Hard Water Map - U.S.

The term ‘Hard Water’ may raise some concerns. But don’t stress too much – hard water is very common in the U.S. (found in up to 85% of homes) and it is generally not a health hazard. The main concern lies in the potential expense it can create for homeowners.

So what is hard water exactly? Hard water contains high levels of mineral content – usually consisting of calcium, magnesium and traces of sulfates. Underground sources collect these dissolved minerals and overtime create a buildup. The severity is measured by the grains of mineral per gallon, also known as GPG. Hard water with high GPG levels will often result in heavy scaling in the bottom of your hot water heater. Scale is the precipitation or physical buildup from these minerals. It looks and feels like sand, and can often damage the lining of the tank – limiting the efficiency of your heater. According to a study from the Army Corps of Engineers, just a slither of scale buildup can reduce a heat exchanger’s efficiency by 15%. This accumulation on the inner wall of the heat exchanger affects the performance of the exchanger, which in turn, creates higher energy costs and/or the need to replace the homes existing water heater.

If you own a solar thermal system, your system is also at risk. The scale buildup can reduce the efficiency of the electronic pump, causing the overall efficiency of the system to deteriorate.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid hard water damages:

1)      Test the hardness of your water. Contact your local water supply company for a free testing kit.

2)      If you are thinking of investing in a solar thermal system – buy a closed looped system. The recirculation will lower chance of new minerals being added into your water supply.

3)      Look into the many commercial ways to treat hard water. These include: filters, water softeners, electromagnetic conditioners and reverse osmosis.