Without using a water softener, your home in Calgary will have hard water. Calgary gets its water supply from the Bow and Elbow Rivers which have a concentration of calcium and magnesium from its source in the Rockies. It’s not necessary to have a water softener, but many Calgarians feel more comfortable washing with soft water, find home cleaning easier with soft water, and recognize the problems that hard water can cause their home plumbing and appliances.