Water softeners are not required in many parts of the United States. Much depends on the way the water is treated before it reaches our drinking faucets and how it began life. Many areas of the country have naturally soft water and it doesn’t need the same kind of treatment as ‘hard water’. Now, hard water is not actually hard, but it is referred to as hard simply because it contains magnesium and calcium which are deposit-leaving minerals. Lime is also another hard water ingredient and it can be found in areas where there is a large build-up of limestone. The deposit left is known as ‘lime scale’ and is a crusty yellowish film that sticks to the faucets, kettle elements and bathtubs.
Lime Problems and Removal
Ion-exchange resins or lime softening are usually used to help soften the hard water. When you drink hard water you pretty much can’t tell because the effects only show when the water is boiled or very hot. The scaly deposits are usually left by the warm water when the water evaporates and leaves the scaly film behind. The same applies to pipes and sewage systems in areas where the water is harder and limier. Pipes can clog up slowly and the scale around the edges increases and builds up, until there is very little room for the sewage to pass through. This could be likened to the hardening of arteries in the body—they slowly thick over time until blood cannot get through, causing a cardiac arrest. While that is far more serious, it does explain the seriousness of having backed up drains or sewage systems if they end up spilling back in your home.
As an example, water softeners in Jacksonville FL are used because of the levels of sodium in some areas. The EPA recommends that people do not consume more than2,300mg in one day but most people, either by default or by not keeping track, will consume around 3,500. However, there are also some upsides to hard water because of the reduction of the potentially poisonous ions like copper and lead. These metal ions are far more soluble in water that has been softened, rather than in limey water and therefore pose more of a health risk.
To purchase top quality water softeners in Jacksonville FL, contact Florida Water Technologies for a list of their products and prices.
