Water is an essential part of human existence, there’s no doubt about that. From personal care activities like showering and doing laundry, to watering our lawns and washing cars, water plays a big role in our daily lives. With the human body being composed of approximately 60% water, it also affects our health. The question arises, then, does it matter what type of water we drink? Is hard water harmful to drink?
What is hard water and where is it?
According to some statistics, close to 85% of the U.S. has hard water. This is water containing high amounts of calcium and magnesium, measured in milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter. Any water with a value of 61 mg/L or greater is considered hard, with classifications including various degrees of hardness. Looking at a water hardness map of the U.S., you will see that the highest levels occur in southwestern states like Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Southern California, although hard water is prevalent throughout the entire Midwest as well.
Effects of hard water
Homeowners living with it know that there are several negative effects of hard water. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Dry and itchy skin
- Soap scum buildup on sinks and other fixtures
- Water stains on silverware and dishes
- Clogged plumbing in water-using appliances
- Dull laundry
- And more…
Can drinking hard water have negative health effects?
If hard water can affect so many areas of the home, it’s natural to wonder if drinking it is harmful to our health. After all, if the “extra” minerals in hard water build up in the plumbing and on household fixtures, do they do the same inside our bodies?
Many research studies have been done, and continue to be done, on this very subject. So far, the general consensus of current research is that drinking hard water is not harmful to our health. This may be because the human body actually needs minerals like calcium and magnesium, and uses them to support bodily functions, unlike the plumbing in our homes which has no use for them so they just build up over time.
Some research has shown that instead of being detrimental to our health, drinking hard water may actually be helpful. Not all, but some, of these studies showed a positive correlation between drinking hard water and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The results are by no means conclusive, however, and further research must be done to validate these results.
Water testing and treatment
Although drinking hard water may not be harmful to the human body, it is clear that it has detrimental effects within a home, as mentioned above. If you suspect that you have hard water, your first step should be to get your household water tested. At Pacific Coast Water Systems of Fullerton, we even offer a free water test with no obligations attached. This makes it easy for you to know exactly what’s in your water and whether any impurities in it could be causing negative effects in your home.
If a water test confirms the presence of hard water, you then have multiple water treatment options to choose from, including:
- Water softeners
- Whole house water systems
- Drinking water systems
- Drinking water filters
- De-ionized water systems
- Portable exchange tank service
What’s the best way to find out the difference between all of these options? Contact us and we will be happy to help you make the choice that makes the most sense for you and your family. Great water is just a phone call away!