Many people regularly consume and prefer bottled water since it’s widely available. Due to its affordability, easy availability, and portability, it’s something that everyone prefers over tap water. However, is the bottled water you drink hard or soft?
Bottled water is hard as it contains multiple dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals add to the hardness of water and help the body acquire the recommended amount of minerals for daily intake.
It is difficult, but not impossible, to tell if your bottled water is hard or soft. Through a few keen observations, you can determine the nature of the bottled water that you consume. In this article, you’ll learn a few interesting facts about the hardness of bottled water.
Table of Contents
Why Is Bottled Water Hard?
Bottled water is often collected and bottled at its source. It qualifies as hard water as it has multiple dissolved minerals that are collected in the aquifers from which the water is obtained.
While the hardness of bottled water proves to be beneficial for mineral intake, it might cause a few problems in the household plumbing systems.
Water Is a Great Solvent
Being a universal solvent, the minerals present in the soil are dissolved in the water source as it seeps down the soil and rocks and collects into aquifers from which bottled water is obtained.
There are two main types of bottled water:
- Mineral water.
- Spring water.
While both are hard, they are treated and contain different volumes of minerals than each other.
Bottled mineral water originates underground and flows through rocks before it’s collected at the bottling source. In comparison, bottled spring water is collected in large aquifers high in calcium and magnesium.
Both sources undergo intensive purification methods. This is to ensure and maintain safety and quality while being examined by trained microbiologists to eliminate any risks of pollution.
Measures of Water Hardness
The concentration of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, measures the hardness of the water.
A set of general guidelines have been established for the classification of the hardness of the water. A few classifications are as follows:
0 to 60 mg/L of calcium carbonate is categorized as soft water.
61 to 120 mg/ L is categorized as medium hard water.
121 to 180 mg/L is categorized as hard water.
More than 180 mg/L is categorized as very hard water.
How Can You Tell if Your Water is Hard or Soft?
Soft and hard water have different pHs and uses. You can reap the benefits of each type of water once you can tell them apart.
To tell if your water is hard or soft, here are a few signs of you must look out for:
3 Signs of Hard Water
- Mineral stains: With a high mineral content, hard water often leaves mineral stains on washed clothes. Clothes might even wear out faster if they are constantly washed with hard water. Mineral stains might even appear on dishes and glasses after they have been washed with hard water mixed with a dishwasher.
- The thin film while washing hands: Due to the calcium present in hard water, it might react with soap to create scum. Scum feels like a thin film on the skin, and it takes longer to wash your hands.
- Lower water pressure: Due to mineral deposits in unused or unmaintained water pipes, the internal diameter of the pipes becomes smaller, reducing the water pressure in the house.
3 Signs of Soft Water
- Healthy lather: Soft water often leaves a healthy lather on washed utensils, clothes, and even your skin. With a lower mineral content, there are no stains, and less wear and tear is observed.
- Slightly salty taste: Due to a higher concentration of sodium, soft water often has a slightly salty taste, compared to hard water. While this is often imperceptible, it might be a health risk for people with high blood pressure.
- Higher water pressure: Compared to hard water, soft water pipelines will always maintain higher water pressure due to the absence of mineral residues in the pipes.
FAQs
Are There Any Health Risks of Bottled Hard Water?
Drinking bottled hard water has no adverse risks associated with it. In some people, it may contribute to the dryness of skin and hair due to its high mineral content.
The minerals might also create an imbalance in the pH value of the skin, making it more dry and flaky than usual. This is often a problem for people with eczema and can be treated by a dermatologist.
Are There Any Health Risks Associated with Bottled Soft Water?
While some might prefer soft water, people who suffer from high blood pressure are often recommended to avoid the use of soft water in their household.
Due to its high sodium content, it might lead to raised sodium levels in the blood. Soft water also picks up on residual lead inside older water pipes and can therefore have high levels of lead in it as well.
Can Hard Water Be Softened?
Water softening systems are used in homes to replace mineral contents with sodium using resin pallets coated with positively charged sodium ions.
As a result, the treated water has a higher quantity of sodium than minerals.
Final Thoughts
While bottled water is often hard with a high concentration of minerals present, there are always multiple options to choose from. With a variety of water available, you must figure out what is best for you.
There are varying levels of mineral and sodium content in both hard and soft water. With different health risks and benefits associated with the two water options, you must first understand what’s most beneficial to you, your health, and your family.