Understanding Hard Water: Why Water Quality Matters in Everyday Life
In many urban and semi-urban regions of India, household water supply relies heavily on groundwater sources such as borewells. Although this water may appear clear, it often contains high levels of dissolved minerals mainly calcium and magnesium. Water with elevated concentrations of these minerals is known as hard water . Over time, hard water has become a widespread water-quality challenge, affecting households, infrastructure, and daily water-use efficiency. What Is Hard Water? Hard water is defined by its mineral hardness, measured as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃): 0–60 mg/L: Soft 61–120 mg/L: Moderately hard 121–180 mg/L: Hard Above 180 mg/L: Very hard While hard water is not considered toxic, prolonged use can lead to functional and maintenance-related issues. Long-Term Effects of Hard Water Plumbing and Appliances: Calcium and magnesium form scale inside geysers, pipes, washing machines, and heaters, reducing efficiency, increasing energy consumption, and sho...