Water Treatment & Filtration Services in San Diego, CA

San Diego’s hard water can damage plumbing and affect the water quality throughout your home. Pacific Drain & Plumbing installs whole-home water filtration and softening systems that protect your plumbing and improve the water you use every day, backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.

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Our Water Treatment Services

We install and service complete water treatment solutions.

Water Softener Installation

Professional installation of water softening systems that remove calcium and magnesium, protecting plumbing and improving water quality.

Whole House Water Filtration

Complete filtration systems that remove sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants from all water entering your home.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Advanced filtration for drinking water that removes up to 99% of dissolved solids and contaminants.

Water Filtration System Maintenance

Filter replacement, system checks, and maintenance to keep your treatment systems working efficiently.
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San Diego's Water Quality Challenges

San Diego’s water comes primarily from the Colorado River and Northern California, bringing high mineral content that creates hard water throughout the county.

What hard water does:

  • Leaves white spots on dishes – Mineral residue that won’t wash off
  • Makes soap less effective – Creates soap scum and leaves skin feeling dry
  • Builds up inside pipes – Narrows passages and reduces flow over time
  • Shortens appliance life – Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines wear out faster
  • Creates scale in water heaters – Makes them work harder and fail sooner

Other water quality concerns in some areas:

  • Chlorine taste and odor
  • Sediment from aging infrastructure
  • Specific contaminants depending on your neighborhood

The right treatment system addresses your specific issues while protecting your plumbing investment.

Signs You Need Water Treatment

Watch for these indicators of water quality problems.

  • White scale on fixtures – Mineral buildup around faucets and showerheads
  • Spots on dishes – White film remains after washing
  • Dry skin and hair – Hard water makes soap less effective
  • Soap scum buildup – Film in tubs and showers that’s hard to clean
  • Stiff laundry – Clothes feel rough after washing
  • Appliance problems – Water heaters and dishwashers failing prematurely
  • Bad taste or odor – Chlorine, metallic, or unpleasant tastes
  • Cloudy or discolored water – Visible sediment or particles

These problems point to water quality issues that treatment systems solve.

Choosing the Right System

Different water problems require different solutions. Here’s how they compare.

Water softeners:

  • Remove calcium and magnesium (hardness minerals)
  • Protect plumbing from scale buildup
  • Make soap work better
  • Don’t filter out other contaminants

Whole house filtration:

  • Remove sediment, chlorine, and various contaminants
  • Improve taste and odor
  • Protect appliances
  • Don’t address hardness

Combination systems:

  • Many San Diego homes benefit from both softener and filtration
  • Softener protects plumbing from scale
  • Filtration handles taste, odor, and contaminant removal

Reverse osmosis:

  • Highest level of filtration for drinking water
  • Multi-stage systems remove virtually everything
  • Typically installed just for kitchen drinking water, not whole-house

We’ll test your water and discuss your concerns to recommend the right system or combination.

Professional Installation Matters

Water treatment systems need proper sizing and installation to work effectively.

Sizing considerations:

  • Undersized softeners – Regenerate too frequently and waste salt
  • Oversized systems – Cost more and work inefficiently
  • Right size – Calculated based on water usage, hardness level, and household size

Installation requirements:

  • Proper location – Access for maintenance and service
  • Drain line connections – Softeners need somewhere to discharge
  • Electrical access – Many systems need power
  • Adequate space – Room for filter changes and salt addition
  • Correct plumbing connections – Properly sized and sealed

After installation, we program the system for your water conditions and show you how to maintain it.

Mauzy Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical customer reviews on Google

Pacific Drain & Plumbing is a Mauzy brand. The reviews below are from Mauzy customers in San Diego, served by the same team that handles Pacific Drain jobs.

Areas We Serve

From booking to completion, our streamlined process ensures hassle-free, efficient handyman services. Just follow the steps below, and we’ll handle the rest, delivering quality work you can count on.

Pacific Drain Service Area Map

Water Treatment & Filtration Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what water treatment system I need?

We can test your water to measure hardness and identify contaminants. Based on results and your concerns, we'll recommend the appropriate system.

How much does a whole house water softener cost?

Cost varies based on system size, capacity, and features. Most residential installations range from a few thousand dollars for basic systems to more for high-capacity models.

Will a water softener make my water salty?

Modern softeners add minimal sodium, typically less than you'd get from a slice of bread per 8oz glass. People on sodium-restricted diets can use potassium chloride instead.

How often do I need to add salt to a water softener?

Most households add salt every 4-8 weeks depending on usage. Check the brine tank periodically and add when it runs low.

Do water filtration systems remove healthy minerals?

Standard filtration removes contaminants while leaving beneficial minerals. Reverse osmosis removes nearly everything but is typically only used for drinking water.

How often do filters need replacement?

Filter lifespan varies by type and usage. Sediment filters last 3-6 months; carbon filters last 6-12 months. We'll establish a schedule for your system.

Will this help my water heater last longer?

Yes, significantly. Soft water eliminates scale buildup that shortens water heater life. Many heaters last twice as long with treated water.

Connect with Pacific Drain today for guaranteed services!

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