5 Common Myths About Hard Water
Courtesy of NewsUSA
Photo: © Valdore / Dreamstime
If you consider hard water in your home to be a demon, then you may have fallen victim to a few hard water myths. Here are five common myths that have been "floating" around for years:
1. Hard water clogs pipes.
Fact: Calcium and magnesium do not build up and clog copper pipes. Between 1950 and the late 1970s, most homes were built using steel (galvanized) pipes. Minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, stick to steel. Most new and re-piped homes built after 1980 have copper pipes.
2. Minerals in water are contaminants.
Fact: Minerals are not contaminants. Scientific findings supported by officials from the World Health Organization (www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/
dwq/nutrientsindw/en/index.html) have shown that drinking water rich with essential minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, protects good health and leads to lower instances of heart disease and stroke.
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3. Water softeners filter water.
Fact: Water softeners do not filter water; they exchange sodium for minerals. In other words, they merely take ordinary, chlorinated tap water and turn it into ordinary, chlorinated, salty water. There is still a need to install a reverse-osmosis system to remove salt, sediment and chlorine to produce palatable water for drinking and cooking - but only at the kitchen tap. Chlorinated, salty water still runs throughout the rest of the home.
4. Hard water is harsh, fades clothes and dries skin and hair.
Fact: Hard water does not fade colors or dry skin and hair; chlorine does. And water softeners do not remove chlorine and disinfection byproducts.
5. Water softeners are safe for the environment.
Fact: According to Ann Heil, a Supervising Engineer with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, automatic water softeners waste water and put salty brine into the waste stream. High salts in the waste stream can harm aquatic life and can damage crops irrigated with downstream waters.
There are many simple solutions you can take to fix any mineral spotting - and none of them require a water softener. A teaspoon of Sour Salt will handle dishwasher spots, and Rain-X or furniture wax works well on spotted shower doors. Finally, a whole-house water filter that retains healthy minerals will work great for bathing, cooking, cleaning and drinking.
For additional information on the effects of water softeners on the environment, visit www.lacsd.org/chloride
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