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How Hard Is Your Water? |
Although the telltale signs of hard water are obvious, it takes a little homework to find out just how hard your water really is. If a municipal water company serves you, call the city offices or the superintendent of water and ask for the test results. If they quote the quantities of various minerals in parts per million (PPM), you can easily work out the conversion of PPM to GPG by dividing the quantity of PPM by 17.1.
If your water is supplied privately, you'll probably have to test for hardness. In some areas, city or county health departments offer testing. If yours doesn't, you can have it tested by an independent water-testing lab or a water-conditioning company, but be advised that the latter has a stake in the outcome and may offer free testing as a come-on for selling you equipment you may not need. Many softener companies will test a mailed-in water sample for free some will send you a do-it-yourself test-strip kit. See the resources below for the names and phone numbers of several major manufacturers.
If you have a well, it is very important to test your water—not only for hardness but also for safety. Though the need varies depending upon the source, check it at least once for mineral content, lead and radon (where radon is a threat) and once or twice a year for bacteria and nitrate. If you have concerns about contaminants in well water, contact your local health department for recommendations.
You can ask your water utility or the state health department for the names of independent testing labs or look under 'Laboratories' in the Yellow Pages. A solid, affordable testing option is to contact a mail-order laboratory, such as National Testing Labs, (800) 458-3330. For $137, this lab offers a 77-item check of inorganics, including hardness minerals for $167, you the lab will check for an additional 20 pesticides, herbicides, and PCBs. The lab supplies you with a sample kit that you return by mail. Included with your results, which arrive in about 3 weeks, is a brochure describing the corrective actions you should consider. A similar lab is Suburban Water Testing, (800) 433-6595. Note that the prices mentioned here may change.
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