Adding Water Filtration to the Shop – Worth It?

Hey folks,
I’m in the middle of upgrading parts of my workshop and considering installing a small water filtration system for general use mostly for cleanup, occasional hand washing, and protecting my sprayers from mineral buildup. I’m in a hard water area, and over time I’ve noticed buildup on nozzles and valves.
I came across watermart while researching options they seem to have a solid selection of filters and systems for residential and small commercial use. Has anyone here added filtration to their shop plumbing? Did it help with tool longevity or just general cleanliness?
Appreciate any thoughts or recommendations before I start cutting pipes.
Spencer alcott
Replies
plain carbon filters without a softener won't remove the calcium that causes mineral buildup. Softening water just for the shop seems overkill to me.
I agree with Stan, how much water do you plan to use in say a year? I have a well, hard water, put in a softener for general home use. Cold water in kitchen is not soft, don't feel the need to use it there, like the healthy minerals. I do have to clean some residual deposits but they come clean with vinegar or cleaning solvents.
I don't have plumbing in the shop. The garage/shop roof is the sourse filling 6 rain barrels. I often just grab some rainwater for cleanup or grain popping. That being said the filtered water from Lake Michigan will give you 15-20 years on a water heater vs. the 10 max from my well water days.
You might want to look at the newer reverse osmosis filter systems. They advertise being able to remove minerals, they are small relative to water softeners, you don't have to load bags of salt and they're easy to install.
Waterdrop are the ones we use. I can't speak to their ability to remove minerals though since we use them down stream from a whole house water softener.
Not worth it. I'd spend the time and money on other shop upgrades and simple clean the nozzles and valves when needed.
As stated, filtering does not soften water; water softeners do. I have a high calcium water supply. I have a whole house filter system from Halo. It does not soften the water but it does remove lots of bad stuff and I can drink right from the faucet. Calcium build up still occurs but at a lower rate.