The question of what is actually soft and what is not important to Municipal officials as well as to the homeowner. Unfortunately, those supplying partially softened water often claim they are supplying soft water and infer their customers are getting the benefits of truly soft water. Obviously, there has to be an objective definition.

     The following News Release from Penn State University answers this important question. UNIVERSITY PARK,PA.- Everyone knows the difference between software and hardware or softball and hardball, but some consumers are hard pressed to remember exactly what softened water is, says an engineer in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “For most people, their definition of hard and soft water is based on whether the water leaves a detergent film on pots and fixtures or whether the water makes their hair more silky and manageable,” says Paul Robillard, associate professor of agricultural engineering. Robillard explains that water labeled “soft” or “hard” depends solely upon the levels of two soluble materials--calcium and magnesium--in the water. ”From a health standpoint, calcium and magnesium have no adverse affects,” he says. “Both minerals are essential daily nutrients and along with other minerals often give drinking water the fresh taste many consumers want.”

     If calcium and magnesium are at high levels, the minerals will build up on surfaces such as plumbing pipes, eventually plugging them. Minerals also can damage hot water heaters and make laundry detergents less effective. Engineers measure water hardness by calculating how much calcium carbonate is dissolved in the water. A measurement of less than 1 grain per gallon or 17 parts per million means that the water supply is soft. Robillard offers a table of hard water values: