What Causes Hard Minerals in Water and How Are They Removed?

Water collects dissolved calcium and magnesium as it moves through soil and rock, making the water “hard”. These minerals can leave deposits inside fixtures, plumbing, water heaters, and appliances. Generally, hard water is considered a nuisance rather than a health concern. However, long-term mineral buildup can make cleaning harder and reduce equipment efficiency.

Conventional water softeners remove calcium and magnesium through ion exchange. Reverse osmosis can reduce calcium and magnesium at a drinking-water faucet, although it is not usually the first choice for treating hard water.