Spring is a great time for homeowners in Eagan to think about maintenance and upgrades—and one of the most impactful (yet often overlooked) improvements is your home’s water quality. If you’re on city water, chances are you’re dealing with hard water. In fact, the average water hardness in Eagan is about 19.2 grains per gallon (GPG)—well above the recommended level of 5 GPG, where a water softener is strongly advised.
Hard water isn’t just a minor inconvenience. Over time, it can lead to scale buildup inside your plumbing, reduce the efficiency of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, and leave residue on fixtures, dishes, and glassware. That buildup—along with chlorine and chloramines in city water—can quietly shorten the lifespan of your home’s plumbing system and appliances.
Not All Water Softeners Are Created Equal
Many homeowners consider purchasing a lower-cost system from a big box store. While those can work in the short term, there are some key differences to understand. Lower-priced units are often built with lighter components and shorter expected lifespans. We’ve seen cases where systems leak early—or even have issues right out of the box. They also tend to be less efficient, using more salt and water during
regeneration cycles.
Higher-quality systems, like the Brita PRO systems we install, are designed to regenerate based on actual usage, not a fixed schedule. That means less waste, lower operating costs, and more consistent performance throughout your home.
Warranty and Long-Term Support Matter
One of the biggest differences homeowners don’t always see upfront is the warranty. Brita PRO systems typically offer 7–10 year warranties on the control valve (depending on the model) and a lifetime warranty on the tank. Many big box store systems come with shorter warranties—often around 5 years—and can be more difficult to service when something goes wrong. Just as important as the warranty itself is who stands behind it. When you work with a local plumbing company, like Champion Plumbing, you have a trusted team to call if there’s ever an issue—rather than trying to navigate customer service with an overseas manufacturer.
Why a Carbon Filter Matters
For homes on city water, we strongly recommend pairing a water softener with a carbon filter. Municipal water is treated with chlorine or chloramines to keep it safe, but those same chemicals can affect taste, odor, and even your skin and hair. A whole-home carbon filter helps remove those before the water reaches your fixtures—providing cleaner, better-tasting water throughout your entire home.
Installation and Setup Make a Difference
The system itself is only part of the equation—proper installation and setup are just as
important. When Champion Plumbing installs a system, we:
- Size it correctly for your home’s water usage
- Program it for optimal efficiency
- Ensure all connections are secure and up to code
- Test the system to confirm it’s performing as intended
We also stand behind our work with a labor warranty, giving you added peace of mind.
Know Your Water
Every home is different, which is why we offer free water analysis. We can test your water’s hardness and chlorine levels and help you understand exactly what’s going on in your home.
The Bottom Line
While a lower upfront cost can be tempting, water treatment is a long-term investment.
A properly installed, high-quality softener with a carbon filter can help protect your plumbing, improve efficiency, and provide better water for your home every day.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your water system, spring is the perfect time to take a closer look.
