Less Hard Water Does Not Mean Soft Water

From the Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Indiana

In light of the article “Utility piping softer water” (Nov. 5) devoted to Aqua Indiana’s soft-water claims, the residents of the Fort Wayne area deserve to hear the entire discussion when it comes to the changes in their home water quality.

As a member of the local business community, as well as a Culligan dealer, I have been barraged with questions and have seen the misconceptions about Aqua Indiana’s water create confusion and frustration. Certain issues must be addressed head-on to give area citizens peace of mind when it comes to their water.

First and foremost, less hard water does not equal soft water. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, only water that tests at less than 1 grain per gallon (gpg) concentration of hard minerals is considered “soft water.” Both the U.S. Geological Survey and the Water Quality Association support this classification. Hard minerals can include calcium and magnesium and are often the culprits behind dishwasher film, bathroom sink stains, itchy and dry skin and the decreased efficiency of water-using appliances.

There is no doubt that everyone has been affected by the region’s hard-water history at some point, with some tests charting hardness as high as 25 gpg. While Aqua Indiana has made some progress reducing the hardness, the area’s water still routinely tests at about 10 gpg. That still leaves a lot of hardness and even more questions.

That level still threatens residents’ pipes, challenges their laundry machines and wreaks havoc on hair and skin during every shower.

While Aqua Indiana’s claims ran without such qualifications, people removed their water softeners only to be faced with the uncomfortable truth about their so-called soft water. Water softeners still provide the highest level of soft water available, and Aqua Indiana’s vague statements and half-truths should not be taken without asking the tough questions.

The next time Aqua Indiana calls softener a “throw away,” it needs to face the hard facts about Fort Wayne water.

BRIAN O’ROURKE Fort Wayne

What the heck is hard water?

You have probably heard the term, heard your mom complain about it and your dad curse it like a bad golf swing. Hard water is actually responsible for a huge amount of waste and destruction in your home and on your body, and it should be cursed.

Down-and-really dirty

Hard water is considered water with a high volume of hard minerals, usually calcium and magnesium.(Sounds like a bad 80s singing duo) Anything with more than 1 grain of hard minerals per gallon is considered hard water. Anything above 3 gpg, run, don’t walk, to get a water softener. Believe me, you will thank me and may even send me a present.(I need new sweaters by the way.)

What Hard Water Does

These two nasty elements then run amuck on your skin, hair and household appliances. Ever get out of the shower and feel like, how do I say, gunky? That’s because soap and other products can’t rinse properly and subsequently dry out your skin and hair. Remember in old Acme cartoons, the fleas used to build whole cities on the family dog? It’s like that, in mineral form.

Appliances are not spared from hard water’s wrath. A recent study shower showerheads can get clogged and rendered inoperable within 18 months. Ever pull out dishes from the dishwasher to be greeted by filth spots? You can thank hard water. If your sink looks like a frat house just used it during its latest social, hard water is probably to blame. (Disclaimer: If you actually did just have a frat party, that’s also the reason the toilet is in the front yard.)

Time Goes By So Slowwwlllyyy

I know the Righteous Brothers did not have hard water in mind when they came up with that line. But who says they didn't? Moving on.

A study by Ohio State University indicated that time required for typical cleaning taskes was increased by 50 percent.

So look around your house and in the mirror and ask: Is hard water costing me money and time? If the answer is yes, yell “Hey Culligan Man!”

Less Hard is Not Soft

Recently, in Ft. Wayne, IN, Aqua Indiana and other utilities have made the claim that their water is “soft” – and cited in more than a few articles that current customers don’t need to use softeners anymore. Taking the utilities’ word, many consumers got rid of their softeners and subsequently found out the hard truth. Less hard is not soft.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, only water that tests with a less than 1 grains per gallon (gpg) concentration of hard minerals is considered soft water. Hard minerals include calcium and magnesium, and recent tests have shown that untreated hard water has a devastating effect on appliances.

In a May 5th article in the Journal Gazette, it is said the water will be “half as hard”, and I have to ask “half as hard” to what?

20 gpg to 10 gpg? 8 gpg to 4 gpg? I have to challenge their claims because I feel the real discussion has not been had on this issue. (UPDATE: My sources say that Aqua Indiana's water was 22 gpg before and will project to be 7 gpg. Bottom Line: Still very hard water!)

I feel the public is under a gross misconception when Aqua Indiana says the water is completely soft, and that softeners are no longer needed. The fact of the matter is that yes, some progress has been made, but the water is not even near the quality that a softener can attain.

Claims that their services equal a softener is simply not true.

All I ask for is a forum for debate, pros and cons, fact and fiction - and I welcome Aqua Indiana's thoughts.

More to come in this ongoing debate.

Culligan Tweets!

ThingsMomsLike@culliganh2O Hey Culligan maaaan! I used to make my grandmother say it because she said it like the lady in the commercial LOVE WATER!

cwroblew@culliganh2O Watertown. We've been real happy with the service in general too. We let Culligan do all the work.

kstevenson#MrTweet I recommend @culliganh2O because they educate me about what contaminants are in my water that I would have never known about!

susanraisch@culliganh2O Thanks for the great reminder Culligan. Dehydration is no fun.

iVillage@culliganh2O Thanks a lot and have a good weekend. :)

Nice Video Explaining Water Hardness (Look out Utah!)