Let’s talk about water hardness and what it means for businesses

This seemingly unimportant factor could make a big difference to your commercial water payments

For busy business owners, water hardness probably isn’t something that springs to mind often. But the hardness of your commercial water supply can actually have a significant impact on the water you use, and how much you pay for it.

What is water hardness? What causes it? What does it mean if you’re in a ‘hard water’ area? These are questions you should be asking, and they’re ones we’re here to answer.

Let’s take a closer look at the issue of water hardness, and what it means for your organisation.

What is water hardness?

Of course, water is a liquid, so it can’t be hard in the literal sense. When people talk about water hardness, they’re actually referring to the number of dissolved minerals in the water, and this can vary depending on where in the UK you live.

The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium minerals in your water, the harder it is. The lower the concentration of minerals in your water, the softer it is.

Both soft and hard water have negatives and positives attached to them, but neither are considered harmful to your health or the health of your workers.

How does hard water happen?

Coming into contact with limestone, chalk, and other rocks before collection can cause water to become hard, as it collects some of the minerals contained in these surfaces.

How many minerals your water absorbs depends on the soil and rocks found in your area. Generally speaking, hard water is found more common in the east of the UK, while softer water tends to be found in the west.

This is because eastern landscapes contain more chalk and limestone, while western areas feature more moorlands.

Is hard water lower quality?

There is no health risk associated with hard water, as a daily intake of calcium is necessary for normal growth and human health. The calcium found in hard water is the same as that found in foods like eggs, beans, milk, and cauliflower, although in smaller quantities.

So there should be no concern about the impact of hard water on your health. The UK boasts some of the highest standards of sanitation and cleanliness in the world for tap water, whether hard or soft.

The impact of hard water on your business?

Calcium hydrogen carbonate is soluble, so some of the calcium found in hard water can be removed by boiling water. As such, you can sometimes see the long-term impact of hard water by looking inside your kettle. It may be coated in limescale.

This can also occur in your workplace’s heating systems over time. Limescale can be difficult to remove, and can clog up water pipes and boilers. Water softeners are readily available for pipes and appliances, including dishwashers, to stop this happening.

Does hard water cost more money?

Due to mineral build up in heating elements over time, hard water can result in higher bills. It takes more energy overall to heat up hard water than it does soft water, and equipment can fall into disrepair if not properly maintained.

If you operate in an area with hard water, it’s even more important to undertake regular checks of your premises and equipment. This can alert you to any issues before they become larger and more expensive.