Frequently Asked Questions

Diamond Soft is a water softener — it uses salt-based ion exchange to physically remove calcium and magnesium (hardness) from your water. Black Diamond is a carbon filter — it reduces chlorine, chloramine, taste, and odor, but it does not remove hardness. The Diamond combines both jobs in one tank.

Yes — they complement each other. Whole-home systems protect your plumbing and appliances; reverse osmosis delivers the cleanest possible water at the kitchen tap.

Black Diamond filtration needs little more than a periodic media check. Diamond Soft and The Diamond, since they soften with salt-based ion exchange, need standard softener salt added to the brine tank periodically.

It's the five-button metered valve on every Aquonyx system. It tracks your actual water use and regenerates or backwashes on that basis, rather than a fixed timer.

Yes — hard water leaves calcium and magnesium scale inside pipes over time, narrowing the interior diameter and slowly restricting flow. It's one of the most common reasons for chronic low water pressure that turns out to have nothing to do with a leak. A plumber can clear a specific clog, but a water softener treats the actual cause — removing the minerals before they ever reach your plumbing, so scale stops building back up.

Yes. Any city plumbing permit required for your installation is handled and covered by Palmetto Water Systems at no extra cost to you.

Most single-system installs are completed in a single visit. Your rep will confirm timing based on your home's setup during the free water test.

Yes. We size systems differently for Columbia municipal water versus private wells in Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin, since the water chemistry is different in each case.

A Palmetto rep tests your water on the spot, walks you through what's actually in it, and recommends a system sized to your home — no pressure, no obligation.

Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Blythewood, and Northeast Columbia. If you're just outside these areas, reach out and ask.