If you’ve lived in the Chicago suburbs long enough, you’ve seen the evidence of hard water everywhere: white scale on faucets, spotted glasses from the dishwasher, dry skin after showers, and water heaters that fail years before they should. Des Plaines and Arlington Heights — like most of Chicagoland — have moderately hard to hard water, measuring 8–12 grains per gallon (GPG).
Hard water isn’t a health hazard, but it costs you money. It reduces the efficiency of your water heater, shortens the life of appliances, and makes soap and detergent less effective. A whole-house water softener or filtration system can solve these problems — and today’s systems are more efficient and affordable than ever.
At MMDS, we install and service water treatment systems across the North Shore and northwest suburbs. This guide covers everything from water testing to system selection to installation costs.
Understanding Your Water: Des Plaines & Arlington Heights
Water Hardness
The City of Des Plaines and Village of Arlington Heights both draw water from Lake Michigan via the Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency (JAWA). While Lake Michigan water is treated and generally safe, it still contains dissolved minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium — that make it “hard.”
Typical hardness levels in the area:
- Des Plaines: 7–10 GPG (moderately hard to hard)
- Arlington Heights: 8–11 GPG (hard)
- For comparison: Soft water is 0–3 GPG; very hard is 11+ GPG
Other Water Quality Concerns
Beyond hardness, Chicagoland homeowners may want to address:
- Chlorine/chloramine: Used for disinfection, can cause taste and odor issues
- Lead: Older homes (pre-1986) may have lead service lines or lead solder in copper pipes
- PFAS: “Forever chemicals” found in some Illinois water systems
- Sediment: Fine particles that can affect water clarity and appliance longevity
Water Treatment Options Compared
| System Type | What It Does | Installed Cost | Annual Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Softener (Ion Exchange) | Removes calcium & magnesium | $1,500–$3,500 | $100–$200 (salt) |
| Salt-Free Conditioner (TAC) | Prevents scale without removing minerals | $1,800–$4,000 | $50–$100 (media) |
| Whole-House Carbon Filter | Removes chlorine, taste, odor, some chemicals | $1,000–$2,500 | $100–$300 (filter) |
| Reverse Osmosis (Under-Sink) | Removes 95%+ contaminants (drinking water) | $400–$1,200 | $50–$150 (filters) |
| Whole-House Filtration + Softener Combo | Comprehensive water treatment | $2,500–$5,500 | $200–$400 |
Water Softeners: The Most Popular Solution
How Ion Exchange Softeners Work
A traditional water softener uses a tank of resin beads charged with sodium (salt) ions. As hard water flows through the tank, calcium and magnesium ions swap places with sodium ions. When the resin is saturated, the system regenerates by flushing it with a salt brine solution, washing the captured minerals down the drain.
Benefits for Your Home
- Extend water heater life by 30–50% — scale buildup is the #1 cause of water heater failure
- Use 50–75% less soap and detergent — soft water lathers more effectively
- Eliminate white scale deposits on faucets, showerheads, and glass
- Softer skin and hair — no more mineral residue after showering
- Protect dishwashers, washing machines, and ice makers from mineral buildup
- Brighter, softer laundry — minerals in hard water dull fabrics and make them stiff
Choosing the Right Size
Water softener capacity is measured in grains. The right size depends on your water hardness and household water usage:
| Household Size | Daily Water Use (est.) | Recommended Softener Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 people | 80–160 gallons | 24,000–32,000 grain |
| 3–4 people | 160–320 gallons | 32,000–48,000 grain |
| 5+ people | 320–500+ gallons | 48,000–64,000 grain |
Salt Usage & Maintenance
A properly sized water softener for a family of 4 in the Des Plaines area uses about 40–80 lbs of salt per month (one 40-lb bag costs $5–$8 at any home improvement store). Modern high-efficiency softeners use significantly less salt and water during regeneration than older models.
Whole-House Filtration: Beyond Softening
Carbon Filtration
A whole-house activated carbon filter removes chlorine, chloramine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and improves taste and odor from every faucet in your home. This is a great add-on to a water softener — the softener handles hardness, the carbon filter handles taste and chemicals.
Sediment Filtration
A sediment pre-filter (typically 5 micron) catches sand, silt, rust particles, and other debris before it reaches your softener or appliances. Especially useful if your area has older water mains or you notice occasional cloudiness in your water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) for Drinking Water
For the highest-quality drinking water, an under-sink reverse osmosis system removes up to 99% of dissolved contaminants including lead, PFAS, fluoride, arsenic, and pharmaceuticals. We typically install a dedicated RO faucet at your kitchen sink, giving you purified water for drinking and cooking.
The Installation Process
Here’s what to expect when MMDS installs a water treatment system in your Des Plaines or Arlington Heights home:
Step 1: Water Testing
We test your water for hardness, pH, iron, chlorine, TDS (total dissolved solids), and any specific contaminants you’re concerned about. This determines exactly which treatment system you need.
Step 2: System Recommendation
Based on your water test results, household size, plumbing configuration, and budget, we recommend the right system. No one-size-fits-all solutions — every home is different.
Step 3: Installation (Half Day)
Most water softener installations take 3–5 hours. We install the system near your water main entry point (usually in the basement or utility room), connect to your plumbing and drain, and program the control valve for your specific water conditions.
Step 4: Testing & Setup
We verify water flow rates, check for leaks, set the regeneration schedule, and test softened water at multiple fixtures to confirm proper operation.
FAQ: Water Filtration & Softeners in Des Plaines & Arlington Heights
Is softened water safe to drink?
Yes. The amount of sodium added by a water softener is minimal — roughly 28 mg per 8-oz glass for 10 GPG water (compared to 150+ mg in a slice of bread). However, if you’re on a strict sodium-restricted diet, a reverse osmosis system at your kitchen sink removes the added sodium.
Will a water softener fix my low water pressure?
If your low pressure is caused by mineral scale buildup inside your pipes, a softener will prevent further buildup (and pressure may gradually improve). However, existing scale won’t dissolve overnight. For severe scale, you may need pipe descaling or replacement.
How often does a water softener need maintenance?
Add salt to the brine tank every 4–6 weeks (just pour in a bag). Beyond that, a professional inspection every 1–2 years ensures the resin is performing well and the control valve is operating correctly.
Can I install a water softener in a condo or townhome?
It depends on your plumbing access. If you have a dedicated water line and a utility area with drain access, yes. If you share water lines with other units, you’ll need HOA approval. We’ve installed softeners in many Arlington Heights and Des Plaines condos and townhomes — contact us to discuss your specific situation.
What about salt-free water softeners?
Salt-free systems (Template Assisted Crystallization / TAC) don’t actually remove hardness minerals — they change their structure so they don’t stick to surfaces. They reduce scale but don’t provide the “soft water feel” or the lathering improvement of true softeners. They’re a good option if you want scale prevention without the salt or drain requirements.
Schedule Your Free Water Test
The first step to better water is knowing what’s in it. MMDS offers complimentary water testing for homeowners in Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Niles, Elk Grove Village, and surrounding communities.
Financing available through Sunbit and PowerPay — making clean, soft water affordable for every budget.
📞 Call (847) 221-6280 or request your free water test online.
MMDS — Licensed plumbers and water treatment specialists serving Chicagoland since 2004. See all our plumbing services →