Hard water, or water with a high accumulation of dissolved minerals, affects eighty-five percent of the United States. Usually the result of high levels of calcium and magnesium, hard water damages plumbing, eats away at clothing, and even causes health problems.
The One-Time Ocean
Hard water is a problem across the contiguous United States, but some areas, particularly the Midwest states, have exceptionally high mineral levels in their water supply. The culprit is an ocean that no longer exists.
At one time in the distant past most of the United States was submerged under a shallow sea. When the water receded, it left high concentrations of limestone across the continent, which dissolves into groundwater, producing hard water. refrigerator filter 1
Who’s Got It Worst?
Six major municipal centers have the dubious honor of the hardest water in the United States. they include:
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Phoenix, Arizona
- San Antonio, Texas
- Tampa, Florida
- Signs of Hard Water?
Hard water can be a costly house guest, damaging plumbing, appliances, and clothing alike. Possible signs you’ve got a hard water problem include:
Chalky residue on dishes or in dishwasher
Clogged plumbing due to mineral accumulation
Linen and clothing feel rough and look dull
Scaly build up on faucets
Soap doesn’t lather well or rinse away properly
Spots on glassware
Ugly brown stains under faucets.
As minerals build up in water appliances, the machines have to work harder to operate, raising your utility bills and shortening appliance lifespans. Clothes and linens wear out faster, requiring more frequent replacements, while stains and scale buildup on faucets, sinks, and baths looks unsightly and takes real effort to remove.
Health and Hard Water
Generally speaking, hard water is considered harmless, if annoying. As far as the general population is concerned, dry skin and flat, lifeless hair are the main physical effects of bathing with hard water. everydrop filter 1 alternative
For people with existing skin conditions, however, hard water can aggravate symptoms. In addition, not everyone believes hard water is completely harmless, although no definitive research links hard water to serious health conditions.
Salt-Free Water Softeners: The Ideal Solution
Traditionally, hard water has been “softened” by salt-based ion exchanging systems, installed at the water’s point of entry into the home. By exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions, such systems remove heavy minerals, resulting in softer water that’s gentler on your clothes, skin, hair, and appliances. p8wb2l
Salt-based water softeners have some problems however:
- A gallon of briny wastewater is produced for every gallon of softened water.
- Adding sodium may adversely affect people on low-sodium diets.
- System requires electricity to operate.
- System requires regular and expensive “recharging.”
- Water often has a “slimy” feel.
