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Water Hardness

Find out more about the effects of hard water. What are myths and what is fact? Learn more from our frequently asked questions on the matter.

Is there a legal requirement to fit a water softener?

The short answer is no. But let’s get into the long, nuanced answer. The Building Regulations 2010 Conservation of fuel and power Part L (Volume 1: Dwellings) stipulate that ‘In hard water* areas, suitable measures should be taken to treat the feed water to water heaters and the hot water circuit of combination boilers toRead More...

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Does a water softener remove fluoride?

Fluoride levels are not affected when you fit a water softener. A Harvey water softener only exchanges positively charged ions such as calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium. Fluoride, chloride, sulphate and nitrate are negatively charged, so your softener won’t remove fluoride from water. Why fluoride is present in natural water supplies Fluoride is a mineral found in water and some foods. It occurs naturallyRead More...

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How can I find out how much sodium will be in my water when softened?

The simplest route is to call the customer services number for your water supplier. Ask for the sodium level in the water supply and calcium carbonate hardness. (N.B. both sodium and calcium carbonate hardness must be expressed in mg/l. Divide the calcium carbonate hardness level by 2.175 and add the sodium in the water supply).Read More...

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Why is hardness expressed as different measures?

In the UK, there are different ways of measuring water hardness. Parts per million (ppm) is the modern metric system. Before that, the degree Clark method was used to measure hard water Parts per million This scale is used to measure very small amounts of something in a larger quantity of liquid. It is used to measure diluteRead More...

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Does a domestic water softener change the pH Balance of the water?

No, fitting a domestic water softener will not affect your water pH balance. Softened water is not corrosive. It does not corrode your appliances – including aluminium heat exchangers and water boiler taps such as Quookers. When water is softened by a domestic, base-exchange water softener, the only chemical changes are replacement of calcium (and otherRead More...

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Why don’t water companies soften the water?

Most water companies don’t soften the water in their water supply. It’s not because they can’t, it’s because it’s not cost effective. Studies have shown that it’s more economical to soften water at the point of use, which is what a water softener does. At the time of writing, the only supplier that softens waterRead More...

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Water Hardness

Is there a legal requirement to fit a water softener?

Does a water softener remove fluoride?

How can I find out how much sodium will be in my water when softened?

Why is hardness expressed as different measures?

Does a domestic water softener change the pH Balance of the water?

Why don’t water companies soften the water?

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