Hardess explaned
Does your water leave stains on your clean glasses? Are your showerheads covered in limescale? Does the water leave a whitish deposit on everything? There is a good chance that you are dealing with hardness in your drinking water. One of the invisible effects of hard water is the accumulation of scale on the components of your water heater. Limescale is a good thermal insulator and can significantly reduce the efficiency of your water heater, driving up your energy bill!
Hardness is a common problem in the Outaouais region and is mainly caused by calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mn) dissolved in your water. These two minerals come from the rock in which your artesian well is drilled. Water hardness is measured in mg/L of CaCO3 (milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate) or in GPG (grains of hardness per gallon).
But once the problem has been identified, what options are available to you? As a first step, it is essential to measure this hardness with an analysis. Consult’EAU can measure this parameter for you at no cost! Here is a scale for determining hardness in drinking water:
- 0 to 60 mg/l CaCO3: soft water
- 60 to 120 mg/l CaCO3: slightly hard water
- 120 to 180 mg/l CaCO3: hard water
- > 180 mg/l: very hard water
Generally, the effects of hardness begin to be felt at around 120 mg/l of CaCO3 and worsen proportionally as hardness increases.
Subsequently, treatment equipment must be sized according to requirements. It is important to choose a device that is neither too large nor too small. A softener that is too large will not regenerate frequently enough, which can reduce its effectiveness. With a device that is too small, there is a risk of not having enough contact time, thereby reducing its ability to do the job properly. Consult’EAU is here to guide you through this step!
Once the right device has been selected, you need to ensure that you can properly dispose of the device’s wash water and determine the ideal location for installation. Consult’EAU is here to guide you through the process of selecting the right drinking water treatment equipment—it’s our job! Don’t hesitate to contact us: 819-307-0529
Consult’EAU, water treatment solutions in the Outaouais region
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Any questions? Need a system or analysis? Write to us, we will be happy to answer you.