Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, reminds us of the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. A vital element to sustaining life is water, which covers 71 percent of the Earth. Across the United States, water sources vary widely, ranging from freshwater lakes and rivers to underground aquifers and reservoirs, each playing a crucial role in water supply. Depending on the geological composition of a region’s water source, the amount of dissolved minerals in the water can differ.
In Texas, hard water is common and is characterized by elevated levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. Telltale signs of hard water include reduced effectiveness of soap, soap scum, scale buildup on pipes and appliances, and a film that remains on the skin after bathing. Texas has diverse geological formations, some of which are composed of limestone, dolomite and gypsum, that play a significant role in water hardness. As water moves through underground formations, it dissolves minerals from rocks and sediments. The longer water is underground, referred to as residence time, the harder it can become because it has more time to dissolve the minerals.
Texas is 6th in the nation for statewide average water hardness, and although this varies across the state, our water hardness average is over 200 parts per million. On the hard water scale, a measurement of 200 ppm falls within the very hard water category.
