It’s all about the source. Seattle gets its water from the Cedar and Tolt River watersheds. These are protected, forested areas with very little mineral content in the soil.
Rain and snowmelt flow right over granite and ancient forests. They don’t pick up much calcium or magnesium. That’s the stuff that makes water “hard.”
So, your water is basically rain that took a scenic detour through a national park. Fancy, right?
The soggy truth about your soap
With soft water, you’ll use way less soap. Your shampoo will suds up like crazy. You might feel like you’re not getting all the soap off—that slippery feeling is actually your skin’s natural oils being protected.
Don’t fight it. That’s a good thing. Hard water leaves a filmy residue that sticks to you. Soft water just… washes away.
Also, your dishes will sparkle without spots. Who knew a lack of minerals could feel so luxurious?
The ugly side of soft water
Okay, it’s not all rainbows. Soft water can be a bit acidy. We’re talking a pH around 6.5 to 7.0. That’s slightly lower than neutral.
Seattle Tap Water Quality
What does that mean for you? It can leach copper from old pipes. If you have a house built before the 1980s, you might get a metallic taste.
Don’t panic. The city adds a bit of orthophosphate to coat the pipes. But it’s something to keep in mind if you notice a tarnished sink.
