Hard Water In Davis County:
What It Costs You.

What hard water is

Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium picked up as water moves through rock and soil. It's harmless to drink, but when it's heated or evaporates, those minerals come out of solution as scale. Water on the Wasatch Front, including much of Davis County, tends to fall toward the hard end of the scale, though it varies by city, water district and even by which source your neighborhood is on at a given time of year.

How hard is hard?

The U.S. Geological Survey groups water by calcium carbonate content, measured in milligrams per liter, which is equal to parts per million. Under 60 is soft, 61 to 120 is moderately hard, 121 to 180 is hard, and over 180 is very hard. Water hardness is also reported in grains per gallon. One grain per gallon is about 17 mg/L.

Signs you have it

White or chalky crust on faucets and showerheads. Cloudy spots on glasses and dishes even after the dishwasher. Soap that doesn't lather well, and a film left on skin and shower walls. Laundry that feels stiff. Low flow from aerators and showerheads that clog with mineral deposits. A water heater that rumbles or pops, which is scale buildup on the bottom of the tank.

What it does to your plumbing and equipment

Scale insulates the heating surface in a tank water heater, so the burner or element works longer to heat the same water. That wastes energy and shortens the tank's life. It builds up inside tankless water heaters, where it restricts the heat exchanger and typically calls for periodic descaling. Scale clogs aerators and fixture cartridges, which we see regularly on faucet and toilet repair calls. It also builds up in dishwashers, ice makers, coffee makers and humidifiers.

How to test your water

Start free: your water provider publishes an annual water quality report, often called a Consumer Confidence Report, that lists hardness for your system. Search your city or water district's website for it. For a quick check at home, hardness test strips from a hardware store give a rough reading in a minute. For an exact number, a lab test or a test kit that gives results in grains per gallon is better. Test from a tap that hasn't passed through a softener already.

Your options

Salt-based water softener. A softener swaps calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium through ion exchange. It's the only common option that truly removes hardness and prevents scale. It needs salt, a drain, and a bit of space. See water softener installation.

Salt-free conditioners. These change how minerals behave so they're less likely to stick to surfaces, but they don't remove them. Results vary, and they don't soften water for soap and laundry the way a true softener does. They suit people who can't or won't use salt and want to reduce scale somewhat.

Point-of-use fixes. Descaling a tankless heater with vinegar or a proper descaler kit, flushing a tank water heater yearly, and replacing aerators cost little and slow the damage if you don't treat the whole house.

Is a softener worth it?

It depends on your numbers and your priorities. If your water tests in the hard to very hard range and you have a tankless heater, a new tank heater you want to protect, or you're tired of scale and spots, a softener often pays back in longevity and convenience. If your water is only moderately hard, a softener is a comfort choice rather than a necessity. A few cautions: softened water can taste slightly salty to some people, which is why many installs leave a cold-water tap unsoftened for drinking, and some people on sodium-restricted diets should ask their doctor. Some municipalities restrict brine discharge, so check local rules.

What to do with your water heater

If your heater is more than about eight to ten years old and your water is hard, expect scale inside it. Flushing it may help, but a very old heater that has never been flushed can spring leaks once sediment is disturbed. Our water heater repair technicians can tell you if flushing is safe, and if the tank is near the end, replacement is the time to add scale protection.

Next step

Look up your utility's hardness number, or test a tap. If you'd like an opinion, we'll look at your water, your heater and your fixtures and tell you plainly whether a softener makes sense. Our dispatch fee for plumbing is $29, applied toward any approved work.

Related Homeowner Answers

• Why is my water pressure low? Mineral buildup from hard water is one of the common causes.
• Why is my drain slow, or why do I smell sewer gas?
• Water softener installation and water heater repair