| The hardness of water is a measure of the minerals, | | | | permanently hard does not mean that it can't be |
| usually calcium and magnesium, dissolved in the water. | | | | softened. The water can be softened by an ion |
| These minerals exist as positively charged ions, or | | | | exchange system. |
| cations. Water picks up these cations from rocks and | | | | An ion exchange system treats water that has a |
| sediment as it travels through the ground. Water | | | | significant amount of hardness. If a sample has two |
| hardness fluctuates by location, because of the | | | | or more grains per gallon of hardness, a water |
| different types of rock and sediment that contain a | | | | softener is recommended. A water softener is also |
| varying amount of minerals. | | | | recommended if the water supply has a large |
| Hard water causes tough-to-remove scummy film on | | | | amount of iron because it will effectively aid an Iron |
| bathtubs and shower doors. This film occurs because | | | | Removal System in filtering out all of the iron. |
| cleaning agents to not fully dissolve in hard water, | | | | Softening systems are also effective for removing |
| and the undissolved cleansers stick to any surface | | | | manganese. |
| they come in contact with. This residue is also the | | | | The ion exchange water softening method is a |
| reason clothes washed in hard water feel stiff, and | | | | two-tank system designed to reduce the grains per |
| your hair will seem dull after washing. The calcium and | | | | gallon of hardness in your water. One tank completes |
| magnesium then build up in pipes, washing machines, | | | | the treatment, while the other tank - a brine tank - |
| dishwashers and other appliances. This build up results | | | | houses salt. Salt is required to regenerate the main |
| in clogged pipes, reduced flow and shortened | | | | tank's media to complete the actual treatment. There |
| life-span of appliances. | | | | is a metered control valve at the top of the |
| The cations in the water balanced by anions, or | | | | treatment tank with tubing that connects the two |
| negatively charged ions. These anions determine | | | | tanks. |
| whether the hardness is permanent or temporary. | | | | Water that has been treated with a softening |
| Water containing carbonate and bicarbonate anions is | | | | system is preferable for cleaning. Because cleaning |
| temporarily hard, and therefore easier to treat. | | | | agents dissolve better in soft water, there is no |
| Temporary hardness can be removed by boiling, | | | | sticky residue left behind on tubs, clothes or hair. |
| which causes the carbonate ions to react with the | | | | Soft water does not result in scale build-up in pipes, |
| cations. This reaction forms insoluble carbonates that | | | | washing machines and other appliances. No build up |
| precipitate out, softening the water. | | | | means better pressure and longer appliance life. |
| Water that is permanently hard contains chloride or | | | | Determining the level of water hardness and knowing |
| sulfate anions, which do not react with the cations | | | | the differences between hard and soft water is |
| during boiling. Just because the water is classified as | | | | important to deciding if treatment is necessary. |