Hard Facts About Hard Water

Water hardness is one of the most common water quality concerns reported by consumers in the United States. When water is described as “hard,” it simply means it contains an elevated level of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. The greater the abundance of these minerals, the harder the water is.

Water hardness is typically calculated in parts per million (ppm). Because it poses no threat to human health, neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nor the State of California sets a mandatory drinking water standard for it. Locally, our water supply typically measures between 260 and 300 ppm, placing it well into the “very hard” classification (which applies to anything exceeding 180 ppm). Even though hard water can decrease soap lather and lead to mineral accumulation in your pipes and appliances, it is perfectly safe for consumption.

Nutritional Benefits

From a health and dietary standpoint, drinking hard water provides more minerals than drinking naturally soft or artificially softened water. Because soft water is stripped of beneficial elements and often contains elevated sodium levels, hard water can be better for daily consumption. The calcium and magnesium naturally present in hard water are not health risks. Instead, they can serve as a valuable supplement to your daily nutrient intake.

To put its nutritional value into perspective:

  • Hard Water: An 8-ounce glass of moderately hard water delivers roughly 50 to 75 mg of calcium.
  • Milk: For comparison, an 8-ounce glass of milk provides about 300 mg of calcium.

While these essential minerals are great for your body, higher concentrations can leave noticeable side effects around the house. You might spot cloudy film on your shower walls, white residue on your glassware after a dishwasher cycle or chalky mineral deposits on your faucets.

Learn more about water hardness.

Water naturally absorbs hardness as it flows across riverbeds or filters through rock formations rich in calcium and magnesium.

Lomita receives water from the Colorado River, Northern California and local groundwater. Northern California water is “softer,” but due to the ongoing drought, the amount of Northern California water that Lomita receives has been minimal to none. Colorado River water and local groundwater tend to be similar in hardness.

Across the United States, water hardness levels differ significantly from one region to the next. Generally speaking, the highest mineral concentrations are found throughout the upper Midwest and the Southwest. In southwestern states, a combination of limited rainfall, high temperatures and mineral-dense soil naturally increases the hardness of the local water supply.

If you are dealing with mineral spots and want to protect your appliances, your first step should be consulting your equipment’s user manuals. Following the manufacturer’s specific guidelines for hard water settings will yield the best results.

Additionally, you can minimize spotting by trying these practical household adjustments:

  • Adjust the Temperature: Opt for cold-water cycles rather than hot whenever possible.
  • Switch Products: Experiment with different brands or types of dishwashing detergents and rinse aids.
  • Use Natural Additives: Introduce a splash of plain white vinegar to your dishwasher’s rinse cycle to help dissolve mineral film.

Utilizing hard water in your yard can lead to a gradual accumulation of salts and minerals within the soil, which can affect your plants, trees and vegetables. To counteract this, ensuring proper soil drainage is essential. You can also improve soil health by incorporating amendments like compost, peat moss or gypsum, and by applying a layer of mulch to lock in moisture.

When choosing what to grow, keep in mind that native vegetation is generally far more resilient to mineral buildup than exotic species, citrus trees and vegetable crops. For personalized guidance on managing your garden’s specific needs, consider consulting a local nursery or a landscape specialist.

Fortunately, the calcium present in your water does not accumulate rapidly enough to shorten the lifespan of your household pipes. In fact, the minerals in hard water can create a helpful organic barrier on the interior walls of your plumbing. For homes equipped with copper or lead pipes, or those joined with lead solder, this natural shield plays a vital role in preventing those metals from seeping into your drinking water.

While your pipes are safe, minor buildup can still occur elsewhere:

  • Faucet Aerators: Minerals can accumulate in the mesh screens of your faucets, which may eventually reduce your water pressure. To fix this, just unscrew the aerator, soak it in household vinegar to dissolve the scale and twist it back on.
  • Recirculating Systems: Larger residential properties and commercial facilities that use hot-water recirculating systems are more susceptible to mineral scale accumulation. These specialized systems should be inspected and monitored more frequently.

Public health organizations widely agree that hard water is safe for consumption. According to the World Health Organization, there is no compelling scientific evidence that water hardness leads to adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the National Academy of Sciences notes that while hard water typically provides only a small portion of a person’s daily calcium and magnesium requirements, it can become a primary dietary source of these essential nutrients in areas where mineral concentrations are exceptionally high.

While hard water is entirely safe internally, it can occasionally affect people externally. Some individuals might notice increased skin dryness when washing with mineral-dense water, though most people experience no noticeable difference. If you have ongoing concerns about how your water is affecting your skin or overall wellness, it is always best to speak with your doctor or a dermatologist.

Water Softeners

While installing a water softener can enhance the cosmetic properties of your home’s water supply, it does not actually make the water healthier to drink. In fact, the vast majority of these systems operate by replacing the naturally occurring calcium and magnesium with sodium, which inherently raises sodium levels in your tap water. If you are watching your salt intake or have related health concerns, it is wise to discuss this increase with your doctor before drinking softened water.

Beyond dietary considerations, there are mechanical, environmental and financial impacts to keep in mind. Research indicates that softened water can become aggressive and corrode certain types of metal plumbing. Additionally, many softening units discharge salty brine into the local sewer system. The ongoing expense of running a softener is another critical element to weigh, as these systems can be quite water-intensive, consuming anywhere from 15 to 120 gallons of water for every 1,000 gallons they treat.

Distilled White Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar can help break down the mineral deposits left behind by hard water.

No. While they are related, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and water hardness measure different things. TDS refers to the total amount of dissolved minerals, salts and other naturally occurring substances in the water. Water hardness specifically measures the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Because calcium and magnesium contribute to TDS, hard water often has a higher TDS level, but TDS also includes many other minerals that do not affect hardness. This means water can have a relatively high TDS while still meeting all drinking water standards and remaining safe to drink.