Ground Water vs. Surface Water
As water seeps through the ground (or percolates) to reach the aquifers, it is filtered and purified through the many layers of the earth. At the same time, water may dissolve and retain the naturally occurring minerals it comes in contact with. This is why ground water (or well water) does not usually need to be treated or filtered. Higher levels of dissolved solids, constant cool temperature, and low levels of dissolved oxygen characterize ground water.
However, ground water may contain an abundance of the minerals that can contribute to hardness problems.
The ground water supplies used by The Caernarvon Township Authority produce water with a hardness range of 60 to 190 milligrams per liter.
How Hard Is Your Water?
The Authority consistently treats and softens the water to produce water for distribution with an average hardness range of 55 to 75 milligrams per liter.
To Soften, Or Not to Soften… That Is the Question
Although the minerals in drinking water are beneficial to good health, the aesthetic effects caused by hardness are the most common reasons to soften water. The typical equipment used for this purpose is the ion exchange softener. Softening is accomplished with synthetic resin media by exchanging ions of calcium and magnesium that contribute to hardness with ions of sodium. Although this method of softening can produce water with zero hardness, it is important to understand the limitations of the process.
Homes that use these devices show elevated levels of lead and copper in the plumbing system due to the aggressive nature of the softened water. For this reason, the Authority cannot use a homeowner’s property that incorporates softening equipment for water analysis monitoring.
Ion exchange softeners increase the sodium content of the treated water and may be potentially harmful to persons that are on sodium-restricted diets. People should limit or restrict the amount of softened water they consume or use for food preparation.
The softening process removes the chlorine residual from the water and may accelerate bacteria growth within the plumbing system.
The disposal of spent brine solution and rinse water from softener regeneration is becoming a major problem and can impact wastewater treatment facilities and septic systems. Softener byproducts are corrosive to material they contact and possess varying toxic levels in relationship with the environment.