Port St. Lucie Water Testing & Filtration

Cleaner Healthier Water

What Is The Difference Between Hard And Soft Water?

Isn’t water just water? But that’s not the case. Hard and soft water are two types of water that could be present in your home. So, what is the difference between hard and soft water? The difference is based on the number of dissolved minerals in the water. Hard water has a lot of calcium and magnesium minerals, whereas soft water has very little. Soft water has a more significant percentage of sodium or salt.

For many people, the choice between hard Vs. Soft water comes down to the cost associated in the long run. Costs of hard water include Energy waste, wear and tear, inefficient operation, early appliance failure, and shortened plumbing system lifespan. Knowing the distinctions between hard and soft water, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each, will help you choose the best option for your home and possibly save your appliances. If you want free in-home water testing done by an expert, contact Eastern Water And Health.

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What are the fundamentals of Water Softening?

Difference between hard water and soft water​

Hard water refers to water that is high in dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. On the other hand, soft water is rainfall or processed water with sodium as the only ion.

Each country has its definition of water, and however, in the United States, soft water is defined as having a hardness of less than 17.1 mg/L, as per the American National Standards. To determine the hardness of water, the following levels are helpful:

  • 0-60 mg/L: Soft water
  • 61-120 mg/L: Moderately complex water
  • 121-180 mg/L: Hard water
  • more than 180 mg/L: Tough water


It’s a good idea to have your water tested for lead levels and other contaminants if your home has an old, untreated plumbing system. We at Eastern Health And Water do free in-home water testing and advise you on the best workable solutions for your water issues.

Hard water Vs. soft water: which is better

Rainwater is naturally soft water as it falls. Water gathers up minerals like chalk, lime, and predominantly calcium and magnesium as it travels through the ground and into our waterways, resulting in hard water. 

Hard water is sometimes favored as drinking water since it includes vital minerals for health benefits and flavor. The National Institutes of Health has discovered that drinking hard water has health benefits, as calcium and magnesium ions play vital roles in heart function, digestion, and blood sugar regulation.

Soft water is suitable for people who may be on a low sodium diet. There are ways to reduce salt in soft water, allowing households to enjoy better-tasting water while also having the best available water for cleaning. Reverse osmosis and water softener solutions from top-rated water experts such as Eastern Water And Health are highly recommended.

Water softeners to help you with hard water

Water hardness, or the quantity of dissolved calcium or magnesium in your water, may also have an impact on your energy use. Hard water makes your appliances work harder. When installing a water softening system from an expert such as Eastern Water And Health, hard water is filtered by resin beads carrying positively charged sodium and potassium ions. 

The sodium and potassium are released into the water as the resin beads capture positively charged calcium and magnesium ions. This exchange produces softened water with trace levels of sodium and potassium.

The benefits of a water softener system are:

  • Cleaner dishes without any cloudy layer on them
  • ​Softer clothes and no fading and wea
  • Sparkling tubs, sinks, and toilets
  • Softer skin and hai
  • Saves energy by rinsing with less hot wate
  • Clean and shining hair
  • ​Longer lifespan for appliances

Is there a difference in taste between soft and hard water?

Mineral content is the primary distinction between hard and soft water. Soft water is free of minerals, whereas hard water contains minerals like magnesium and calcium. Hard water has a pleasant taste and is commonly used for drinking. The flavor of soft water is usually bland. If you’ve used a chemical or salt to soften the hard water, you’ll need to filter it thoroughly to remove the calcium and bicarbonate ions.

​Which is better to drink: hard water or soft water?

Hard water has additional health benefits. Calcium and magnesium are crucial elements that the body needs for bone and muscle growth. These minerals also have a role in blood pressure regulation and enzyme activity. Hard water consumption could be a source of these minerals.​

A water softener with a water bypass valve system from Eastern Water And Health is recommended by many experts.
If you are concerned about higher sodium levels in soft water, this can be addressed with a potassium-based water softening system.
Call (772) 301- 1767 to know the water quality of your home/ office and to have a water softening system installed.