What is water hardness and why is it important?
The main issue associated with water hardness in residential use is the potential for precipitates to form, in particular when heated, in a water heater for instance. The phrase “temporary hardness” is sometimes used to describe this effect of calcium and magnesium salts precipitating out when heated.
Does hard water cause corrosion?
Excessively hard water can also have corrosion tendencies. However, soft water that is not stabilized has a greater tendency to cause corrosion of metal surfaces and pipes, which also introduces metals such as copper, lead, zinc and cadmium into drinking water.
What is the relationship between dissolved particles and water hardness?
In general, the more dissolved particles in the water, the higher its hardness level. Leading organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the US Geological Survey, simplify our understanding of water hardness as the amount of calcium and magnesium carbonates dissolved in the water.
Is the hardness of water regulated by the EPA?
As to EPA regulations on hardness, it is not directly regulated, but can be indirectly regulated by standards for total dissolved solids in the Secondary Drinking Water Standards.
What factors contribute to water hardness?
Measures of water hardness Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other metals.
How does hardness affect water treatment?
Hardness affects the amount of soap that is needed to produce foam or lather. Hard water requires more soap, because the calcium and magnesium ions form complexes with soap, preventing the soap from sudsing. Hard water can also leave a film on hair, fabrics, and glassware.
What does hardness depend on?
Hardness is dependent on ductility, elastic stiffness, plasticity, strain, strength, toughness, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. Common examples of hard matter are ceramics, concrete, certain metals, and super hard materials, which can be contrasted with soft matter.
Which salts are responsible for hardness of water?
hard water, water that contains salts of calcium and magnesium principally as bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates.
Some Simple Chemistry
When ionic substances dissolve in water they are split into their constituent ions. For example when NaCl (sodium chloride, common salt) dissolves in water it produces Na + (the positive or cation) and Cl – (the negative or anion).
The Causes Of Hardness
Most hardness in water is caused by the presence of dissolved calcium (Ca 2+) and magnesium (Mg 2+) ions. Other cations, such as Al 3+ and Fe 3+ can contribute to hardness, however their presence is less critical.
Problems Caused By Hardness
Excessive soap is needed for washing (i.e. soap will not lather). Some modern detergents work less efficiently because anions (also known as surfactants) which are meant to hold dirt particles in suspension react with Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ instead [ 2].
Electric And Magnetic Anti-scaling Devices
Using electrical and magnetic fields to prevent scaling is a very contentious issue. There is no consistent data to prove how such methods work or indeed if they work at all. However, they do seem to work to some degree under certain circumstances [ 7] [ 8] [ 9].
Over Softening
The over softening of water can have an adverse effect on the corrosion rate of cast iron and galvanised steel pipes. Very soft water can also hasten the decay of concrete tanks [ 2].
Scale Buildup
The most obvious effect of hard water is scale buildup. You’ll notice limescale deposits on your showerhead, coffeepot, dishwasher and faucets. These deposits are usually milky white in color and almost rough to touch. They’re also very difficult to clean.
Dry Skin and Hair
Hard water contains high levels of magnesium and calcium. The minerals from the water can build up in your hair and skin in the same way that they can build up on your water fixtures. You’ll need to use more soap and shampoo to lather with hard water, and soap scum could cause dry skin and brittle hair.
Faded, Scratchy Clothes
Hard water strips dyes and colors from clothes at a much faster rate than soft water. If you’ve noticed that your brightly colored clothes have faded after just a few cycles in the washing machine, you’re probably dealing with hard water. The minerals in hard water can also cause your clothes and bedsheets to feel scratchy.
Increased Cleaning Requirements
Cleaning your bathroom is a bigger chore when you’re dealing with hard water mineral deposits. Soap scum can build up on your sinks, bathtubs, toilets, faucets and showerheads. The longer you leave it, the worse the scale build-up, and the more difficult it is to clean it off.
Plumbing Repairs
There’s no easy way for you to clean scale build-up inside your pipes and plumbing. Over time, an accumulation of dissolved minerals in your plumbing can result in the need for repairs or replacements to sections of your piping. Hard water can slow down water flow and even cause corrosion, leaks and cracks in your pipes.
Unsightly Dishware
Calcium and magnesium deposits can show up as white spots on your glasses and dishware. This spotting can make your dishware look dirty, and can be very difficult to remove. Even slightly hard water can cause white spots on your dishware.
Reduced Water Pressure
Hard water can cause a pressure drop in your whole house. If you’ve noticed that your showers aren’t as powerful as before, or you’re unable to properly run multiple appliances at once, you may be dealing with a limescale issue. Hardness deposits slow down the flow of water in your pipes and plumbing.
How much calcium can a salt water softener remove?
The majority of salt-water softener systems can remove more than 5-75+ GPG/PPM (grains per gallon/ parts per million) of hard water ions from your water supply.
How does ion exchange affect water quality?
However, this technique affects water quality, as the healthy minerals are removed from water, which alters water’s taste.
What minerals stick to surfaces?
The calcium and magnesium minerals stick to surfaces, forming limescale – crusty, yellowy-white deposits that are difficult to clean and reduce water flow in your pipes, fixtures and plumbing system. The result of limescale is inefficient appliances in your household, limited water flow from your showerhead and taps, dry hair and skin, ...
What is the purpose of chelating?
Chelation is the use of a chelant – a molecule that binds to calcium molecules and prevents them from forming sticky deposits – to treat a water supply. Chelating agents also prevent iron, magnesium and manganese from binding and forming deposits, so it can treat multiple issues in one.
Is a water softener expensive?
While offering one of the best hard water treatment solutions, water softener systems are quite expensive and require a fairly invasi ve install, which you may need to pay extra for a plumber to handle.
Does water have calcium in it?
When water comes into contact with limestone rocks and earth containing other calcium compounds, calcium leeches into the water. Water then undergoes municipal treatment, where some, but not all, calcium may be removed. As it’s seen as a harmless mineral, there’s no need for treatment facilities to worry about filtering calcium out ...
Does calcium carbonate harden water?
Calcium carbonate contributes to hardness, and more and more Americans are becoming tired of their home’s hard water issues and are finding ways to eliminate the problem entirely. If you’re considering ways to remove calcium from water, this guide will share everything you need to know about the mineral, its effects in your home, ...
Why is my water hard?
Hard water problems are caused by an abundance of minerals in the water. Sometimes boiling can remove the hardness, but some water with a high mineral content—that which is high in calcium and magnesium sulfates—cannot.
What is the best way to treat hard water?
If your home has hard water, the easiest hard water treatment solution is a water softener. With a water softener system, hard water passes through the filter which contains negatively charged resin beads that attract and filter out high levels of minerals from the water, specifically calcium and magnesium. Then, the newly softened water goes ...
What causes water to scale?
Precipitation of minerals that form rock-hard deposits also known as limescale causes scaling on pipes, drains, and faucets. Hard water deposits can be found in plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, wasting energy and causing early failure of all water-using appliances.
How to get rid of hard water stains?
How to Remove Hard Water Stains. In an empty spray bottle mix 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar. Spray the mixture on your hard water stains, and let it sit for 5-15 minutes. Use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub away the stain. Wipe the surface clean with a wet towel.
Does fresh water have magnesium?
Therefore, all freshwater sources likely contain varying quantities of calcium and magnesium. Depending on your water supply’s geographical location, your water may also contain elevated levels of aluminum and manganese.
Does hard water fade clothes?
Clothes that are frequently washed in hard water will fade faster than clothes washed in softer water. Many notice a lack of suds in their soap, requiring more detergent or soap for laundry, dishwashers, shampooing, and bathing.
What makes water hard?
The water that comes out from our faucets contains molecules other than H2O. It also contains dissolved minerals, such as magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sulfate, and chloride. These dissolved minerals are what make water hard, depending on their concentration. In general, the more dissolved particles in the water, ...
What is the hardness of water for a water softener?
You must know that most water treatment companies recommend a water softener for water hardness levels exceeding 15 GPG or over 300 PPM. This figure allows you to benefit from the dissolved minerals in your drinking water without harming your water fixtures and appliances.
What is the best water softener for a home?
Some homeowners are fine with a water hardness level of 10 GPG, while others may want a lower rating of 7 GPG. As such, the decision to buy a water softener depends on what water hardness level you consider ideal for your needs. You must know that most water treatment companies recommend a water softener for water hardness levels exceeding 15 GPG ...
What is soft water?
The organization defines soft water as water that contains less than a grain of calcium carbonate or any other hardness mineral per gallon of water.
How much calcium carbonate is in water?
Soft water – Less than 75 mg of calcium carbonate per liter of water (PPM) or less than 4.37 GPG. Moderately hard water – 75 to 150 mg/L (PPM) or 4.37 to 8.75 GPG. Hard water – 150 to 300 mg/L (PPM) or 8.75 to 17.5 GPG. Very hard water – More than 300 mg/L (PPM) or 17.5 GPG.
What is the best water quality?
On the other hand, the US Geological Survey classifies hard water as follows: 1 Soft water – Less than 60 mg/L (PPM) or 3.5 GPG 2 Moderately hard water – 61 to 120 mg/L (PPM) or 3.56 to 7 GPG 3 Hard water – 121 to 180 mg/L (PPM) or 7.06 to 10.5 GPG 4 Very hard water – More than 180 mg/L (PPM) or 10.56 GPG or more
What minerals can clump together to form scales?
Magnesium, calcium, and other dissolved minerals can clump together, forming scales on surfaces of water pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Limescale can reduce water flow and affect the performance of water appliances, such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Hardness In Drinking Water
Hardness refers to the metal ions, typically calcium and magnesium, that are dissolved in the water. Other ions that contribute to hardness include aluminum, barium, iron, manganese, and zinc. Hardness is typically described as milligrams of calcium carbonate equivalent per liter.
Solutions to your water treatment needs
Whether you want a new water treatment system installed, need your current one inspected and repaired, or just want a free quote, contact the WETS LLC. With years of experience in the industry, our skilled team members are trained and knowledgeable with a variety of leading water equipment and products.
What causes water to pick up hardness?
The water which has fallen on the ground through rain or percolated through the ground from a river, lake or other source dissolves limestone in the ground and hence picks up hardness. Many lime deposits contain magnesium carbonate as well and these cause the water to contain magnesium.
Why do some waters have hardness while others do not?
Why do some waters have hardness while others do not? The answer can be found in the hydrologic cycle Put simply, ground water (or well water) has percolated through the ground and many times that ground has limestone (which is calcium carbonate) in it. The water which has fallen on the ground through rain or percolated through the ground from a river, lake or other source dissolves limestone in the ground and hence picks up hardness. Many lime deposits contain magnesium carbonate as well and these cause the water to contain magnesium.
What is a water softener?
Water softeners are used in domestic and some commercial applications and they are very effective, capable of removing all of the hardness if they are maintain properly. Softeners use the method of ion exchange to remove hardness. They use a resin (small beads which form beds when they are applied to a columnar shaped tank).
Why is rain water acidic?
Rain can become acidic by absorbing CO2 and some acidic pollutants from the atmosphere. When this water percolates through soil it is the acidity which causes ...
What happens when you wash clothes in hard water?
Water hardness is a property which all of us know the effects of. It wastes soap and synthetic detergents by binding with them to form soap curd. This will dull the colors of clothes washed in hard water. It leaves unsightly soap scum on the bath tub. It streaks glassware and dishes. It causes scale to build up in any appliances or pipes which use water.
What causes limestone to dissolve?
When this water percolates through soil it is the acidity which causes the limestone to dissolve. In addition to picking up material from the atmosphere, rain water runs across land and picks many things including clay, silt, and decayed plant and animal matter.
Can you remove calcium hardness from water plants?
The most common method for treating large amounts of water for hardness is lime softening. It seems impossible to remove calcium hardness by adding lime which is calcium hydroxide. The key is in the pH rise caused by lime.
