Yes. Manatee County reports 106–279 mg/L (roughly 6 to 16 grains per gallon) depending on the blend that day; Pinellas prints 189–244 mg/L and even lists the softener setting for it. Anything over 121 mg/L is “hard” on the USGS scale. It varies by address, which is why we measure at your sink instead of quoting a county average.

A softener takes out the hardness minerals that cause spots, scale and dry skin. A filter takes out taste, odor and disinfectant. Most homes on city water here want both in one tank, because the water is hard and chloraminated; that’s what the Hydronex and Defender iGen C are. On a well, the filter side is usually iron and sulfur instead.

Yes — RO reduces or removes PFAS, and the Micromax 8500 is certified for PFOA/PFOS reduction under NSF/ANSI 53. Locally: Manatee and Pinellas found no PFAS above reporting limits in their UCMR5 testing; Sarasota County reported PFOA at 3.8 ppt at the Carlton plant (under the 4.0 ppt limit); Charlotte County’s samples ran up to 5.2 ppt PFOA and 4.3 ppt PFOS. We’ll show you your utility’s page at the test.

It depends on your water and your home, which is why we start with the free test — you’ll have a written number before we leave. There’s a system at every budget: our own Hydrology Essentials softener is value-built equipment we install, warranty and service ourselves, and the Puronics line sits above it for homes that need more. We’ll show you the range and tell you which one your water actually needs — the biggest system isn’t automatically the right one. 0% and low-monthly financing through Synchrony and Wisetack; checking your options doesn’t affect your credit.

Even more so. Nobody tests a private well but the owner, so the free test is the only report you’ll get. Iron, sulfur, tannins and hardness are the usual four east of I-75, and we build the system to your numbers on US-made Clack valves rather than selling a package.

Then we tell you that and leave you our number. Moderate hardness, no complaints, water heater under warranty — plenty of homes hear exactly that. We’d rather be the company you call later than the one that sold you something you didn’t need.