Well Water Hardness Levels

The term hardness was originally applied to waters that were hard to wash in referring to the soap wasting properties of hard water.

Well water hardness levels.

Also many companies that sell water treatment equipment offer hardness tests. Extremely hard water is anything over 15 gpg. Besides hardness high iron levels in water is the most common problem well owners deal with. How can i test the levels of hardness in my well water.

The hardness of water is determined primarily by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains. Considered very hard water at 11 15 gpg exhibits all the signs of hard water all the time. If you have a private water supply you can have the water tested for hardness. Hard water or water hardness is a common quality of water which contains dissolved compounds of calcium and magnesium and sometimes other divalent and trivalent metallic elements.

Some filters like water softeners are ideal for removing mild traces of iron while others like reverse osmosis filters are better at removing many minerals and harmful substances. Higher levels of these and other minerals make water hard. Most water testing laboratories offer hardness tests for a fee. Glasses are extra spotty skin feels super squeaky and soap scum is at its most stubborn.

Water systems using groundwater as a source are concerned with water hardness since as water moves through soil and rock it dissolves small amounts of naturally occurring minerals and carries them into the groundwater supply water is a great solvent for calcium and magnesium so if the minerals are present in the soil around a water supply well hard water may be delivered to homes. And if you re on well water you may also be seeing other problem water signs such as iron stains. Gas water heaters used 29 less energy to heat water and electric water heaters used 21 less energy when operated on softened water according to a study done by new mexico state university. With the right water filter however you can remove iron from your well water quickly and easily.

Water hardness map of the united states water hardness table of classifications and links to more information about water softening and effects. Other studies have shown weak correlations between cardiovascular health and water hardness. Recommendations have been made for the maximum and minimum levels of calcium 40 80 ppm and magnesium 20 30 ppm in drinking water and a total hardness expressed as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations of 2 4 mmol l. Water softening systems work by.