What is Hard Water and when is a Water Softener needed?

"Hard" water is a subjective thing to most people. However, when water has a hardness exceeding 10-15 "grains", a water softener makes a significant difference. Less than 10 grains of "hardness" is usually acceptable and does not cause significant degradation of household utility water uses. The first thing to do is have your water tested.  We reccomend sending a water sample to a reputable testing company, or better yet, just call your water provider (they will know and the hardness of your water may be measured at no charge if you ask the local water treatment company to take a look.), or perform your own test, described here:
Water hardness can be easily measured using a simple soap test kit that will measure in "grains of hardness" (a little bottle with a line marked on it which you fill to the line with water, add a drop of soap, and shake to look for suds. More drops of soap - more degrees of hardness).

Water with 5-10 grains of hardness would be water most homeowners would be excited about in many parts of the country.

If your water tests less than 10 grains of hardness, the benefits of a water softener are truly questionable. From 10-15 grains it may be of significant benefit.

Greater than 15 grains means that you will notice a significant difference in utility water conditions with a water softener and you will also notice a reduction in scaling or spotting.

Water with greater than 20-25 grains of hardness usually means that the standard water conditioner may not be adequate for your needs. A more robust water softener with commercial grade and size components

Water softeners offered at hardware or "big box" discount stores are normally out of the range of compatibility with serious water hardness and should therefore be avoided.

Water Hardness Measurements
grains/gallon        ppm mg/L         Softness of the Water
        0-1              0-17.1                    Very Soft
      1-3.5           17.1 - 60                Slightly Hard
   3.5 - 07.0        60 - 120                Medium Hard
  7.0 - 10.5        120 - 180                     Hard
  > 10.50           > 180                        Very Hard


For Fish tanks For fish tanks, 200-300 ppm is considered "hard", 300-500 ppm "very hard" and over 500 ppm "extremely hard" water.

Source: Daniel Friedman, Inspectapedia

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