Water hardness

Hardness is caused by calcium and magnesium ions dissolved in the water. The ions were once part of the limestone aquifer. The water also contains many other natural minerals including bicarbonates, sodium, potassium and an optimum level of natural fluoride.

An adequate daily intake of calcium is essential for normal growth and health. Foods such as dairy products, beans, eggs, buts, cauliflower and spinach contain calcium. The hardness of water has a small but beneficial effect on a healthy diet, and a number of studies have shown that drinking hard water reduces cardiovascular disease.

Levels of hardness have generally not increased, but the effects may be more noticeable due to new designs n kettles and the more common use of steam irons.

Stainless steel and plastic kettles do not 'collect' scale like old-style kettles and so the scale floats freely in the boiled water. This is part of the reason why scum may be noticed on the surface of hot drinks- the freely floating scale reacts with the essential oils in tea and coffee. It is not harmful in any way.

Here are some simple tips to help improve the appearance of your cups of tea:

• Always may your tea in a teapot and not a mug or cup.
• Us a kettle and a teapot with a spout at the bottom.
• Add the milk to you cup first.
• Don’t let the tea ‘stew’ as this results in more scum.
• Try using a tea strainer even if you use tea bags. 
  

This calculation gives the total hardness of the water as calcium in milligrammes per litre, which can be seen on the report for the supply zone covering your area in our postcode search function as Total Hardness (as Ca). Total hardness can be expressed in a number of different units. Dishwasher manufacturers may use these different units in the instructions for setting salt levels. The table below provides the calculations used to convert Total Hardness (as Ca) to these different units.

The water receives very simple treatment as it is already purified by the limestone rock. Only a small amount of chlorine and phosphorous are added. Around ½ part per million (ppm) of chlorine is added at the treatment works to ensure the water remains microbiologically pure as it travels from storage to your house. Around 0.8 ppm of phosphorous is added to protect water quality from the effects of lead piping in older properties. This is part of a legal undertaking given by the business to the Drinking Water Inspectorate to carry out this essential work.

All treatment is performed using sophisticated dosing and control equipment and using products approved for water treatment purposes. All doses are within the quality limits in force in the UK.

Running a cold tap vigorously will release a small amount of chlorine which you may smell from time to time. This is perfectly normal. Chlorinated water does not taste or affect drinks and foodstuffs except in rare cases. Where food or drink tastes or smells of TCP, this is due to a problem in the household plumbing. We can advise on what to do if you have this problem if you contact us.

If you are not used to hard water, a number of simple steps can be taken to overcome any effects of the dissolved hardness:

• Bathing: any tendency for soap scum to form can be overcome by a small amount of bubble bath added as the bath is filled.
• Washing Clothes: follow the detergent manufacturer recommendations for the amount of detergent to be used. If you want to reduce the amount of detergent used, add a spoonful of ‘Calgon’ water softener found on most supermarket shelves.
• Kettles: probably the most visual item in the home affected by scale. The best performing kettles tend to be the traditional shaped metal kettles. Plastic jug kettles tend to scale up more quickly and scale tends not to collect in the kettle but end up in the cups.
• Shower Heads: the drying of water in the shower head leaves scale and mineral deposits behind in any hard water area. Descaling using a kettle descaler when flow starts to drop keeps showerheads performing. Remember to follow the manufacturer guidelines.
• Dishwasher: simply ensure that the rinse aid and salt storage are kept topped up and dishes will sparkle. If you buy a dishwasher, contact us for the hardness values for your area so that you can turn the dishwasher setting control to the correct value. This will allow the in-built softener to operate efficiently.
• Hot Water Systems: Hot water systems can give years of trouble free service in hard water areas so long as the following is considered:

1. The amount of scale deposits will be minimised if the hot water is set at no more than 65oC as scaling increases with temperature.
2. If you have a combination boiler, always install a chemical scale reducer in the cold water feed. Details are available from any plumber’s merchant.
3. Always ensure you use a corrosion inhibitor in radiator systems.

This film is formed as a result of the minerals in the water combining with the organic extracts in the tea or coffee. Whilst harmless, it can be noticed particular on white chinaware. Stronger blends can increase the deposit although there are some blends of tea on the market specifically blended for hard water areas.

Here are some simple tips to help improve the appearance of your cups of tea:

• Always may your tea in a teapot and not a mug or cup.
• Us a kettle and a teapot with a spout at the bottom.
• Add the milk to you cup first.
• Don’t let the tea ‘stew’ as this results in more scum.
• Try using a tea strainer even if you use tea bags.

Hartlepool Water is responsible for supplying a reliable source of safe, clean, drinking water.

Hartlepool Water does not interfere with the natural hardness of the region's water, it is left to the customer, either domestic or industrial, to decide whether artificial softening is the right choice for them.

There are efficient softening devices available for domestic installation from reputable companies. Most work by altering the chemical composition of the water. The calcium and magnesium are substituted by sodium.

Very few households opt for this solution. Water softeners cost a lot to buy and run and are not required for most household users. If you do decide to buy, get proper advice on the use of the softener and the household items which will be softened. Take care not to flush toilets with softened water as this is literally throwing money down the drain.

Hartlepool Water strongly advises that customers keep at least one mains-fed tap in the property for drinking and cooking purposes. This is particularly important for bottle-fed infants and anyone on a sodium restricted diet as many water softeners work by exchanging the calcium and magnesium in the water for sodium. In addition, a number of studies show that drinking hard water reduces cardiovascular disease.

Hartlepool Water strongly advises that any water softening devices are installed and operated in strict accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.

Further independent advice concerning water softeners can be obtained by contacting British Water at 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9BT or on 0207 957 4554

A scale reducer does not soften the water but affects the way in which scale deposits on heating. Instead of a hard brittle scale, the calcium and magnesium salts form a powder which are easily washed away. This is helpful in protecting heating elements particularly in washing machines, electric power showers and combination boilers. If scale reduced water is used in the kettle, it can leave a powder which needs to be rinsed out after every use to prevent the powder spoiling drinks.

It is important to select a scale reducer that works. The chemical units are proven over many years and give consistent results whereas the electric/magnetic units are variable in their performance; some work well in our water and others not.

Any water containing minerals will leave a small deposit if left to dry. Scale deposits on baths, basins and toilets can easily be removed using a cleaning product designed to remove limescale. Regular use of these products prevents deposits forming in the first place so keep an eye open for this on your next trip to the supermarket.

Read the instruction book. The hardness setting will usually be given in either Degrees Clarke or Degrees French. The settings for your area may be found by using our postcode search function, however if these settings are not available set to the hard end of the available settings.

If you require any further information please contact us.