26/11/2025
Water serves many essential domestic purposes, from bathing to cooking; it is an integral component of households. Given our dependence on water, it is clear that we must ensure the water we use is safe for our consumption. In this week’s Wisdom Wednesday, we’ll look at a certain water parameter that can slowly damage households if left unchecked. Introducing Hard Water.
Hard water contains calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions that form solid carbonates, which can then be measured as the total water hardness. Other ions also contribute to the total water hardness, but their amounts are significantly lower than those of calcium and magnesium.
But how do these ions get into our water in the first place?
Water hardness is typically caused by the interaction of acidic groundwater with limestone or dolomite when it is abstracted from its source. As a result, water undergoes a series of treatments in accordance with public health standards before being distributed to households. However, purifying massive quantities of water intended for daily use is impractical and expensive. It is impossible to deionize water on a national scale. With years of research, a national standard was established for the tolerable levels of inorganic elements in household water. Specifically, the total hardness of water should not exceed 300 milligrams per liter.
Therefore, our water contains traces of calcium and magnesium. Should you be worried about this? Maybe yes if you want your soap to lather instead of producing scum.
Soaps are salts of weak carboxylic acids synthesized from fats and oils. When hard water comes into contact with the soap micelle, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions displace the metal component of the micelle, forming an insoluble salt that can accumulate in pipes and fixtures. Over time, if left untreated, limescale buildup may cause damage and reduce the efficiency of household plumbing. For example, clogged water pipes restrict water flow, leading to higher energy costs due to a higher pressure required to pump water. In that regard, metallic pipes, faucets, and water lines can be subjected to corrosion and increased mechanical wear, leading to higher repair and maintenance expenses.
In another perspective, appliances that use hard water can also experience reduced efficiency due to mineral buildup. Using hard water in washing machines can lead to stiff, dull clothes due to the solids binding within the fabric. Aside from this, mineral buildup in the machine’s pumps will cause damage, reducing the machine’s lifespan. On water heaters, limescale buildup on the heating element forms an insulating layer, which prevents even distribution of heat and increases energy demand.
On a personal level, hard water consumption poses no health risk. In fact, some reports suggest that drinking mineral water can actually help supplement our body’s magnesium and calcium levels. However, this shouldn’t be a reason to consume tap water directly, as it still contains small amounts of contaminants that can cause diarrhea, and in severe cases, organ damage. Other inconveniences of prolonged hard water use include dry skin and dull hair due to precipitates absorbing the moisture intended for the body, bitter soups, and, at extreme levels, foul-smelling water.
Assessing our household’s water quality is necessary to ensure that the water we consume is suitable for its intended purpose. Though hard water isn’t a significant health risk, its use should be regularly monitored to avoid the consequences of limescale buildup. Some mitigation strategies for hard water include the use of household water softeners and individual water filters, which reduce the risks associated with hard water. Information about your water is available from your local water service provider, as they are responsible for assessing your water quality to ensure proper water resource management.
Content by: Hans Hofilena
Design by: Ezekiel Dayao and Anzelmei de Castro
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Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!
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