How to Find Out If I Have Hard Water

Hard water is not hazardous to human health.

Hard water contains high level of calcium and magnesium that causes limescale in dishwashers, kettles and washing machines, damages clothing and leaves chalky deposits that can block pipes. The minerals find their way into domestic water supplies through the ground which rainwater is filtered through. If you want to determine whether you live in a hard water area, you have number of options available to you.

Instructions

View Your Water Supplier's Water Quality Report

1. Navigate to the local drinking water information page on the Environmental Protection Agency website (see Resources).

2. Click on "See if your annual drinking water quality report is posted online" and select the state you live in from the map displayed.

3. Scroll through the results presented to find your city, town, village or county. If your area's water quality Consumer Confidence Report is not listed, you'll need to contact your water supplier to request a copy directly.

4. Review the report from your water supplier to assess the grains of minerals per gallon in your local supply. Seven grains per gallon or more indicates hard water.

Buy a Water Hardness Testing Kit

1. Purchase a water hardness testing kit from companies like Excel Water or Air & Water. You can buy online or call to place an order. Water hardness testing kits are also available from Amazon.

2. Read through the instructions that come with your kit carefully. If you fail to follow the directions correctly, you may receive a false result. As the method for using different brands of testing kits will vary, it's important to follow the manufacturer's advice to the letter.

3. Conduct the test as instructed and consult the result chart you receive with your kit. Most testing kits consist of strips of paper that you either dip in, or run underneath your water. The strips change color to indicate the hardness of your water.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for signs of hard water around your home. A build-up of limescale in your kettle or a chalky residue around your bath and in your sinks are signs that you live in a hard water area. Hard water can also cause your taps to run slowly as a consequence of your pipes being blocked by mineral deposits and result in your clothes looking and feeling worn after they've been washed .

References

• Water Research: Hard Water
• North Dakota Department of Health: How Minerals Affect Water Supplies
• NSF International: Water Quality (CCR) Reports

Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency: Local Drinking Water Information
• Excel Water: Water Testing Kits
• Air & Water: Iron Hardness Water Test Kit
• Amazon: Water Hardness Testing Kits