Is Hard Water Better For You Than Soft Water?

As rainwater falls from the sky and lands on the ground, it soaks into the soil, slowly seeping down to the water table. On its journey, it absorbs minerals as they dissolve in the water, meaning that this high mineral content water has can potentially reach our drinking water supplies.

We all are aware that hard water, as this mineral-rich water is known, can cause damage to our electrical appliances, causing limescale build-up in kettles and washing machines, but what about if we drink it? Is it better, worse, or no different to soft water?

Hard water is perfectly safe to drink, and the minerals in it can lend it some flavour that soft water lacks. The minerals are also beneficial to our bodies, as the calcium it contains is used by our bodies to grow bones, for example.

However, there is a downside. One of the dissolved minerals found in hard water is calcium bicarbonate. When hard water is heated, the soluble calcium bicarbonate decomposes to make calcium carbonate, which is insoluble, meaning it comes out of the water and is deposited as limescale that can be seen in the water.

Over time, limescale builds up and can damage the heating elements in electric kettles and irons, clogging pipes, lowering the efficiency of electric water heaters, raising the costs of heating the water, and reducing the life of the equipment.

So, while it is safe and beneficial to drink, it is not good for your home and business appliances. To correct this, many people install water softeners to protect their electrical appliances.

If you’re looking for water softener services in Beaconsfield, get in touch today!