This would include cations such as: calcium, magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Barium, Strontium, Aluminum, etc, but would not include the cations with a positive charge of 1 like Sodium, potassium, and Lithium.
The total hardness of the water is actually the measure of the cations with a charge of 2 or more, i.e., 'multivalent positively charged cations. The hardness of the water is related to the cation concentration and not the anion and it is not just 'Calcium'.Ĭations have a charge that is positive and the charge can be +1 or higher. Calcium carbonate is composed of a cation (Ca++) (positive 2) and an anion (CO3-) (negative 2). The only problem is that with this expression some individuals think that hardness is just the amount of calcium carbonate in the water. (Note: 1 grain per gallon is 17.12 mg CaCO3/L). The total hardness of the water is typically expressed or reported as the equivalent of concentration of calcium carbonate in water as mg CaCO3/L or reported as 'grains per gallon' (gpg).
It does not mean that your water will clog your piping with scale. Having hardness in your water is not bad, not toxic, does not mean you have elevated levels of Lead, Arsenic, or other dangerous minerals. When explaining hardness to the public, in some ways it is easier to say what hardness is not than what it is. Get Informed | Hardness What is Hardness?
