Penguin™ City Water Options
Upgrade your city water for comfort, protection, and taste. Then choose the right Penguin system for soft water, chlorine/chloramine control, and great-tasting drinking water. Finally, we install everything professionally so you can enjoy the results right away.
Core Options
Penguin Salt-Based Softener
- Ion-exchange removes hardness (calcium & magnesium), so water feels silky and fixtures stay spot-free.
- Because it regenerates on demand, it uses less salt and water.
- As a result, plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry last longer.
Whole-Home Carbon Filtration
- This self-cleaning carbon filter cuts chlorine/chloramine taste and odor, so water smells and tastes better.
- It also helps protect rubber gaskets and fixtures.
- For the best outcome, place it before a softener.
Penguin Salt-Free Conditioner
- Helps keep scale from sticking to fixtures and heating parts; no salt is added.
- Also great if you want low upkeep.
- However, it does not remove hardness minerals like a softener.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Tap
- Under-sink RO gives clean, fresh water at the kitchen sink.
- It reduces dissolved solids and many metals; therefore, coffee and tea taste better.
- It also pairs well with a softener and carbon for whole-home comfort.
City water is treated to be safe; however, hardness and disinfectants still affect comfort, taste, and equipment life. So we test hardness and check chlorine or chloramine levels, and then we recommend the right setup for your home.
Compare Penguin City Water Options
| System | Best For | What It Addresses | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt-Based Softener | Hard water scale and spots | Removes calcium & magnesium (hardness) | Add salt, then do a quick annual checkup |
| Whole-Home Carbon | Chlorine/chloramine tastes & odors | Reduces disinfectants and many organics | Automatic backwash; media typically 5–7 years* |
| Salt-Free Conditioner | Lower-touch scale control | Helps reduce scale sticking (does not soften) | Low upkeep; media life varies by use |
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | Great-tasting drinking water | Reduces TDS and many contaminants at the tap | Replace cartridges yearly; change membrane as needed |
*Exact intervals depend on your use, water chemistry, and sizing. To make things easy, we include a simple maintenance plan with every install.
Advanced City Water Options
Catalytic Carbon + KDF Upgrade
- Targets chloramine and chlorine more effectively than standard carbon.
- Meanwhile, KDF helps protect the carbon and further improves taste and odor.
- For whole-home results, place it before a softener.
POE PFAS/Lead Reduction
- Whole-home (point-of-entry) cartridges that help reduce PFOA/PFOS and lead.*
- They are useful for older plumbing or for added peace of mind.
- They also work alongside carbon and softening.
*Third-party certified choices are available. We select a model based on your goals and local water report.
RO + Remineralization
- Reverse osmosis with a polishing stage and optional remineralization for balanced taste.
- Includes a dedicated faucet and an optional fridge/ice kit.
- It pairs nicely with whole-home carbon and softening.
Protection Pack
- Scale-control pre-treatment for tankless water heaters, so heat exchangers stay cleaner.
- Also includes a sediment prefilter, outdoor spigot bypasses, and pressure reliefs.
- Optionally add a leak sensor/shutoff for extra peace of mind.
Optional UV Add-On
- Provides an extra microbiological barrier for households who want it.
- City water is already disinfected; however, UV adds one more layer.
- Annual lamp change; no chemicals are added.
Drinking Water Options
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis
- Multi-stage filtration gives purified water right at the kitchen sink.
- For faster refills, choose the high-capacity tank.
- Great for cooking, coffee/tea, and baby formula.
RO + Remineralization
- This final stage smooths taste after RO, and it helps steady pH.
- It can also protect fixtures and lines.
Fridge / Ice Maker Kit
- Send RO water to your refrigerator for clear, great-tasting ice.
- Includes a dedicated shutoff and clean tubing for a tidy install.
Designer RO Faucets
- Pick a finish that matches your kitchen (matte black, stainless, chrome, and more).
- Choose air-gap or non-air-gap based on your setup.
UV at the Faucet (Optional)
- A compact ultraviolet module adds another layer of protection.
- It uses no chemicals; simply change the lamp each year.
Maintenance at a Glance
- Sediment & carbon prefilters: every 6–12 months.
- RO membrane: several years (depends on water and use).
- Post-filter & remineralization: about 12 months.
FAQ
Is disinfection needed on city water?
Usually no, since utilities already disinfect. Even so, some homeowners add UV or point-of-use options for extra peace of mind. We can guide you either way.
Where do the systems go?
Most layouts run main line → sediment → carbon → softener → (optional) RO at the kitchen sink. First we confirm piping and space during a site visit, and then we set a clean plan.
Will sodium increase in my water?
Softening swaps hardness minerals for sodium or potassium. For most homes, the added amount is low. If you like, choose potassium chloride and add RO for drinking.
What about warranty and service?
We register the equipment and review programming at startup. After that, a quick annual check keeps things dialed in. We can also deliver salt and change filters for you.
We serve homes on city water across Chicagoland and nearby communities. Because we schedule flexibly and install cleanly, follow-ups stay simple.