Hard Water, Water Softeners, Water Conditioners. Making Sense of it

Recently, we had a salesman in our home trying to sell us on a water softening system. I was interested because my son and I have eczema: dry, itchy skin that is sensitive to minerals, among other things. But to listen to the pitch, this particular sales guy made it sound like soft water would rid the world of kidney stones and ulcers, eradicate all skin diseases, and even cure cancer. So, before I signed on any dotted lines, I decided to do a little research of my own.

First of all, I had to find out exactly what “hard” water is and whether it’s bad for me and my family. According to water.usgs.gov, “the simple definition of water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water.” Well, shoot. I used to pay for calcium and magnesium supplements, so can it be bad to drink in my water?

The National Academy of Sciences states that hard water does not pose any health risks; in fact, they suggest that “hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs” (water-research.net). So, it’s pretty safe to say that hard water isn’t going to kill us.

So next, I had to figure out if I really had hard water to see if this was a purchase I even needed to make. I get my water from a municipal system, so it was easy to access my local water report and see that, yes, I live in a hard water area with higher levels of calcium and magnesium. If you get your water from a private water supply (such as a well), you can send in a sample of your water to a lab for testing, or purchase testing kits or strips to determine your water’s hardness. Here’s a regional map for additional help:

But at the end of the day, you can determine whether you have hard water in your home by the spots on your dishes, the dryness of your hands, and even the taste of your tap water. As mentioned before, hard water has higher levels of calcium and magnesium; therefore, those minerals will deposit themselves on your skin, in your home’s pipes and water fixtures, and on dishes, glasses, and windows. So, many people will turn to soft water because it doesn’t have the minerals that dry skin or block pores, doesn’t leave mineral deposits on pipes and glasses, and makes soaps and detergents more effective in smaller doses because they can do their job instead of binding to the minerals in your water. So, while a softener could possibly save you money in soap products, it can also help save money on pipe and appliance repairs, save money on skincare products, and save time spent removing unsightly and annoying water spots and calcium deposits.

For me, I decided in the end to go with a water softening system. However, there is something many homeowners should also know. I have a shower with a black tile floor, with a slate-like consistency. I noticed that I was starting to see a white buildup on some of the tiles. I talked to my plumber and found this is common on black or very dark surfaces with tile, rock, or other textured materials. He asked if the residue was easy to clean off and I said it was. He said this is actually caused from sodium deposits, not hard water. So in some certain cases, there may still be residue but it isn’t as stubborn or troublesome as hard water buildup.

Has this convinced you to invest in a water softener yet? Well, before you jump in, there’s one more thing you need to know.

When it comes to treating hard water, there are two different systems out there. One “softens” the water and one “conditions” the water. They are different in important ways and it’s really helpful for anyone considering a hard water treatment system to know the difference and what results they can expect.

1. WATER SOFTENER

Water softeners actually remove calcium and magnesium from the water through a process called ion exchange. Essentially, the water softener’s mineral tank is filled with polystyrene beads that hold a negative charge, which attracts the positively-charged calcium and magnesium ions. Positively charged sodium (salt) ions (or its more expensive counterpart, potassium chloride,) are then flushed through the system, collecting the calcium and magnesium and sending it down the drain. That’s what the bags of salt and brine tanks are for in water softening systems. And this is what gives soft water its slightly salty taste. Some people who don’t prefer the flavor of soft water will install a hard water line for drinking and for watering houseplants. Others will install a reverse osmosis filtration system that will filter out the salty taste, along with other contaminants in the water and install this tap for drinking water. However, because the minerals are removed from the rest of the home’s water, water spots and calcium buildup should disappear, and your soaps and detergents should be more effective.

2. WATER CONDITIONER

Water conditioners do not remove the minerals from your water. One type of water conditioner uses citric acid to slightly change the PH of the water and coat the minerals, preventing them from adhering to your pipes or dishes. Another type of water conditioner is a Poly-Phosphate filter. These methods aren’t as effective at removing spots or keeping pipes as clear as a water softener, since the minerals are still present in the water. But they can definitely help. Additionally, they don’t leave your water tasting salty or leave your hair and skin feeling slippery, as soft water has a tendency to do. They also don’t use all the chemicals and tanks that a water softener requires.

While it would be more than amazing to have a water treatment solution that could cure cancer, what’s more realistic is finding a water treatment solution that helps keep your dishes clean and helps keep your pipes, appliances, and skin healthy. It’s up to you to decide which is the best for your needs—or whether you actually need one at all.

Click here for some additional home tests you can perform to see if your water is hard.

Sources Referenced:

https://water.usgs.gov/edu/hardness.html
https://www.water-research.net/index.php/water-treatment/tools/hard-water-hardness
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a150/1275126/
http://www.watersoftenercritic.com/salt-based-vs-salt-free/
https://idahowatersolutions.com/water-softeners/the-truth-salt-vs-salt-free-water-softeners/

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