- There are several different types of minerals that can appear in tap water in any municipality, which range from the beneficial to the odious. Some of the more harmless minerals include copper, magnesium, sulfur and sodium, and are generally not a problem to most consumers. Other naturally-occurring mineral deposits can be problematic and depend upon the location of the tap water source (see Resources for details), and can include lead, lithium, silver and even uranium. By and large, however, most of these minerals are extremely minuscule, especially in treated water, and generally do not pose a great overall health risk to the general population. The most common and problematic mineral deposits are lime, rust and calcium. These three are the minerals that tend to clog pipes, discolor water, and leave "soap scum" and other residue deposits that can accumulate over time and become problematic to remove without the use of harsh chemicals.
- The easiest to identify is rust. Rust comes from deposits of iron, in one compound or another, that have oxidized. Iron can be present in the ground water, or may be leeching into the pipes from other sources. Rust may also be a result of an older water heater that is slowly corroding from the inside. Rust stains sinks, basins, showers, and other sources of water with an orange residue which is left behind by dissolved, oxidized iron particles that attach to the microscopic crevices and nooks of a surface and build up there.
- Geography plays a large part in determining if the build up inside your shower or on you faucet is lime. Lime is usually the result of ground water passing through large sections of semi-porous limestone. Kentucky, for instance, sits upon a large shelf of limestone and many of the creeks and river tributaries are fed by brooks which well up through limestone outcroppings. While this may impart a special flavor that is conducive to the production of bourbon, lime can (and will) clog pipes to near-uselessness. Over time, lime makes small deposits on the copper piping that is usually used to bring water to a house. The lime builds up on joints or bends in the copper piping and slowly builds up walls which can severely restrict its flow. Additionally, lime builds up on showerheads and faucets where it meets air, and begins to re-solidify. The result is a hard, chalky, unattractive buildup which is difficult to remove.
- Calcium is a very common, naturally-occurring mineral that causes problems with users of tap water. While small amounts of calcium are necessary to detoxify water, too much calcium in water can lead to build up that clogs pipes and causes health issues. For instance, overly-high calcium intake in humans can result in kidney stones or gallbladder stones. Calcium is the main determiner of "hard" water--water that has a high instance of dissolved minerals in it. Hard water makes soaps difficult to lather, reduces the effectiveness of some water-using machines (dishwashers, washing machines, etc.), and can irritate or "dry out" human skin.
- The easiest way to treat water is to install a water softener system. The most common is a so-called "mechanical" or "ion exchanger" system which uses common salt to render the calcium and lime present in water inert, and exchanges those minerals with sodium. Another method is to use a magnetic water softener which changes the polarity of mineral ions that pass through the magnetic field and prevents them from being attracted to the pipes that carry water. Water filters may also be an option, as the holes in paper filters allow water to pass but particulate matter over a certain size (usually measured in microns) is stuck in the filter; periodic replacement of the filter is required. Finally, there are chemical treatments that may be added to certain appliances such as the washer which chemically neutralize hard water, but do nothing to address the problem.
