Top 5 Ways to Know if You Have Hard Water

Consumers want to know if they have hard water for a number of reasons. Water hardness refers to the concentration of minerals, predominantly calcium and magnesium, present in water. While these minerals are not detrimental to our health, they can have a significant impact on the efficiency and lifetime of our appliances, the amount of detergent that needs to be used to clean clothes, and our hair and skin.  A water softening study by the Water Quality Research Foundation and Battelle Memorial Institute also reported energy savings and a reduction in carbon footprint by not using hard water in home appliances.

Hard water is a common occurrence in the United States, with varying degrees of severity across different regions. In New Hampshire, water hardness levels can range from slightly hard to moderately hard, depending on the specific location and water source. Well water is more likely to be hard water in New Hampshire, but some municipal water in New Hampshire is hard as well.

1. Soap Issues. You may have hard water if you have issues with your soap. This may present as
   1. a ring of soap scum around the tub
   2. trouble getting soap to lather
   3. having to use a lot of detergent to get your clothes clean
   4. a residue on our skin and hair, causing dryness, itchiness, and a dull appearance
2. Appliance Issues. You may have hard water if you have water scale buildup which can cause:
   1. dishwasher and clothes washers to run less efficiently 
   2. dishwasher and clothes washers to appear unclean
   3. the need for more detergent to get dishes and clothing clean
   4. the need to use hotter water to get clothing clean when washed
   5. stain removal to be more challenging than using soft water
3. Shower Heads and Fixtures. Hard Water can cause scale buildup that can result in
   1. water flow loss 
   2. a poor appearance 
   3. plugged strainers on faucets
4. Water Pressure Issues. Hard water can cause the water to flow more slowly due to
   1. clogged pipes 
   2. water scale buildup on faucets
5. Water heater issues. Hard water can cause:
   1. Hardness sludge which can build up on gas, electric and tankless water heaters
   2. an 8-48% reduction in efficiency to run your water heater, meaning more fuel is needed to operate the third highest energy consuming appliance in your home (after HVAC).

The Water Quality Association has more information about hard water symptoms, and the U.S. Geological Survey, the science arm of the Department of the Interior, has a water hardness map from a water quality project study. New Hampshire wells across the state range from soft to hard water – the only way to know for sure is to test the water. 

How do you test to know for sure if you have hard water?

The easiest way to determine if you have hard water is to have Secondwind Water test your water. The hardness test is part of the free water testing package provided by Secondwind Water. Water hardness is typically measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Secondwind Water uses grains per gallon. To provide you with a better understanding, consider the following chart:

Water Hardness Level | Grains per Gallon (gpg)

Soft | 0 – 1

Slightly Hard | 1 – 3.5

Moderately Hard | 3.5 – 7

Hard | 7 – 10.5

Very Hard | > 10.5

New Hampshire has relatively soft water compared to much of the country, but many of the private wells in New Hampshire have hard water, and some of the municipal water in New Hampshire is hard. 

Using a water softener on hard water helps prolong the lifespan of appliances, enhances the effectiveness of cleaning agents, and promotes healthier skin and hair. It is essential to consider water softening options to enjoy the advantages of softened water in our daily lives.

Secondwind Water offers free water hardness testing as part of its onsite free water testing package.