Maybe. Whether you need a water softener depends on the water your utility delivers and on what hard water is doing at your house. There's no single hardness number for the Valley, so look up your own utility's latest water quality report before you spend anything.
How hard is my water?
It depends on who supplies it. Utilities print hardness in one or both of two units: parts per million (ppm) and grains per gallon (gpg). Here's what a few of them print, exactly as their reports show it.
- Tempe. The City of Tempe Water Utilities' 2025 Consumer Confidence and Water Quality Report, in Table 7, prints an average of 211 ppm, with a range of 177 to 557 ppm. In grains, that is an average of 12.3 gpg, with a range of 10.4 to 32.6 gpg.
- Phoenix. The City of Phoenix Water Services' 2025 Water Quality Report lists total hardness at 172 to 302 ppm.
- Surprise. The city runs more than one water system. The 2025 reports print an average of 3.9 gpg for the Mountain Vista system and an average of 6.2 gpg for the Desert Oasis system.
That's three cities and three different answers. Even inside one city, the number depends on which system serves you. Tempe's range also shows that the number moves, so one reading is a snapshot, not a promise.
Some utilities print no hardness number at all. The City of Glendale's 2024 report has none, though it does say hard water can lead to scaling in pipes, water heaters and plumbing fixtures like faucets and showerheads. The City of Peoria's 2025 report prints no single hardness number either, but it does list calcium and magnesium. The City of Goodyear's 2025 report has no hardness row, but it gives softener guidance: "Set your softener hardness to 14 - 20 grains per gallon for best water efficiency." That's the city's setting tip, not a measured hardness.
One more catch. Peoria's own report says several private water companies serve residents in certain areas of the city. So the report you need is your provider's, and that isn't always your city's. Your water bill names your provider.
Do I need a water softener, or is it a waste of money?
No single yes or no fits every house. Hardness is about scale in your plumbing and appliances, so it's really about how the water behaves in your house.
Start with four questions. What does your utility's report say about hardness, if anything? Do you see white scale on faucets, showerheads or glass? How long do you plan to stay in the house? And are you fine with the upkeep, which usually means salt and an occasional service visit?
If the number is low and you see little scale, you may not need one. If the number is high and scale is building up, a softener may be worth pricing. Either answer is fair. A plumber who pushes a softener without looking at your report isn't doing you any favors.
Should I get a softener or a conditioner?
They aren't the same thing. A softener and a conditioner treat hard water in different ways, and each has trade-offs in upkeep and results. Our water softener vs. conditioner comparison walks through the difference. Read it before you compare quotes, so you know which one you're actually being quoted.
Does a softener change what is in my drinking water?
Yes, it does change the water. A salt-based softener trades the hardness minerals for sodium or potassium. The amount depends on your water and your settings.
If you have a health reason to watch sodium, talk to your doctor before you buy. Ask your plumber whether a separate drinking-water tap makes sense. Some utilities' reports also list sodium, so you may be able to see where your water starts.
Also ask your city and your HOA whether they have any rules about softeners. It's easier to ask first than to find out after the install.
Will a softener help my water heater?
The Glendale report above ties hard water to scaling in water heaters, and a softener is built to remove hardness minerals. So it's a reasonable question to bring to a plumber. What no one should promise is a specific number of extra years. Heaters fail for several reasons, and hardness is only one of them. For more on heaters and hard water, see how long a water heater lasts in Phoenix.
What changes the price?
Different homes need different systems, so honest pricing starts with questions. The main factors are the type of system you choose, the size of your household and how much water you use, and how hard your water is. Installation matters too, including where the drain and the power are at your house. Then there's salt and upkeep over time, and whether you add a separate drinking-water filter.
Ask for the full price in writing before any work starts.
When should I call a licensed plumber?
Call when you've decided a softener is worth pricing, or when scale, weak flow or stained fixtures are getting worse. Have your provider's name and its latest report handy. If you live in Tempe, the city report quoted above is the place to start.
A licensed plumber will ask which utility serves you, look at your report, talk through the options, and give you the price before starting. You approve it first. If you'd like a plumber to read that report with you, start with our water quality and softener service page, or just ask us.
Common Questions
It depends on which utility serves your home. Look up your provider's latest water quality report, and if it prints no hardness number, ask the utility or have your water tested.
They are different systems that do different jobs. Decide what you want first, such as less scale, then ask a plumber which one fits.
Yes. A salt-based softener changes the mineral mix in your water and adds sodium or potassium. If you have a health reason to watch sodium, ask your doctor, and ask your plumber about a separate drinking-water tap.
The City of Glendale's 2024 water quality report says hard water can lead to scaling in water heaters. A softener is built to remove hardness minerals, but no one can promise how long your heater will last.
