Hard water is a term used to describe water which has a high dissolved mineral content. Calcium and magnesium are the two main minerals to consider.

There are no health implications from hard water – but it can be a problem as it tends to cause mineral deposits to build up in water pipes, heating systems, kettles and other domestic appliances. When using soap or detergent products it has lower performance when compared to soft water – it produces less lather.

As water flows through rock and soil it gathers small amounts of minerals and carries them in solution. The amount of hardness increases as the level of calcium and magnesium in the solution increases.

To complicate matters further, there are two types of water hardness – permanent hardness and temporary hardness. Both are due to mineral content.

Permanent hardness cannot be removed by boiling. It is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium sulfates and/or chlorides in the water. In spite of its name it can actually be removed, typically by using a water softener or ion exchange column, which swaps calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions in the column.

Temporary hardness can be removed by boiling the water, or by adding lime. It is caused by a combination of calcium ions and bicarbonate ions contained in the water. Boiling the water causes the bicarbonate to form carbonates and removes calcium carbonate from the solution leaving water which is softer after it cools down.

Scaling, also known as limescale, is the left over mineral deposit formed after the hard water has evaporated. This scale can clog pipes, form chalky deposits on the inside of kettles and lower the effectiveness of domestic appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.

If you want to minimise the effect of hard water in your home there are a number of fairly simple steps you can take.

First of all, select the correct soaps and detergents. There are plenty of washing powders and liquid cleaners specially developed for use in hard water areas. Using the right one will not only get your clothes and dishes cleaner more easily, but will prolong the life of your domestic appliances by reducing limescale build up.

Secondly, lower the temperature level of your boiler. The higher the water temperature the more mineral deposits will be released from the water. These will be deposited in your pipes, water tank and any domestic appliances connected to the hot water supply. Lowering the temperature settings for your dishwasher and washing machine will also improve matters.

Finally, if your main problem is that you are not content with the flavour of your tea or coffee then filtering the water will usually remove enough of the minerals to make quite a difference. You can fit a relatively inexpensive under sink filter (these are simple to install) or use a handy jug type filter – the Brita filter jug is a popular choice which comes in a variety of sizes and colours.

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