Total Hardness in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Total Hardness is an inorganic constituent in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for this constituent is 500 mg/L. It is typically monitored for aesthetic reasons rather than direct health risks.
Health Effects
There are no direct health effects associated with consuming water with Total Hardness. Instead, elevated hardness levels cause scaling in plumbing fixtures and appliances. It also causes soap inefficiency, making it harder to lather and clean effectively.
How Total Hardness Gets Into Tap Water
Total Hardness enters drinking water supplies from natural mineral deposits. As water flows underground, it dissolves minerals from rocks such as limestone. This natural geological process is the primary source of hardness in water.
How to Remove Total Hardness From Your Water
Common treatment methods to address Total Hardness include water softening. Reverse osmosis systems can also be used to remove these dissolved minerals. These treatment technologies help prevent scale buildup and improve soap performance.
Should You Test Your Water?
You can check the hardness of your water by reviewing your local water utility's consumer confidence report or searching on WaterQ. If you rely on a private well, you can have your water tested by a certified laboratory. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the Total Hardness data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Total Hardness dangerous in drinking water?
No, Total Hardness does not have direct health effects and is not dangerous to consume. Its impact is limited to aesthetic issues, such as pipe scaling and soap inefficiency.
How does Total Hardness get into tap water?
Total Hardness gets into tap water naturally as groundwater dissolves minerals from limestone and other geological deposits.
How can I remove Total Hardness from my water?
You can remove Total Hardness by installing a water softening system or using a reverse osmosis system.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.