Water hardness in the city of Waterloo, Ontario can range anywhere between 17 - 38 gpg. This range is considered VERY hard water. For the region of Waterloo, 75% of water is taken from the ground. Calcium and magnesium are the primary minerals that contribute to hard water in this region. Regardless of
where your water supply originates in Waterloo, a water softener
is necessary to prevent the many problems that can occur when using hard water
in your home.
Below is a map outlining the various water hardness areas in Waterloo. Click on the image below to see a larger map (image credit: watersoftenerfacts.ca):
Waterloo Water Hardness Grains per gallon (gpg)
Here is an example of the difference a water softener can make in a Waterloo home:
As you can see, the glasses in the middle were washed with hard water before a new water softener was installed, and the glasses on the ends were washed with soft water after a water softener was installed. Most people don't realize the benefits a water softener in extending the life of your appliances, plumbing in your home, having spotless glasses and dishes or having a soothing shower until they have experienced it themselves.
There are two minerals in hard water that contribute to the accumulation of white deposits on bathroom fixtures, and flaky soap residue on the bottom of a bathtub and they are calcium and magnesium. Hard water also causes the build-up of minerals in pipes, water heaters, washers, dishwashers and shower heads which inevitably reduces the flow of water. Because of the scale that builds up on the inside of your water heater, it reduces the efficiency of heat transfer. Therefore, more energy is required to heat the water in your water heater which directly contributes to an increase in heating costs.
Water hardness is measured with five different classifications and can be expressed either in mg/litre, parts per million (ppm) or grains per US gallon (gpg).
Water hardness classifications
Classification
|
Water Hardness
|
Soft
|
below 17 mg/litre or ppm (0 – 1 gpg)
|
Slightly hard
|
17.1 – 60 mg/litre or ppm (1.1 – 3.5 gpg)
|
Moderately hard
|
61 – 120 mg/litre or ppm (3.6 – 7 gpg)
|
Hard
|
121 – 180 mg/litre or ppm (7.1 – 10.5 gpg)
|
Very hard
|
over 180 mg/litre or ppm (over 10.5 gpg)
|
For Waterloo residents using city water, we would recommend a Water Softener with Chlorine Removal because this unit will not only soften your household water, but also remove the chlorine that
is added by the municipal water supply. This unit is assembled in Barrie, Ontario so you have peace-of-mind knowing the product must meet Canadian specifications. Our company is located both in Barrie and Cambridge, so you can be assured there will be no
hassles getting quick, reliable service on your equipment should you
require it. As well as a water softener, we would also recommend adding
our Reverse Osmosis System,
to provide you with the healthiest, purest, best tasting water
possible for your family. We also have Bi-weekly limited time promotion sales on a water softener.
