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Reverse osmosis is the finest water filtration method known. This process will allow the removal of particles as small as ions from a solution. It is used to purify water and remove salts and other impurities in order to improve the color, taste or properties of the fluid. R.O. uses a membrane that is semi-permeable, allowing the fluid that is being purified to pass through it, while rejecting other ions and contaminants from passing. This technology uses a process known as crossflow to allow the r.o. membrane to continually clean itself. This is the reason of why an r.o. element can last many years before clogging or need replacement. This water purification process requires a driving force to push the fluid through the membrane, and the most common force is household water pressure or pressure from a booster pump. The higher the pressure, the larger the driving force and efficiency.

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CALIFORNIA - As of January 1, 2009, salt-based water softeners officially became illegal in Santa Clarita Valley, California. While this ban will take effect immediately, existing owners will be given a grace period of 180 days to have their water softeners removed free of charge to ease the transition of the new law. Homeowners can also get a rebate of between $206 - $2000 for turning in their existing ion-exchange softners before June 30, 2009.

Communities affected by this ordinance include Santa Clarita, Saugus, Valencia, Newhall, Castaic, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bouquet Canyon, Mint Canyon, and Forrest Park. Communities that are served by septic tanks instead of the public sewer systems are not affected by this ordinance.

Homeowner Solutions

What can you do if you don't want to suffer with the hard water that is present in Santa Clarita Valley? There are two options available.

• Use one of the exchange tank services, where they place a tank in your garage and exchange it out monthly for proper salt disposal.

• Install a salt-free water conditioning system that softens and reduces scale without the use of harmful salt and chemicals.

Take the Rebate and Run

Up to $2,000 for your Automatic Water Softener The Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District (Sanitation District) offers an automatic water softener rebate program. If you have an automatic water softener, you can get a rebate for the reasonable value of the unit—from $206 up to $2,000—and free removal by a pre-selected licensed plumber.

Applying for the rebate is simple: Submit the one page rebate application to the Sanitation District (forms can be obtained by clicking on the Rebate Application Form link above). After receiving your authorization to proceed, which will identify your rebate amount, schedule an appointment with a plumber on the list that accompanies the letter. Watch the mail for your check. To get the rebate application form, click here.

Salt-Free Water Softeners

No Salt, No Mess, No Scale, No Problem.

History

The Santa Clarita Sanitation District had been faced with a mandate to reduce the chloride (salt) levels in its waste water or face heavy fines. This problem was created by the chemcial solutions used by residential water softeners to control hard water. This salty solution was being discharged into the Santa Clara River and was harming aquatic life and agriculture. The residents of Santa Clarita thus voted in Measure S which would allow the sanitation district to fine homeowners up to $1,000 if they continue to use salt-based, ion-exchange water conditioners that use either sodium chloride or potassium chloride.