Litchfield Park's water and sewer come from Liberty Utilities, whose groundwater reports hardness of 150 to 360 ppm, about 8.8 to 21.1 grains per gallon. That's a wide range, and at the upper end a softener is close to essential for protecting fixtures and water heaters. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Litchfield Park.
Local conditions first
Litchfield Park grew out of Goodyear Tire and Rubber's Litchfield Ranch and is centered on the Wigwam Resort. The city runs neither water nor sewer: Liberty Utilities, through Liberty Litchfield Park, provides both, and also serves parts of Goodyear, Glendale and Avondale. Liberty's water is groundwater from the Western Valley Salt River aquifer, drawn from about 200 to 600 feet down, disinfected with chlorine. Arsenic removal treatment may apply before the water reaches homes. Liberty also states it hasn't detected lead in its treated or source water.
Liberty's report lists hardness of 150 to 360 ppm as calcium carbonate, or 8.8 to 21.1 grains per gallon. That spread is the reason to test before you buy.
Options compared
| Option | Best when | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Single-tank salt softener | Typical household, tap test in the mid range | No soft water during regeneration |
| Twin-tank softener | High hardness or large household | Larger and costs more |
| Salt-free conditioner | No drain nearby | Doesn't stop spotting at this hardness |
| Softener plus kitchen RO | You want lower-mineral drinking water | Two systems to maintain |
Signs of hard water at work
- Thick white scale on showerheads and tub spouts
- Water heaters that lose capacity or start popping
- Faucet handles that get stiff
- Spotting on outdoor windows from sprinklers
Timing notes
Garage installs face extreme summer heat, so keep the control valve shaded and away from the water heater. If you leave for part of the year, use a metered valve or set the unit to bypass. Hose bibs and irrigation are usually left on unsoftened water to save salt. Permits for plumbing changes go through the City of Litchfield Park Building Safety Department on Wigwam Boulevard. If you're replacing an aging unit, ask the plumber to reprogram the new one to a fresh tap test rather than copying the old setting, since a number chosen years ago may no longer match your water. Liberty sewer service means the brine line simply goes to a household drain with an air gap.
When you call, mention the size of the household, whether a loop exists near the water heater and whether you want a drinking water system too. Homes testing toward 20 grains and above often do better with a larger resin tank or a twin-tank valve, and the plumber can explain the trade-off in salt use.
Water Softeners & Filtration questions in Litchfield Park
What hardness number should the softener be programmed with?
Will a softener take arsenic or other contaminants out?
Is a reverse osmosis faucet worth adding with a softener?
What happens to a softener when the house sits empty for months?
More plumbing services in Litchfield Park
Water Softeners & Filtration nearby
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