The Impact Of Hard Water From Your Domestic Supply
Hard water is a term which refers to water with a high dissolved mineral content. Calcium and magnesium are the two most important minerals to consider. Hard water is not a problem for health – but it can cause mineral deposits to build up in water pipes, heating systems, kettles and other domestic appliances. When using soap or detergent products it has poorer performance when compared to soft water – it produces less lather.
During the course of the natural filtration through soil and rock, water dissolves small quantities of minerals which are then held in suspension in the water. As the amount of magnesium and calcium in the solution increases, the level of hardness of the water rises.
To complicate matters further, there are two different types of water hardness – temporary hardness and permanent hardness. Both types are caused by minerals in the water.
Permanent hardness is usually caused by calcium and magnesium sulphates and/or chlorides in the water. It cannot be removed by boiling but, somewhat confusingly, despite its name it can be removed. This is usually done by the use of an ion exchange column – a water softener – which swaps magnesium and calcium ions with sodium ions.
Temporary hardness can be removed either by boiling the water or by the addition of lime. It is caused by a combination of calcium and bicarbonate ions in the water. Boiling the water causes the bicarbonate to form carbonates and removes calcium carbonate from the solution leaving water which is softer upon cooling.
Scaling, often referred to as limescale, is the result of residual mineral deposits which are left after the hard water has evaporated. This can fur up pipe, leave chalky deposits in kettles and considerably reduce both the effectiveness and life span of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.
If you want to reduce the effects of hard water in your home there are a number of relatively simple steps you can take.
First of all, pick the right soaps and detergents. There are plenty of washing powders and liquid cleaners specifically designed for use in hard water areas. Selecting the correct one will not only get your dishes and clothes cleaner more easily, but will increase the working life of your domestic appliances by lowering the build up of limescale.
Another good tip is to set your water boiler to operate at a lower temperature. The higher the water temperature, the greater the amount of minerals that are released from the water will be. These will be deposited in your pipes, your water tank and will eventually find their way into your various household appliances which are connected to the hot water feed. Operating both your dishwasher and washing machine at lower temperatures will also yield some improvement.
If your main concern is the taste of the water supplied into your house, then filtering the water will usually get rid of enough of the minerals to improve this dramatically. Fit an under sink filter, an on tap filter or, if you only need relatively small quantities of water, use an inexpensive jug type filter.
If you are experiencing problems with hard water think about using a Brita water filter – there is a wide range of different types available. You can even get a Brita kettle if all you want is better tasting hot drinks.