HARD WATER
dEFINITION OF HARD WATER
The simple definition of water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water, Hardwater is high in dissolved minerals, both calcium and magnesium. You may have felt the effects of hard water, literally, the last time you washed your hands. Depending on the hardness of the water, after using soap to wash you may have felt like there was a film of residue left on your hands. In hard water, soap reacts with the calcium (which is relatively high in hard water) to form “soap scum” When using hardwater, more soap or detergent is needed to get things clean, be it your hands, hair or in your laundry.
The downside of Hard Water in the Home
Have you done a load of dishes in the dishwasher, taken out the glasses and noticed spots or film on them? This is more hard water residue – not dangerous, but unsightly. Many industrial and domestic water users are concerned about the hardness of their water, When hard water is heated such as in a home water heater, solid deposits of calcium carbonate can form, This scale can reduce the life of equipment, raise the costs of heating the water, lower the efficiency of electric water heaters, and clog pipes. And, yes, mineral build-up will occur in your home coffee maker too, which is why some people occasionally run vinegar (an acid) through the pot. Further, hard water has been linked to eczema, If you or someone in your family has dry, itchy skin and you live in a hard water area, relief could be as simple as installing a water conditioner.
The upside of Hard water in the home –
It's actually good for you
Hard water can have some benefits, too. Humans need minerals to stay healthy, and the American National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs.