THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE AND HARD WATER

Each day, rain is falling somewhere on earth, while water is ascending somewhere else. You could say that water is actually going in cycles. This is called the Hydrologic Cycle.

The earth, sun and atmosphere could be considered one large still. The sun, acting as a heater, warms the water on the earth's surface. This warm water evaporates and ascends into the atmosphere where, at higher altitude, the water is cooled and condenses to form clouds. As you know, this eventually means rain, snow, sleet, etc.

As the water filters into the ground it dissolves and collects everything from rocks to pesticides. It seeps from a few feet to hundreds of feet through pores, cracks crevices and fractures of the rocks that make up the crust of the earth.

This saturated space between geological materials is called groundwater. In the US, 80-90% of the total available water supply comes from the ground.

Calcium and Magnesium

Ground water can pick up many elements. The amount of calcium or magnesium determines the hardness of the water supply.

Calcium and magnesium in the water supply, while not considered a health hazard, can contribute to several problems in the home.

• Scale build-up in plumbing system
• Reduced water heating efficiency increases water heating costs
• Calcium build-up in valves and solenoids in water bearing appliances reduces appliance performance and appliance life
• Reduced detergent performance wastes detergent
• reduced rinsing performance on dishes, clothes, bathroom tile, etc.
• Increased soap build-up and more difficulty in cleaning

These problems will vary according to the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water supply as well as the amount of water being used in the household.

Sources Of Water Contamination

As water moves through the hydrologic cycle, its quality is affected by both natural processes and the actions of humans. Water is contaminated by runoff from stormwater or snowmelt, by seepage through the soil and by atmospheric transport.

Contaminants enter water supplies through landfills; deteriorating, underground, storage tanks; industrial waste; agricultural fertilizers and pesticides; animaI feedlots; highway de-icer, run-off; faulty septic tanks; hazardous waste sites; and leaching from pipes, solder and pipe joints.