What is the difference between hard water and soft water and what does it mean for you? Find out which one you should consume and why. Water is life, ...
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What is the difference between hard water and soft water and what does it mean for you? Find out which one you should consume and why.
Water is life, and the quality of the water we consume directly impacts our health and well-being. Whether you live in a bustling metropolis or a quaint small town, you are likely to ask your realtor (or landlord/lady) if the home you’re looking at, has a supply of hard water or soft water.
The hard water vs soft water debate has raged on for decades and, sure, most of us would fall on the side of soft water. But do you really know just what is the difference between hard water and soft water?
Conveniently, we are here to answer all the questions:
Hard water is essentially water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals. These minerals include calcium and magnesium ions, which are part of any water that is obtained directly from the source. Simply put, this is what you would call, ‘natural’ water.
All water drawn from natural sources will contain these minerals simply because they are naturally present in the earth’s crust. As a result, they often settle in water bodies through years of rock formation. The hardness in water is measured in parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate.
On the other hand, soft water has a low concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. This is achieved manually through water treatment processes that remove the minerals along with other contaminants. This results in a major difference between soft water and hard water: one is more slippery or soapy to the touch than the latter (thus earning its name).
Now, it is important to understand the role that these minerals play in our water. Even though calcium and magnesium minerals contribute to the hardness of water, they are not harmful to human health. On the contrary, they are crucial for bone health, nerve function and muscle contractions. But like everything else, high levels can also cause health issues.
Typically, hard water leaves white encrusted layers on all water faucets. Your shower heads tend to get clogged, and your bathroom tiles, basin sink, and bathtub will typically gather ugly stains. Similarly, the life cycle of appliances like your water heater also reduces drastically.
But perhaps the best way to find out if you get hard water or soft water at home is by filling it up in a bottle, adding a few drops of liquid soap and shake it well for 10-15 seconds. If the water turns cloudy without foaming up, you have hard water running through your home.
One of the most common challenges of hard water is soap scum. A term used when hard water reacts with soaps to create a scum-like material that often leaves residue on our skin, hair, and clothing. This can lead to dryness and irritation. A high-concentration level of mineral deposits in water can, over time, lead to pipes and appliances getting clogged up which eventually reduces their lifespan.
Soft water reduces soap scum and allows soap and detergents to lather more effectively. Appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers that use soft water generally have a longer lifespan as compared to hard water and are also found to be energy efficient. Moreover, people with existing skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema would prefer softer water as it is gentle compared to hard water filled with minerals.
There are various methods to reduce the hardness of water. One of the most common methods is the use of ion exchange beds. As the name suggests, these literally replace ions. In this case, calcium and magnesium ions are converted into sodium ions through a chemical reaction. As a result, softened water that is more compatible with soap is formed. Another popular method to reduce hardness in water is by using alkaline boosters. This water filtration device works by filtering contaminants and adding alkaline minerals like calcium and potassium to reduce the PH level of water. This subsequently results in reducing the hardness, making it safe to use. Finally, a widely used process is reverse osmosis, a water purification method that can effectively remove minerals and other sediments from water, making it potable. Reverse osmosis (or RO) filters have been gaining popularity in India over the last several years due to their ability to remove a wide range of contaminants from water. However most RO filters require to be maintained every six to eight months with regular filter change and RO tank cleaning. Urban Company’s Native RO filter does away with this recurring chore with its filters requiring changing only every two years. This helps you save up to Rs 18,000 in ownership and operating costs.
Firstly, it is imperative to assess your water sources and to understand what your water contains. You can get your water tested for hardness and mineral content.
These tests will help you gauge the level of hardness present in your water sources. Once that is determined, it is recommended to get professional help to choose the right water treatment system. Some of the options include water softeners, RO and ion exchange systems.
It is also crucial to consider the environmental implications of these water treatment processes. These water purifying systems produce wastewater, which is harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. Therefore, it is important to find the right balance between health and environmental concerns.
While hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it can pose certain challenges as mentioned above. Soft water, on the other hand, solves these challenges but requires additional purification systems.
Everyone’s requirements are different and hence it is important to seek help from water experts to assess your water requirements and implement the appropriate steps for clean and safe water.
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