The term "water hardness" originally referred to the ability of water to precipitate soap and form soap scum. Soap is precipitated (or brought to the "surface") by water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium. The "harder" the water the less soap will dissolve in the water.
In current practice, total hardness is defined as the sum of the concentration of the calcium and magnesium ions, expressed as calcium carbonate. Hardness can be expressed as calcium carbonate in either parts per million (the same as milligrams per liter) or grains per gallon. Since automatic water softeners are rated in grains of hardness removal, this is the more common measurement used by U.S. consumers. One grain of hardness equals approximately 17.1 ppm of calcium carbonate hardness.
Water hardness minerals are commonly treated with a water softener system that uses an ion-exchange resin and regenerates with salt. For residential and commercial applications these are the most effective as they remove the hardness minerals from water.
Softened water saves money by reducing the amount of detergent required for laundry and bathing, and by lowering the amount of energy required in electric and gas water heaters. Soft water leaves skin and hair softer and eliminates the drying effects of hard water minerals on skin and hair. Soft or conditioned water also stops mineral scales from forming in pipes and extends the life of fixtures, appliances and water heaters.
How Hard is Too Hard?
Natural waters may range from close to zero hardness to many hundreds of parts per million. In our experience, water over 100 or 150 ppm (approximately 8 - 10 grains/gallon) is hard enough to warrant water softening. When the water hardness exceeds 250 - 300 ppm, a water softener becomes somewhat of a necessity, as piping systems, water heaters, fixtures and appliances become scaled up and worn out prematurely. At levels of 100 to 250 ppm (or up to 8 to about 15 grains/ gallon) water softening is an aesthetic improvement, reducing spotting of fixtures and surfaces, and making hair and skin softer.
Most facilities such as commercial launderers, hospitals and hotels use water softening to reduce costs and extend the life of equipment and laundered items. Levels of hardness above 100 to 250 ppm, depending on the water chemistry, makes water softeners economically feasible, saving piping systems, and dramatically extending the life of fixtures, appliances, and water heaters.
Water Softener Alternatives
There are many devices on the market that purport to eliminate the effects of water hardness by the use of electrical fields, magnetism, or catalytic metals. These are sometimes referred to as “no salt water conditioners”, “no salt water softeners”, “salt free water softeners” and “water conditioners”.
All these devices claim to reduce the effects of the hardness minerals and eliminate the effects of scale and build-up in piping and appliances such as water heaters. Many consumers however report little change and the claims of these manufacturers are not independently verified by recognized testing authorities such as National Sanitation Foundation or Underwriters Laboratories.
In some commercial applications, instead of using water softeners and physically removing the calcium and magnesium minerals, phosphate injectors can be used. Polyphosphates and some orthophosphates sequester the hardness minerals, and prevent scale formation on pipe walls and in water heaters. No water hardness is removed, but the piping and appliances are spared the effects of hard water.
Gerry Bulfin is a consultant specializing in water treatment systems. He is a WQA CWS IV licensed water specialist, a WQA licensed installer, and a licensed Grade II California state water treatment plant operator. Since 1989 his company has provided thousands of customized water treatment systems for complicated well water issues worldwide. He may be contacted via the website "http://www.cleanwaterstore.com" or by calling 831-462-8500 or emailing "mailto:gb@cleanwaterstore.com"
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