Quite specific concepts of “hard” and “soft” water in everyday life can be interpreted in different ways. For example, water can erroneously be called soft, bearing in mind its taste and other qualities, while the amount of salts in it, which determines the hardness of the water, can be very rather large. This is not a subjective characteristic, but an indicator with accurate values. Water is considered hard when it contains calcium salts, as well as magnesium, in excess of 6 mEq / l. This is a unit of measure, common in all countries, but along with it degrees of rigidity are also used, the values of which will vary in different states. So, in the literature there are data in German, American and other degrees of rigidity. Why do you need to know this indicator?
Water hardness has a direct impact on the condition of washing machines and dishwashers, on the quality of washing and the color of the laundry after it. The amount of detergents you use needs to be increased, sometimes twice. Both the appearance and the technical condition of the bathroom suffer from excess calcium and magnesium salts: tiles, faucets and, of course, plumbing. Salt deposits cover the pipes from the inside. In private homes, this can lead to a rapid failure of the entire water supply system. From hard water, the skin condition worsens, pores get clogged; unsuitable for keeping fish. The question of its impact on our health remains open.
How to determine the hardness of water? Visually - along the rapidly forming scale on the walls of the kettle, a dull coating on the sink even with regular cleaning; on poorly foaming soap when washing hands. Water with a high salt content of these metals can be recognized and taste; the tea brews in it longer, and the cooking time of many products increases. The red color of the scale also indicates that there is a lot of iron in the water, which means that cleaning does not hinder it.
You can find out the hardness of water in utilities, at water treatment plants. There are also laboratories conducting detailed water analyzes. Special tests popular with aquarists are also used. What will it give you? You will find out whether it is necessary to adjust the cooking time of products, apply means to soften the water in washing and dishwashers, you can take measures for additional cleaning. It is worth noting that most tests reveal only the general hardness of water, not taking into account the constant and temporary hardness. Most household and industrial filters are also designed to combat total stiffness.
Water hardness and methods for its elimination
Ordinary boiling can eliminate the calcium bicarbonate contained in water , that is, temporary hardness. However, the so-called "constant water hardness" will remain. Softens tap water and the addition of baking soda. In industry, ion-exchange filters that operate on the principle of cationization are often used. For small volumes of water, the distillation method is also suitable.
In everyday life, this problem is solved with the help of filters of different classes. On replaceable modules, whether modules for a filter jug or a cartridge filter, their purpose is indicated. Many of them are designed to eliminate water hardness, although, as a rule, they are primarily used to purify it of chlorine, iron impurities, and other metals. Among the most popular domestic manufacturers can be called "Aquaphor", "Geyser". The choice of filters is quite wide, which is why it is nice to know the chemical composition of the water coming from your water supply. Using suitable filters, in addition to the purer taste of food and drinks, you will get very tangible health benefits. Special filters are also used in the form of nozzles for the tap / shower. True, this will not solve the problem of increased dryness of the skin and intensive scale formation in washing machines and pipes. Here you can only deal with the investigation through the intensive use of care and detergents. And the best, but more expensive solution will be to install a more powerful cleaning system, for example, a main filter in an apartment (Honeywell, Aquafilter) or an automatic softener in a country house (for example, EcoWater).