Solutions & Solubility

Solutions & Solubility

Pure water, which is an odourless, colorless, and tasteless substance is often called the universal solvent. As water moves through soil, it dissolves very small amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The greater the content of calcium and magnesium, the more hard the water is. Therefore, hard water is the result of an excess of two elements, C and Mg. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg), milligrams per litre (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). (See chart below)

Grains Per Gallon Miligrams

Per Liter (mg/l)

or Parts Per

Million (ppm) Rating

less than 1.0 less than 17.1 Soft

1.0 - 3.5 17.1 - 60 Slightly Hard

3.5 - 7.0 60 - 120 Moderately Hard

7.0 - 10.5 120 - 180 Hard

over 10.5 over 180 Very Hard

You can also detect hard water in your home by examining it for any evidence of film left on your body, the build-up of scale on cooking utensils, clogged pipes, appliances resulting in reduced water flow and increased repairs high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Yet although hard water is a nuisance, it poses no health risks.

Some of the consequences of hard water include harsh and rough laundry, a film of sticky soap on the skin and faulty operation of water-using appliances such as clogged pipes. Furthermore, solar heating used for heating swimming pools could be prone to build-up that interferes with the electric pump. Although hard water may interfere with almost every cleaning task, it is still safe for drinking, cooking, and other household uses and may even add to the taste of water, providing a small amount of nutritional benefit.

Water softeners, however, may also increases the sodium content in the water, which may pose health concerns regarding a person’s intake of sodium. Some of the benefits of softened water include an increase in the life expectancy of the plumbing system, water-using appliances and a reduced soapy residue on clothes, skin, hair, tubs and shower tiles. It will also prevent the scratching of bathroom fixtures as well as sinks and decrease spotting and white chalky deposits, on dishes, pots and pans and glassware.

Since the minerals in water give it a characteristic taste, when water is softened it may taste salty and might not be suitable for drinking. Therefore, soft water may taste bad, but hard water may shorten the life of plumbing and lessen the effectiveness of certain cleaning substances.

There are two ways to help control water hardness, adding a packaged or liquid softener to a batch of water, or by using an