WATER HARDNESS

HARD WATER -- RANGES AND PROBLEMS

Hard water is a serious problem, and it is a common one. Water in 85% of the United States is so hard it should be softened to be of maximum usefulness.

There are only a few areas where water is sufficiently soft to be satisfactory for most home­making needs. No natural water supply is completely free of hardness.

Communities that draw water directly from snow-filled mountain streams enjoy nearly ideal water in terms of a low amount of hardness.

New York City with supplies of one to three grains of hardness per gallon has relatively soft water. Even here there are opportunities for sales of water conditioning equipment. There are industries which must have water free of hardness materials. Some laundries in the area, for example, have found that zero soft water provides substantial soap savings.

Actually, the hardness of water supplies in this country ranges from 1 to 350 gpg (17.1 to 5985 mg/l).

Most waters possess hardness minerals in amounts from 3 to 50 gpg (51.3 to 855 mg/1). Unfortunately, where water is extremely hard, the problem is often compounded by the presence of other contaminants such as iron and manganese.

Most people are quite aware that a water containing 15 to 30 grains (256.5 to 513 mg/1) of hardness minerals is definitely hard and difficult to use.

On the other hand, many people will tolerate a 5 grain (85.5 mg/1) water that is very objectionable to anyone accustomed to using completely soft water.