Why spots still happen on softened water
Lime softening, used at Fort Lauderdale's Fiveash plant through 2025, lowers calcium and magnesium; it does not remove sodium and other dissolved solids. The city's 2025 report lists sodium at 28.2 ppm, for example. When a droplet dries on glass, whatever was dissolved stays behind. Dark tile, frameless glass and chrome show it most.
Read the residue
- Light film that wipes off: normal residue; dry the glass.
- Hard crust on aerators and shower heads: real hardness; test it.
- Scale in kettles and coffee makers: minerals concentrated by heat.
- Spots on windows, cars and pavers outside: usually sprinkler water, often from a well.
Hot, bright bathrooms with glass enclosures make spots more visible, and so does water that sits on a surface for a long time. A bathroom exhaust fan that runs after showers and a quick wipe of the glass often do more for spotting on softened city water than any equipment.
Softener vs. conditioner
| Ion-exchange softener | Salt-free conditioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowers hardness | Yes | No |
| Fewer spots on glass | Yes | Usually not |
| Salt, drain, power | Yes | Usually no |
| Best fit | Confirmed hardness, businesses, wells | Scale reduction where spots are not the concern |
Details: salt-free vs. ion exchange.
Cheaper things to try first
- Squeegee shower glass after each use.
- Use rinse aid in the dishwasher.
- Soak aerators and shower heads in white vinegar.
- Check that sprinklers are not hitting windows.
More in water spots on glass shower doors.
Equipment that shows scale first
Even when glass looks fine, scale can build quietly inside equipment: tank water heaters, coffee makers, espresso machines, humidifiers and ice makers. If you descale those often, mention it at the test. In Wilton Manors homes, frequent descaling on city water is uncommon and worth investigating; at cafes and restaurants it is routine, and that is where an ion-exchange softener usually pays for itself in less maintenance. A quick hardness reading at the visit tells you whether descaling is unusual for your home or simply part of owning that machine.
After the plant change
Fort Lauderdale's Prospect Lake plant, supplying water since September 2026, uses nanofiltration and ion exchange. If spotting changes after the transition, a new hardness test will show by how much. Call, text or WhatsApp Jorge at (305) 793-5974 for a free test; see water softeners in Wilton Manors if hardness is confirmed.
https://www.wiltonmanors.com/DocumentCenter/View/470
https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Residents/City-News/Fort-Lauderdale-Celebrates-Opening-of-Prospect-Lake-Clean-Water-Center
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist