Water hardness is a measure of the concentration of calcium and magnesium salts that are picked up as water moves through soil and rock. Hard water is safe to drink. In fact, medical research indicates that hard water contributes a small amount towards calcium and magnesium human dietary needs and may have a beneficial effect on health, particularly some types of cardiovascular diseases.
Natural water sources contain two types of solids – suspended and dissolved:
Suspended solids, like sand or silt, can be removed from water by leaving it to settle for a period of time. But as settling is not always practical, most suspended solids are removed by some type of filtration.
Dissolved solids like calcium and magnesium are common in many supplies across the State and make the water ‘hard’.
These natural minerals are dissolved as water moves through soil and rock and cannot be removed by filtration. The degree of hardness becomes greater as calcium and magnesium content increases. Hard water reacts chemically with soap and the higher the hardness, the more soap is required to form a lather. Hard water may also leave spots on drinking glasses, shower screens or garden plants because the minerals remain after the water has evaporated.
Water with a total hardness above 200 milligrams per litre may also have a scaling effect on hot water systems, pipes, fittings and domestic appliances such as kettles, with the natural salts being converted to white crystals. In some Pilbara Iron towns, water hardness can reach up to 1000 milligrams per litre.
How can I treat the effects of hard water?
A handy hint to avoid spots caused by hard water is to use liquid soaps and dry wet surfaces immediately after water use. Special cleaning products like CLR bathroom and kitchen cleaner deodoriser and Lemon Jif are also available to remove calcium and lime deposits, scale and discolouration from bench tops, appliances, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, tiles and glass. But users should take care to follow manufacturers’ instructions.
People with hard water problems should regularly release hot water system pressure valves for a few seconds each month to prevent scale build-up in the system. To clean kettles simply insert a slice of lemon and fill with water, then bring to boil and refill before use. Bicarbonate soda and vinegar-based cleaning products are also effective for cleaning domestic appliances.
For more information visit the Water Corporation of Western Australia website.
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