Hard water problem in Perth

You’ve probably heard of the terms “hard” and “soft” water when you were researching water quality solutions. What does this mean for your water supply?

Water is usually crystal clear In Perth but it can still contain chemicals and minerals. Water hardness is the amount of minerals in the water. Rainwater is considered soft water as it has not been in contact with any minerals. Water that percolates through the earth is called hard water. Hard water has higher levels of dissolved minerals than usual, such as calcium or magnesium.

Perth Water Supply

The Integrated Water Supply Scheme, Water Corporation’s largest program, supplies water to Perth residents. The scheme provided 300 billion litres water from four sources: desalinated water (45%), surface water dams (11%), groundwater (40%), and groundwater replenishment (4%)

Hard water is found in some areas of WA, especially if it comes from groundwater sources. Hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium salts found in water.

Many supplies of calcium and magnesium are available in WA. These minerals dissolve in water as it moves through rock and soil. They cannot be removed via filtration. As calcium and magnesium content rises, the hardness of the soil increases.

According to the Australian drinking water guidelines, elevated hardness is defined as having 200 mgs of calcium or magnesium salts per litre. Continuous tests have confirmed that the water we provide to our customers is safe and meets all health guidelines.

water hardness map — *(source: https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/)*

What are the causes and what are its consequences?

Hard water occurs when water contains more calcium and magnesium than normal.

Because minerals are left behind after water evaporates, hard water can leave marks on glasses, shower screens and garden plants.

Also, soap reacts chemically to hard water. To form a lather, soap must be stronger than the hardness levels.

The durability of hot water equipment in your house may be harmed by hard water. Hard water causes blockages in your hot water system, and heat crystallises the calcium, causing it to obstruct pipes and put more strain on the system. To avoid scale build up on your hot water system; it is necessary that you have your system serviced by a plumber on a regular basis.

Many appliances, such as dishwashers, come with tips on how to deal with hard water. It’s a good idea check your water hardness. Fortunately, some electric an gas hot water heaters are suitable for areas that only have hard water!

What is the difference between soft and hard water?

Soft water is not more calcium- and magnesium-rich, but it tends to be higher in sodium or salt.

Water quality is difficult to tell. Signs of hard water in domestic settings include:

After washing your hands, you may feel a film build up on your hands. This happens because soap reacts with calcium to create soap scum. If the water is very hard, you may need to rinse your hands more often.

Spots on silverware and glasses as they come out of the dishwasher.

When clothes come out of the washer, they can leave behind mineral stains.

Mineral deposits in pipes can cause a reduction in water pressure and reduce water flow.

Hard water is water that has not been altered in any way. There are many opinions about whether soft or hard water is best for drinking. According to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, drinking water must be treated to a high standard.

While Australia has strict regulations regarding the quality of its drinking water, water hardness isn’t. We can see that water hardness is a function of where it comes from in Australia.

What are our main recommendations for hot water?

Hard water can cause damage to all water-using appliances. If you are aware of it, it is likely that it is affecting your water heater’s efficiency. There are many minerals in hard water, including calcium and magnesium.

These minerals can build up, especially in appliances that use hotwater. Heating the water separates them and causes them settle or form scaly deposits. This buildup can reduce the water heater’s ability to heat water and cause a reduction in the tank’s water storage capacity. Because it builds up near heating elements, this can also impact efficiency and make heating cycles more difficult.

You should let the pressure valves open for a few seconds every month to prevent scale buildup in your hot water system, according to the water corporation.

Also, you could: