Scale-forming water is not water that "Corrodes" the piping, but where the water produces a solid deposit that begins to coat the piping and which over time can clog the piping. In regulated water supplies that are corrosive, the water company or authority may add a corrosion inhibitor that sequesters or holds certain minerals in solution and/or creates a thin coating on the inside of the piping. Over time, this scale can trap trace metals and become an environment where Slime forming and other Nuisance or disease Bacteria may flourish. Therefore, the scale may be forming in the piping in response to the technique that is being used to manage Corrosive City Water or the scale may form in untreated water because the calcium, magnesium, and other cations are reacting with alkalinity or sulfates to produce a coating or precipitate on the inside of the piping.
For example - If you try boiling your water and you begin to see small crystals form in the water that begin to coat your pots; this is an example of scale-forming water.
Scale-forming water is water that leaves a chemical scale (deposit) in the piping of the home when the water is heated. Some of the dissolved substances are less soluble in hot water and so can reach saturation at higher temperatures and begin to precipitate. Scaling is typically associated with the presence of elevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and other divalent or multivalent cations when the water has a high Alkalinity and/or high Sulfate concentration. In addition, the water may be described as "Hard", i.e, high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but a nuisance because of mineral buildup (scale) on fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance.
This same process can be seen in fractured rock. If groundwater saturated with silica (SiO₂; it doesn’t take much) flows through the fractures, under the right conditions, that silica can precipitate in the fractures, filling them with quartz, producing quartz veins in the rock. Fortunately, dissolved silica is not a problem in water pipes but other minerals are, especially calcium carbonate.
There is a spectacular example of calcium carbonate deposition in the artesian wells of Saratoga Springs, New York. These deep wells tap an Ordovician limestone which has cold water under pressure, supersaturated with calcium carbonate. When the clear water flows to the surface, it turns milky and a cloud of white calcium carbonate particles begins to precipitate out of the water.
Hard Water interferes with almost every cleaning task from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Water flow and pressure may be reduced by deposits in pipes.
When doing laundry in hard water, soap curds lodge in fabric during washing to make fabric stiff and rough. Incomplete soil removal from laundry causes graying of white fabric and the loss of brightness in colors. A sour odor can develop in clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water can shorten the life of clothes. In addition, soap curds can deposit on dishes, bathtubs and showers, and all water fixtures. Those soap curds form when the dissolved calcium in the hard water combines with the soap which means that there is less soap left to do what soap is supposed to do, clean things. This means that you have to use more soap or detergent. In a way, the soap/detergent is acting as a water-softening treatment, causing excess calcium to precipitate out as soap scum, using up soap in the process.
Some detergents have added phosphate compounds for use in hard water. The idea is that the dissolved calcium will form complexes with the phosphate instead of reacting with the detergent itself and that the phosphate complexes will remain in solution instead of precipitating out as scum. Unfortunately, the wash water becomes part of the wastewater stream and phosphates are not removed by most sewage treatment plants (it would require tertiary treatment). The phosphates enter streams in the ‘treated’ sewage effluent and end up fertilizing unwanted algae growth which causes environmental problems (eutrophication). Some states now ban phosphates in detergents because of that, mandating the use of other additives that will also sequester the excess calcium in hard water, but at a higher cost for the detergent.
Hard Water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances and causes the premature failure of your appliances and this failure will NOT be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that can contribute to the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. Pipes can become clogged with scale that reduces water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement.
Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, the National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs. They further state that in some instances, where dissolved calcium and magnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium and magnesium to the diet.
"Hard water isn’t a health hazard but can be a nuisance within the home. Learn how to test water, interpret the results and choose a treatment." (Source)
World Health Organization - "there does not appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes adverse health effects in humans"
It is important to note that the scale does not consist of just calcium and magnesium, but as the scale is formed it is very likely the scale will entrap metals like copper, lead, chromium, nickel, and zinc that may leave trace levels in your water. As the water is used, this coating can be dislodged and accumulate on the screens and aeration devices on your faucet. This is one reason you should check and clean your faucet aeration devices regularly, especially if you have hard water.
Researchers have studied water hardness and cardiovascular disease mortality. Such studies have been "epidemiological studies," which are statistical relationship studies. While some studies suggest a correlation between hard water and lower cardiovascular disease mortality, other studies do not suggest a correlation. The National Research Council states that results at this time are inconclusive and recommends that further studies should be conducted.
The drinking water standards do not specifically say that the water should be non-aggressive, but the standards do suggest that for regulated sources the water should be non-corrosive, have total dissolved solids of less than 500 mg/L, and the water should meet the primary and secondary drinking water standards.
There are a number of indices used to evaluate if water is potentially scale-forming. One of the most common is the Langelier Saturation Index. This index was developed in the 1930s and it relied solely on the relationship of pH, Alkalinity, calcium, Total Dissolved Solids, and water temperature to determine if a scale would form, if a scale would dissolve, or if there would be no change in the scale. If the scale is predicted to form, the LSI (Langelier Saturation Index) has a value greater than 0, if the scale is predicted to dissolve, the LSI is less than 0, and if 0 no change is anticipated and considered balanced. In general, water with an LSI of greater than 0.5 is considered potentially scale-forming water with an LSI of less than -0.5 is considered potentially Corrosive. In general, the LSI will be greater if all of the parameters listed above are higher.
Level 1 Testing is done with simple observations that an individual can make with their own senses such as sight, smell, and taste. These observations can be readily apparent or can be observed as they change over time. In addition, accessible related information about the home can also be used to narrow down the cause of your water issues.
Problems with scale-forming water are easy to identify. If you notice that your pots (and tea kettle) that you boil water in have a whitish to gray scale that can be removed with vinegar (a weak acid) or there is a build up of scale on the aerator of your faucet that appears white to gray and can be removed with vinegar, it is likely you have scale-forming water. Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. When doing laundry in hard water, soap curds lodge in fabric during washing to make fabric stiff and rough. Incomplete soil removal from laundry causes graying of white fabric and the loss of brightness in colors. A sour odor can develop in clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water can shorten the life of clothes. In addition, soap curds can deposit on dishes, bathtubs (bathtub rings) and showers, and all water fixtures.
Dealing with hard water problems in the home can be a nuisance. The amount of hardness minerals in water affects the amount of soap and detergent necessary for cleaning. Soap used in hard water combines with the minerals to form a sticky soap curd. Some synthetic detergents are less effective in hard water because the active ingredient is partially inactivated by hardness, even though it stays dissolved. Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria. Soap curd interferes with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition, and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult to manage. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Water flow may be reduced by deposits in pipes.
Level 2 Testing is Do-It-Yourself testing that can be done in your own home using a Testing Kit. After you’ve done Level 1 Testing, Level 2 Testing can confirm if your observations are correct. If your test results reveal the presence of a contaminant that is cause for concern, you can either proceed to determine the best treatment (see below) or continue to Level 3 Testing.
In order to check the scale-forming potential of a water, there are a number of in-home testing kits that allow you to measure the pH, Alkalinity, Total Hardness, and Total Dissolved Solids of the water in order to calculate the LSI. A comprehensive test kit that allows you to measure this information is the Health Metric Drinking Water Test Kit. Then use one of our tools to calculate a LSI for your water.
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-methyl-tertiary">Note: Concentrations < 40 ppb</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-uranium">Note: Uranium less than < 0.030 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-alkalinity">Note: For High Hardness / Alkalinity</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-toluene">Note: If the concentration is less than 0.8 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-methyl-tertiary">Note: Concentrations < 40 ppb</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-uranium">Note: Uranium less than < 0.030 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-alkalinity">Note: For High Hardness / Alkalinity</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-toluene">Note: If the concentration is less than 0.8 mg/L</div>
Level 3 Testing is done through an accredited Water Testing Laboratory. With Level 3 Testing, you can order a testing kit that is used to prepare your sample and submit it to the lab. By utilizing a lab, you have the assurance that a certified water expert had analyzed your water sample. If your test results reveal the presence of a contaminant that is cause for concern, you can either proceed to determine the best treatment options (see below) or continue to Level 4 Testing - Certified Testing.
A number of informational water quality tests are available to evaluate issues related to scale-forming water or Corrosive water, but only a few calculate the actual corrosion index of the water.
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-methyl-tertiary">Note: Concentrations < 40 ppb</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-uranium">Note: Uranium less than < 0.030 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-alkalinity">Note: For High Hardness / Alkalinity</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-toluene">Note: If the concentration is less than 0.8 mg/L</div>
A Level 4 Certified Test Test uses chain-of-custody with a water professional coming to your home to prepare the water sample and then works with an accredited laboratory in order to certify your test results. This type of testing not only gives you the highest level of assurance in the accuracy of your test results, but can also be used as a document in legal cases. For Baseline Testing, we recommend that you use Certified Testing.
If you require certified testing for scale-forming water, we strongly recommend completing a diagnostic analysis to ensure the water does not show signs of having a Bacteria problem or a problem related to the presence of a specific cation like Aluminum, Iron, and Manganese. If you need assistance, please Contact our team.
If your water is scale-forming, the most common means to soften a water or to reduce the Total Hardness is through the use of a water-softener ion-exchange system (using salt) or a non-precipitating water softener (no salt) that helps to sequester the hardness. The "salt" based units will exchange sodium or potassium ions for the hardness; whereas the "no salt or salt free" will typically sequester the hardness. These types of units would include the NUVO (citric acid) and Aquios (polyphosphate) systems. The system may include an active medium, i.e., a catalytic medium, that removes the hardness ions by causing the calcium, magnesium, et al to precipitate or crystallize. Typically, the NUVO and Aquio units are needed when we are only looking to slightly reduce the water hardness. Because scale formation is a function of water temperature (it forms more easily at higher temperatures), it would be advisable to evaluate the potential for scale formation in both the hot and cold water.
In the short term and assuming you do not have a problem with any trace metals, you can boil and then filter the water. The process of boiling will cause some of the carbonate or bicarbonate to be converted to CO2 and the "temporary hardness" will form a crystal that can be filtered from the water. You could also install a faucet mounted on or under the counter filtration system that contains the catalytic medium.
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-methyl-tertiary">Note: Concentrations < 40 ppb</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-uranium">Note: Uranium less than < 0.030 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-alkalinity">Note: For High Hardness / Alkalinity</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-toluene">Note: If the concentration is less than 0.8 mg/L</div>
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In the long term, the choice of options depends on the situation and degree of your problem. If you are only looking to slightly reduce the hardness of the water and you have limited space, you may want to consider the NUVO or Aquios units which will require you to change one or more filter cartridges every 6 months. There are also no-salt systems that contain a catalytic medium that would have to be rebedded every 750,000 gallons or more depending on the degree of hardness. For very hard water, we would most likely suggest the standard "salt"-based water softening systems. The systems will have an automatic backwash cycle and have a "salt" tank to create the brine that is used to regenerate the system. Be aware that “salt”-based softeners will add sodium to the water which could be a problem for people with high blood pressure.
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-sulfur-treatment">Note: Use in combination with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Test</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L4-methyl-tertiary">Note: Concentrations < 40 ppb</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-bromate">Note: If the concentration is < 0.01 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-uranium">Note: Uranium less than < 0.030 mg/L</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-alkalinity">Note: For High Hardness / Alkalinity</div>
<div class="product-note in-L6-toluene">Note: If the concentration is less than 0.8 mg/L</div>
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