What is hard water?
Hard water is caused by excessive levels of calcium and/or magnesium
dissolved in water. The U S Department of Interior classifies hardness
based on the concentration of calcium and/or magnesium as measured in
grains per gallon (gpg). To put this in perspective, a typical aspirin
weighs about 5 grains (1 grain = 1/7000 pound). If the aspirin were
dissolved in a gallon of water it would add 5 grains of aspirin to the
water.
The government classifies water as follows:
- Soft - less than 1 gpg of calcium and/or magnesium
- Slightly Hard - 1-3.5 gpg
- Moderately Hard - 3.5-7.0 gpg
- Hard - 7.0-10.5 gpg
- Very Hard - greater than 10.5 gpg
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Why is hard water a problem?
Calcium and magnesium are the primary hard water minerals. Hard water
reduces the ability of soaps to clean and produce suds, leaving a dingy
gray residue on clothes, and spots on dishes.
Hard water is more abrasive than soft water. The tiny mineral
particles combine with soap curd or detergents to become like little
pieces of rock pounding away at clothing fibers and fragile glassware.
Over a period of time, the structural integrity of the product is
weakened. This means glasses become etched and the life of clothing is
reduced.
Skin and hair are affected by hard water. A greater amount of shampoo
and soap is needed to clean, and hard water doesn't rinse as well as
soft water. That means soap residues remain, leaving skin susceptible to
blemishes and hair less shiny.
Hard water is also tough on plumbing. It can cause scale to build on
water heaters and pipes, limiting the water flow, reducing the life of
the product and increasing operating costs and maintenance on
water-using appliances.
Studies have shown that soft water saves time and money in the home.
- Soft water activates detergent or soap to make a smaller amount of
soap work more effectively.
- An Ohio State University study found that softened water cuts the
time required for housecleaning from almost 4 hours to less than 2 ½
hours.
- A 1981 study conducted by New Mexico State University determined
that scale build-up due to hard water can reduce a gas water heater's
efficiency by as much as 29%, and an electric water heater's
efficiency by as much as 21%
- A study conducted by The Office of Saline Water, U S Department of
the Interior, found that a water heater's useful life can be reduced
by as much as 50% through scale build-up.
- Sheets washed in soft water last a lot longer than those washed in
hard water. Sheets washed in soft water can take 32% more washings.
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How is water softened?
Water is conditioned by the use of a water conditioner. The hard
water is passed through a tank containing resin beads coated with sodium
ions or potassium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for
the sodium ions, thus conditioning the water. When the beads have
trapped all the hardness they can hold, the unit is regenerated with
salt brine to replace the hardness ions with sodium ions. The unit is
then ready to condition water again.
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How do I know if I have iron in my water?
Rust-colored stains on sinks, clothing and linens indicate the
presence of iron in the water. Iron can also form scale in pipes and
water-using appliances, and make food, water and water-using beverages
look and smell bad.
Iron is measured in parts per million (ppm). The Safe Drinking Water
Act of 1974 provided a recommended Secondary Drinking Water Regulation
which suggests limits of 0.3 ppm of iron.
Even in concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm, iron can leave stains on
sinks, dishes and cooking utensils, and give the water an unpleasant
metallic taste. Iron affects both the color and the flavor of foods, and
reacts with the tannins present in coffee, tea and some alcoholic
beverages to produce a black sludge which affects both taste and
appearance. An early form of ink was made in a similar manner by mixing
iron salts with tannins.
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How is iron removed from water?
Water readily dissolves iron from the earth's deposits. As the
iron-bearing water enters the house it is usually clear and colorless
but with a distinct iron taste. After exposure to the air, the iron
precipitates and leaves behind the unsightly reddish-brown stains on
sinks, showers, tubs, and clothes.
There are several ways to remove iron from water. The two most common
types of equipment used are water conditioners (ion exchange) and
oxidizing filters. Douglas Water Conditioning normally recommends the
use of a well-designed water conditioner which employs effective
counter-current brining and backwash cycles. For applications requiring
iron removal, homeowners should consult a water conditioning
professional.
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How can I find out what is in my water?
The easiest way to find out what is in your water is to call Douglas
Water Conditioning at 1.800.232.6993 for a free water test. A trained Sales Representative will come to your
home or business and conduct tests for hardness, iron, pH, nitrates, and
total dissolved solids. They might also conduct tests for other
constituents if they have reason to believe they are present. Additional
flow and pressure tests will be performed on the water system to
determine its operational capacity. After the tests are completed the
consultant will explain the results and make recommendations for
treatment if required. The entire procedure takes 30-45 minutes and is
completely free.
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If I need water treatment, is it expensive?
Not necessarily. In many cases water treatment can actually save
money. For example, conditioning water to eliminate hardness can reduce
the cost of soap, lower the cost of heating hot water, increase the
useful life of water-using appliances, and increase the life of clothes
and linens (See FAQ "Why is hard water a problem?"). It might also
eliminate the need to purchase bottled drinking water or the need to
take clothes to the laundromat to avoid the staining caused by irony
water. The investment in water treatment equipment will, of course,
depend on what is in your water. There are many
Payment/Financing Options available, including financing tailored to
fit almost any budget. In addition, there are low-cost alternatives
available such as rental of automatic equipment as well as exchange tank
service. In today's environment water treatment is not a luxury, it is a
necessity that ensures the quality of life to which everyone aspires.
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The authorities say my water is OK. Why do I need water treatment?
Local health and water department authorities only certify that water
is potable. Water is deemed potable, or safe to drink, when and only
when it is free of disease-causing organisms as well as toxic chemical
contaminants. Water that is deemed potable does not necessarily mean
that the water is palatable. To be palatable water must be free of
detectable tastes and odors. It must also be free of turbidity as well
as strong color. Tastes and odors can be traced to one or more of the
following: decaying organic matter; living organisms; iron or manganese;
the metallic products of corrosion, industrial waste pollution, and/or
chlorination; and high mineral concentrations.
Water quality is determined by its use, and there are three types of
water to be considered. The first is called utility water. An example of
utility water would be water used to sprinkle the lawn, fight fires, or
as wash-down water in a food processing plant. Working water is another
type which includes water for bathing and cleaning. Working water
quality needs to be better than utility water since it needs to be free
of contaminants that leave behind hardness deposits, stains, or cause an
odor. The third type is water for drinking. Obviously, drinking water
needs to be of the highest quality to eliminate any contaminants that
cause taste and odor as well as any disease causing organisms.
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Why is it important to consume high quality drinking water?
For years health experts have advised that drinking plenty of water
is necessary for a healthier life. Since 70% of your body is made up of
water and 85% of your brain's gray matter is made up of water, the
statement is true that 'You are what you Drink!' Imagine the benefit to
you and your family if you drink filtered water every day.
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Do water conditioners add sodium to my water?
Yes, although there are other alternatives. When water containing
hardness minerals is passed through a water conditioner, the hardness
minerals are exchanged for sodium. The amount of sodium added is
dependent upon the hardness of the water being conditioned. If you like
sodium free water, we sell potassium chloride as a substitute for salt.
The other option you have available to reduce your sodium intake is to
purchase a drinking water system to remove sodium. Please talk with a
qualified Sales Representative from Douglas Water Conditioning for more
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