Do you know why they call it hard water? The term “hard water” came from the difficulties that came when trying to wash and clean with it! Soap doesn’t suds up like it should, it causes your clothes to wear faster, and can even dull your hair! Hard water is the cause of those white stains on dishes and shower doors…the ones that are so hard to keep clean.
So what is in hard water that makes it problematic, and how did these problematic minerals get into the water in the first place? Keep reading to find out!
What Is Hard Water?
Again, the term hard water is simply due to the issues the water causes, making people work harder to clean their dishes, clothes and bodies!
Hard water is defined as water that has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. Aluminum, zinc, iron, barium, strontium, and manganese can also be found in hard water.
Water Hardness Scale
Water in your city is determined by how soft or hard it is. Depending on where you live and where your water is sourced from will depend on what kind of water you have.
To determine water hardness you take a look at the minerals found in the water. It goes off of a calculation measured using grains per gallon (gpg). A grain is equal to 0.002 ounces of calcium dissolved in one gallon of water. If you have a large amount of grains (minerals like calcium and magnesium) you are considered to have hard water.
The measurements are as follows:
- 0-3 gpg is considered soft water
- 3.5-7 is considered moderately hard
- 7.5 and greater is considered very hard and a water softener is recommended
Unfortunately, for us Texans we have the 6th hardest water rating in the U.S. and in Fort Worth are water hardness averages 8.2. This is considered moderately hard. Other places like Brownsville, Cedar Park and Galveston are above 10 and Midland is at a startling 19!
Luckily, water softeners exist and we discuss how ion exchange works inside of water softeners in our previous blog.
Where Does Hard Water Come From?
To understand where hard water in your area comes from you have to go directly to the source.
Water gains its hardness when it passes through areas that contain calcium and magnesium. So when groundwater moves through areas of limestone, dolomite, chalk, or gypsum which are mainly made up of calcium and magnesium, the water will absorb those minerals.
For example, the water supplied to the city of Dallas and surrounding areas is sourced from multiple reservoirs that are high in mineral content which then leads to a higher water hardness rating.
Say Goodbye To Hard Water With EcoWater Texas
Hard water can be detrimental to your home and body, which is why a water softening system paired with a water filtration system is essential for Texas homes!
Let us help you find the best system for your needs by scheduling a consultation! Contact us today to get one step closer to high quality water right at your fingertips!
