleaner without the mineral film that hard water leaves behind. Most Phoenix residents adjust to the feeling within 1-2 weeks and prefer the softer skin and shinier hair that result from truly soft water.

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

Phoenix homeowners notice immediate changes within 24-48 hours of SoftPro Elite HE installation. Soap lathers better immediately, and new water spots stop forming on dishes and shower doors. However, existing scale buildup from years of 12.8 GPG water takes 3-6 months to gradually dissolve and flush from your plumbing system.

Appliance efficiency improvements appear over several months as existing scale deposits slowly dissolve. Water heater efficiency gains become measurable after 60-90 days, while dishwasher and washing machine performance improves gradually as mineral buildup clears from internal components.

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

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively removes Phoenix's 12.8 GPG hardness without additional filtration, but chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates require separate treatment. For complete water conditioning, Valley residents typically pair the softener with upstream carbon filtration for chlorine removal and point-of-use reverse osmosis for fluoride and nitrate concerns at drinking water taps.

This staged approach addresses each contaminant with appropriate technology rather than expecting a single system to solve multiple water chemistry challenges. The SoftPro performs its hardness removal function perfectly while companion systems handle taste, odor, and specific health-related contaminants.

16. Final Verdict for Phoenix

Phoenix's hardness of 12.8 GPG demands commercial-grade treatment in residential applications. This isn't moderately hard water that homeowners can ignore or address with point-of-use solutions — it's an aggressive mineral concentration that damages appliances, wastes energy, and costs Valley families thousands annually in premature replacements and increased consumption.

Chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates compound the hardness problem by requiring multi-stage treatment planning. Phoenix residents need systems designed for extreme conditions, not generic solutions marketed to moderate hardness regions. The SoftPro Elite HE rises above alternatives through demand-initiated regeneration that prevents waste and breakthrough, NSF-certified resin that handles heavy mineral loading, and grain capacity options that allow proper sizing for Valley households.

The math is straightforward: Phoenix's water chemistry requires the SoftPro Elite HE's engineering capabilities. Lesser systems fail quickly under 12.8 GPG loading, leading to frustrated homeowners cycling through multiple inadequate units before discovering what should have been their first choice.

For Valley residents ready to protect their homes from Phoenix's challenging water conditions, check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for your household size. The system pays for itself through appliance protection and efficiency gains while delivering truly soft water that makes daily tasks more enjoyable and effective.

After all, Phoenix may be built on desert geology, but your home's plumbing doesn't have to suffer like it's still part of the Colorado River canyon system.

17. Complete Phoenix Water Softener Resource Summary

This comprehensive guide covers every aspect Phoenix homeowners need to understand about water softening at 12.8 GPG hardness levels. From the initial water chemistry challenges through system selection, sizing, installation, and long-term maintenance, Valley residents now have the data-driven information necessary to make confident treatment decisions.

Phoenix water's extreme hardness combined with chlorine, fluoride, and nitrates creates a unique treatment challenge that requires engineered solutions rather than generic approaches. The SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener addresses these specific conditions through proven ion exchange technology, intelligent regeneration control, and robust construction designed for high-mineral applications.

Remember that proper sizing, professional installation, and consistent maintenance determine long-term success with any water treatment system. Phoenix's demanding water conditions reward homeowners who invest in quality equipment and follow manufacturer-recommended care schedules, while punishing those who cut corners on capacity or maintenance.