FAQ

Water purification

General

Why don’t you offer systems to treat well water?

Our water purification and filtration systems are specifically designed for water from municipal supplies. We currently do not offer any solutions to treat well water because it generally requires more complex solutions due to the differences in quality. We may however offer this type of product in the future.

What modes of payment are accepted?

HydroSolution offers purchase or rental for all water purification and filtration systems listed on our website.

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What’s included with rental?
  • A three-year contract
  • The device and its standard installation by expert professionals
  • Free filters and membranes for the entire duration of the rental agreement
  • Free parts and repairs in the case anything breaks
  • A warranty for as long as you have a rental agreement with us
  • Transfer of lease: If you sell your home or move, you need to declare the lease to the new owner. The new owner will then be responsible for the remaining term of the lease.
  • Option of terminating the lease by purchasing the system in line with a depreciation table.
What happens when my rental agreement expires?

If your system is still working properly and in good condition after the three-year contract period, you have the option of continuing your monthly payments to extend your term, or buying back the system.

If you choose to extend your term, your contract renews month after month* and you remain under warranty. If you decide to buy back your system, the amount owed will be calculated according to a depreciation table. Your system will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. However, you will now be responsible for labour costs.

*HydroSolution reserves the right to modify monthly rates after the three-year contract.

Do HydroSolution clients need to pay for replacement filters and membranes?

Clients who rent their system from us will automatically receive replacement filters and membranes every year for their reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration systems. Clients who have purchased their system from us can visit our supplier Excalibur’s website to purchase filters and membranes (https://residential.excaliburwater.com/).

Can I get a water purification and filtration system from HydroSolution if I’m a tenant?

Yes, but you need your landlord’s authorization because the contract will be in their name. They will be responsible for the payments.

Are the systems installed by certified installation technicians?

HydroSolution only hires certified technicians who are members of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Enjoy peace of mind by calling on us to install your system.

Does the installation come with warranties?

Different systems will come with different warranties on parts (please see the page of the product you’re interested in). Installation and labour are covered by a 1-year warranty. The warranty that comes with your rental agreement covers the entire term of your agreement – three years. After this period expires, you have the option of continuing your monthly payments to extend your term, or buying back the system.

What’s included in the standard installation of a water purification system?

Standard installation includes the system selected along with its accessories (example: a faucet). It does not include extras such as a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) or water entry valve. Other charges may apply, depending on the type of installation or configuration of your home.

Following the initial installation, can my rented system be moved to another location?

Unfortunately, you cannot move your rented system to another address without notifying HydroSolution and paying reinstallation fees or purchasing the device in line with the depreciation table as listed in your rental agreement.

However, if you sell your home, you can transfer the lease agreement to the new owner. You must include a statement about the lease in the declaration of the seller. You must also contact our team.

I’m already a HydroSolution member. Do I get a discount?

Yes, existing HydroSolution clients get a discount on their bill. If your water heater comes from HydroSolution, you’ll benefit from a $30 discount on your water heater bill.

What is the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)?

The CSA Group is a non-profit organization that accredits and disseminates standards in Canada. The CSA Group provides unique solutions to test and certify plumbing products that supply drinking water or contain a filter, water softener,  or a reverse osmosis or ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit.

What is the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)?

The NSF is an inspection and certification organization that guarantees the products meet public health standards. NSF certification is not a one-off event, it involves regular on-site inspections of manufacturing facilities and regular testing of products to continually ensure they meet the highest standards required to maintain certification over time.

Under Sink Systems

What is ultrafiltration?

Ultrafiltration is a purification process that uses a membrane with very fine pores to remove particles while letting essential minerals pass through. The water produced is clean, safe to drink, and contains beneficial nutrients.

What is reverse osmosis?

Reverse osmosis is a process that purifies water thanks to a semipermeable membrane that removes most contaminants including dissolved minerals. The water is pushed through a membrane barrier which retains the impurities. The water that comes out the other side of the membrane is very pure and ideal for any use that requires superior quality water. Keep in mind that this water will no longer contain any beneficial minerals.

How does a reverse osmosis membrane work?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a process by which water molecules are pushed through a semipermeable membrane. During the process, contaminants are filtered out and therefore eliminated. As a result, the water is drinkable and delicious. In fact, reverse osmosis can eliminate up to 99% of 65 different contaminants such as lead, fluoride, chlorine, and dissolved salts.

What’s the difference between reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration?

Reverse osmosis systems have smaller pores – about 0.001 micron – to filter pollutants and any minerals naturally present in water. Ultrafiltration systems have bigger pores – 0.02 microns. That allows ultrafiltration systems to eliminate potentially harmful particles while keeping beneficial elements such as calcium and magnesium in the water.

Should I worry that reverse osmosis systems eliminate essential minerals from my water?

No. In Canada, water is not considered a significant source of minerals when compared to foods. According to federal guidelines, if you eat a balanced diet, you don’t need to take mineral supplements if you drink water treated by reverse osmosis.

Can a water purification and filtration system be connected to my fridge or ice maker?

Point-of-use water treatment systems are connected to the cold water line, drain, and independent taps. Our experts can also connect a reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration system to your ice maker (with the possibility of extra charges).

How often do the filters need to be replaced?

Filters in reverse osmosis systems need to be replaced every year. The membrane in these systems need to be replaced every three years. Filters in ultrafiltration systems need to be replaced every 8 to 12 months while the membranes in these systems need to be replaced every three years. You’ll never have to replace a filter in a whole house system since they are good for the lifespan of the product.

Whole House Systems

How is the water filtered?

Filtration is a process that removes solids and contaminants from water. The impurities are removed via techniques such as filtration through granular activated carbon.

How does a Heavy Metal and Chlorine Filter work?

Our Heavy Metal and Chlorine Filter provides clean, safe drinking water to your family. It’s designed to eliminate dissolved heavy metals, such as lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The filtration unit is installed directly on the main water line of your home. That means you’ll enjoy safe water from every faucet in your home.

What is hard water?

Hard water contains high levels of minerals, mostly positively charged calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions. It may also contain other dissolved compounds such as bicarbonates and sulfates. Water is defined as hard when it contains more than 7 grains per gallon (120 mg/L) of minerals.

What is a grain?

Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). Grains are the amount of calcium and magnesium ions that are present in a municipality’s water supply system. Calcium and magnesium are the two most common minerals that make water hard. The more minerals water contains, the higher its hardness.

How does hard water affect my home?

In many areas of Quebec, groundwater comes into contact with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. The harder the water, the more problems homeowners will experience with scale buildup in their pipes, water heater, and appliances such as dishwashers – making them less energy-efficient. Scale will also reduce the lifespan of your home’s appliances and clog faucets. Hard water can also cause residue stains and reduce the effectiveness of your soap and detergent.

How does a water softener work?

The softener tank is specifically designed to eliminate magnesium and calcium particles by a simple ion exchange process using a resin or mineral. A concentrated sodium/salt solution (brine tank) is discharged through resin beads inside the tank. These beads have a different or opposite electrical charge to the dissolved particles in the inbound water. Because of the difference in electrical charge, the dissolved particles suspended in the water bond with the resin. The water is said to be softened because these particles are removed. However, resin has a limit to the amount of particles it can hold which explains why there are many different softener sizes and why regeneration or brining is necessary.

What’s the difference between a 32,000 grain and 42,000 grain softener?

Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). This figure refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium ions present in a municipality’s water supply. A 32,000 or 42,000 grain model corresponds to the size of the equipment. In other words, it has the capacity to remove either 32,000 or 42,000 grains. Someone with very hard water will opt for higher-volume equipment, i.e., a 42,000 grain softener. If you need advice on which model to select, please contact one of our advisors at 1 877 353-0077.

What is the ion exchange process?

Ion exchange is a process that removes ionized metals in water that are responsible for making it hard. The ions in calcium and magnesium are swapped with sodium ions or the negative ions in the exchange resin. The water carrying positively charged calcium/magnesium ions is pushed through the negatively charged beads in the brine tank. As the water passes through the beads (or resin), it becomes saturated and can no longer attract more calcium/magnesium. It effectively turns hard water into soft water. This ion exchange is followed by a process called regeneration.

What is regeneration?

The regeneration process occurs when a concentrated sodium/salt solution (brine tank) passes through the beads which “washes” them by removing the calcium/magnesium ions and flushing them out of the system. The brine tank is rinsed to remove excess salt and then refilled. When the system “regenerates” it cannot produce filtered water. The process can be programmed to take place during off-peak hours (between 2 and 4 a.m. for instance) in line with the owner’s preferences.

How is the regeneration process scheduled?

The regeneration process occurs in accordance with how much water is treated. The regeneration cycle is triggered when the resin can no longer bind to the calcium/magnesium because the water is saturated. It’s worth noting that this process requires less salt and electricity.

What kind of salt can I use for my water softener system?

We recommend buying very clean, high-purity salt – with a purity level of about 99.5%. All softeners can also use potassium chloride instead of salt. Keep in mind that using impure salt may clog the control valve injectors. If this occurs, you will need to call a technician for repairs.

How much salt does my water softener require?

The average water softener with 1 cubic foot of resin will use about 6 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle to achieve a cost-efficient capacity of 22,000 grains (grain hardness divided by grain capacity equals the number of gallons of water that can be treated before the resin becomes saturated). We highly recommend not putting more than 40 kg of water-softening salt or potassium chloride in the brine tank at any time.

How often should I add salt to the brine tank?

The brine tank will already be filled when the system is installed. Add more salt after 4 or 5 days. We recommend using salt with a purity level of about 99.5%. How often you will need to add salt will depend on how often your system needs to regenerate. The more often your softener regenerates, the more salt it will consume. You can let the salt reduce to the point it is just below the water level. When water is visible above the salt line, you need to add more salt. As a rule of thumb, add salt to the brine tank about every 8 weeks.

My valve seems to be working but the level of salt isn’t going down. What could the problem be?

This can be due to a number of reasons, including:

  1. The valve is not regenerating due to a mechanical problem.
  2. Salt may have solidified above the water line at the bottom of the brine tank.
  3. The valve is unable to draw in the brine solution. Float valves prevent the tank from overflowing – this could happen if the valve were not closed.
  4. The brine filler is clogged which prevents water from filling the brine tank.

If you have a problem with your water softener, please contact our customer service department at 1 877 353-0077.

Can people who are on a low-sodium diet drink water produced by a water softener?

If you have any concerns or if you are on a low-sodium diet, consider using a reverse osmosis system along with your water softener. This will ensure the water that you use for drinking and cooking is purified. Don’t forget that most of our daily intake of salt comes from table salt, processed foods, and soft drinks.

Why does my skin feel slippery after a shower with soft water?

Hard water contains minerals that leave a residue called “soap scum”. This residue is left on everything the water comes into contact with (your hair, your skin, the tub, etc.). Soap rinses off completely in soft water. What felt normal with hard water was actually due to the friction caused by soap scum. Does your hair feel brittle when you dry it? Getting rid of soap scum will leave your hair feeling silky smooth. Moreover, soft water reduces the amount of soap and detergent you need. Your hair will be shinier and softer, your towels will be fluffier, and your skin pores will no longer be clogged with soap.

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