How Can We Remove Both Temporary and Permanent Hardness of Water?

There are a few ways to remove hardness from water, though the most common is through the use of a water softener. This uses ion-exchange to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the water, exchanging them for sodium or potassium ions. This process can be done temporarily, through the use of salt, or permanently, through the use of chelating resins. Water softeners are the most common method of removing hardness, and are typically used in households. Some methods of removing hardness are not as effective as others, and some can even add hardness back into the water. For this reason, it is important to research the different methods and find the one that best suits your needs.

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Water hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and sometimes other divalent cations, that precipitate out of water and form a hard crust on surfaces with which the water comes into contact. The main reason to remove hardness from water is to prevent damage to plumbing and appliances. Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes and on the heating elements of water-using appliances, which can reduce the efficiency of these devices and cause them to fail prematurely. Scale buildup can also lead to clogged pipes. Hard water also causes soap to form insoluble curds that can clog drains and leave residues on laundry and dishes. Skin and hair contact with hard water can cause dryness and irritation. Water softeners remove hardness by exchanging magnesium and calcium ions in the water for sodium or potassium ions. This process is called ion-exchange.

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The United States Geological Survey defines hard water as water that contains dissolved compounds of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron. Ingesting these minerals is not harmful, but they can cause problems with plumbing and household appliances. Water hardness is usually measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Water with more than 10 gpg of hardness is considered hard, while water with more than 180 mg/L is considered very hard.

There are a few ways to tell if your water is hard. One way is to look forscale buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances. Another way is to test the water yourself with a water hardness test kit. These kits are available at most hardware stores.

If your water is hard, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the effects. One is to install a water softener, which will remove the minerals from the water. Another is to use less hot water, as hard water can cause scaling in hot water heaters. Finally, you can be more diligent about cleaning fixtures and appliances that come into contact with hard water.

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