Brought to you by McCowin Water | Featuring Matt Mutehart of Morton Salt Inc.
Welcome to The Drop… Where Real Water Science Meets Real Southern California Homes
In this special edition of The Drop, The McCowin Water Team sits down with Matt Mutehart of Morton Salt, one of the oldest and most trusted names in the industry. Together, they unpack the most common misunderstandings about water softeners, explain how the chemistry really works, and offer critical insights every Southern California homeowner needs to protect their water supply, plumbing, appliances… and long-term health.
Myth #1: “My Water Softener Adds Salt to My Drinking Water”
Let’s kill this myth. This is the most persistent misconception homeowners have about water softeners, and it’s completely wrong.
Matt explains:
“People think salt is being put into their drinking water. But the water softener uses salt to regenerate its system, not to flavor your water. You’d taste it if that were the case.”
Here’s the real science:
Water softeners use a process called ion exchange. Your system contains resin beads that attract calcium and magnesium; the hard water minerals. Once those beads are full, a brine solution (made from salt) flushes the minerals away. But that salty brine goes down the drain. It does not end up in your drinking water.
Bottom line: The salt never ends up in the glass. It regenerates the system, not your water.
What Is in Your Water? More Than You Think.
If you’re in Irvine, Orange County, or anywhere in Southern California, your “clear” water might be hiding problems you can’t taste or see.
“Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, iron, and sometimes copper, lead, or even manganese,” says Mutehart.
Over time, these minerals corrode your plumbing, reduce water heater efficiency, stain sinks and clothes, and make soaps and detergents less effective. Hair gets brittle. Showers get crusty. Pipes fill with scale. And worst of all? You often won’t notice until the damage is already done.
What’s the Real Cost of Untreated Water?
You might think water softening is a luxury. But untreated hard water silently racks up real, measurable costs:
- Showerhead scale buildup
- Faded clothing and stained towels
- Water heater inefficiency (heating through scale = higher bills)
- Clogged pipes from calcium deposits
- Premature replacement of appliances
Mutehart explains:
“It’s not just about comfort. It’s about efficiency and protecting what you already own.”
The Hidden Trap: Poorly Optimized Systems
Even if you have a water softener, you might still be wasting money, because most systems aren’t properly calibrated.
Team McCowin asks:
“What’s one question most homeowners forget to ask?”
Matt’s answer?
“Is this unit optimized for your actual water hardness?”
Installers often leave default settings too high for the local water conditions, leading to excessive regeneration cycles. That means you’re burning through salt and wasting water without realizing it. Optimizing your system takes minutes… and saves hundreds.
“What’s the Difference Between Table Salt and Softener Salt?”
Chemically? Nothing. It’s all sodium chloride (NaCl).
Functionally? A lot.
Morton produces multiple grades of salt based on end use:
- Table salt: small, granular, food-grade crystals
- Softener salt: larger pellets or solar crystals, often with iron-fighting additives
“It’s not about what it is, it’s how it’s processed,” Mutehart explains.
“Softener salt is designed for clean, efficient brine production. Table salt isn’t.”
How Water Softeners Really Work (The Actual Chemistry)
Let’s walk through it, step-by-step.
- Water flows into a tank filled with resin beads that are negatively charged.
- Positively charged ions; like calcium, magnesium, and iron; stick to the resin.
- Sodium ions (from the salt) knock the hardness ions off the resin.
- The hardness ions are flushed away, and soft water flows into your home.
Why this matters:
Sodium doesn’t cause scale. So when calcium and magnesium are removed, your appliances, pipes, and even your skin are protected.
What Water Professionals Know That You Don’t
“Water quality changes dramatically depending on where you live,” says Mutehart.
- In the Great Lakes, water hardness may be 8- 9 grains per gallon.
- In Southern California, it’s often 20 – 30 grains.
- Add iron, copper, or manganese to the mix? You need targeted treatment.
If you don’t know your local hardness or contaminant levels, you’re guessing with your water… and your home.
Why Softening Alone Isn’t Always Enough
If your concern is metals, water softening handles that.
But if your concern is organic contaminants like PFAS (“forever chemicals”), you’ll need reverse osmosis (RO).
“RO systems are essential for removing things like PFAs and other organics. You can, and should, combine RO with softening if you want full-spectrum protection,” Mutehart explains.
The Recommended Setup for Most Homes
- Whole-home softener to protect pipes, skin, and appliances
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking
- Water test every 12 months to monitor shifts in quality
If You’re a New Homeowner… Read This First
“The first thing I tell new homeowners is: Get your water tested.”
Don’t buy a system because of a marketing gimmick. Don’t guess based on taste or clarity. Water that looks and smells fine can still be loaded with contaminants.
“Once you know your water’s chemistry, you’ll know exactly what kind of protection you need… and what you don’t.”
Why McCowin Water Recommends Morton Salt
At McCowin Water, we work with brands that meet our Southern California durability standards. Morton’s water softener salt is:
- Lab-tested
- Consistent in regeneration
- Compatible with all major systems
- Free of clumping agents that damage brine tanks
We’ve seen homes in Irvine, Tustin, Orange, and Newport Beach go from scale-ridden disaster zones to smooth, energy-efficient systems; all with proper installation, testing, and reliable salt.
Final Word: It’s Not Just “Soft Water”… It’s Smart Infrastructure
Softening isn’t about luxury. It’s about long-term value protection, health assurance, and system optimization.
When you understand the chemistry of your water, you’re no longer reacting to symptoms… you’re preventing damage.
TAKE ACTION
- Call us at (949) 569-5736 or schedule your free water test today
- Get your softener optimized, if you already have one
- If not, ask us about Our RO + Softening Combo Packages
- Shop Morton Salt for Guaranteed Compatibility
