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Water quality should not be taken for granted. Pennsylvania’s drinking water is considered hard. Across PA, water quality differs, county to county, city to city. Water hardness levels vary across the state, some areas having higher water hardness than others. How you treat your water depends on your water source. Testing your drinking water will help you determine which water quality issues you’re experiencing. Many homeowners are not aware they have hard water.
The average PA water hardness is 151 parts per million (PPM). Water hardness is typically determined by the number of parts per million of calcium carbonate present in the water. Hard water is made up of excess levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Here is a simple scale that breaks down the different levels of water hardness:
Pennsylvania’s water is monitored by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Many PA residents get their drinking water from surface and ground resources. Nearly half of Pennsylvania residents’ drinking water is supplied through public drinking water systems. Many also use private wells for their drinking water. If you live in PA there is a high likelihood you have hard water, but the level of hardness will vary. For this reason, many PA residents look into treatments for their water such as water softeners or conditioners.
Hard water is not a threat to your health. The most common issues people notice when having hard water are: water stains on dishes, dry skin, and stains on their laundry. It can also cause a build up of calcium or mineral deposits on your appliances. You may notice this on your faucets or shower head. Read our other blog to learn about common home and commercial water quality issues so you’re aware of the signs!
We often hear Pennsylvania residents mention a chlorine taste or smell to their water. This is due to a chemical called chloramine that disinfects our water. The Disinfection Requirements Rule (DRR) was published on April, 28, 2018. It’s intended to protect public health through a multiple barrier approach to guard against microbial contamination. The DRR ensures PA’s drinking water is safe for consumption.
Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia. Together they work to disinfect drinking water. It is a more stable disinfectant compared to chlorine. Its disinfecting benefits are spread throughout a water utility’s distribution system. Compared to chlorine, it is a weaker disinfectant, but just as effective. This disinfectant has been used for around 90 years and is closely regulated.
Suburban Water Technology offers many eco-friendly, low maintenance options to treat your hard water. We can add a water softener or conditioner to treat your hard water. We’re also able to install a reverse osmosis unit to remove unwanted impurities. We treat both residential and commercial facilities. Contact us today at 1-800-525-6464 to get your water tested!
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