Have you noticed white deposits on your fixtures in the bathroom or spots on your shower door? If you have, it’s hard water. From bathing to energy consumption using appliances, hard water affects everything. In fact, more than 85% of homes in the United States have hard water to some degree.
Hard water is defined as water with high mineral content consisting of calcium and magnesium. It occurs when water percolates through the ground and is in contact with rocks and soil. It doesn’t matter if a private well or a municipality supplies your home’s water. It’s still hard water. Even municipalities, which soften the water, do not soften it to complete soft water. Instead, they usually soften the water to 7-10 grains per gallon, moderately hard water. So how hard is your home’s water?
Water Hardness Scale
| Grains per Gallon | Parts per Million | Classification |
| Less than 1 | Less than 17.1 | Soft |
| 1 – 3.5 | 17.1 – 60 | Slightly Hard |
| 3.5 – 7 | 60 – 120 | Moderately Hard |
| 7 – 10 | 120 – 171 | Hard |
| Over 10 | Over 171 | Very Hard |
Hard water is measured in grains per gallon or parts per million. If you need to convert either number, there are 17.1 parts per million per 1 grain per gallon of hard water.
When a home uses hard water, the effects are many. First, hardness will build in the home’s piping, causing less water flow over time. Second, a water heater will need to heat up more often because the scale will build on the inside of the heater, reducing its capacity. Third, hard water creates a soap scum and buildup in your shower, making it hard to clean. These are a few effects of hard water in your home. For a complete list of hard water effects on the home, click here.
If you want to live with clean, soft water, the only tried and true method of removing hardness from the water is with a water softener. Using soft water will save you money in the long run, and your skin and hair will benefit too.
