If you’ve noticed chalky deposits on your faucets, cloudy spots on your glassware, or even dry skin and hair after showers, you’re likely dealing with calcium-rich, hard water. While calcium is essential for your health, it can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing, appliances, and daily cleaning routines. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to remove or reduce calcium in your water. In this guide, we’ll explore why calcium builds up, its effects, and practical methods to soften your water to mitigate the effects of scale and save money in the long run.
What is calcium in water, and why is it there?
Calcium in water refers to calcium ions dissolved in water as it flows through or over calcium-rich materials, like limestone, chalk, and gypsum. As water moves through soil and rocks, it dissolves minerals like calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate, which are abundant in many geological formations. In some cases, agricultural runoff or industrial processes can increase calcium levels in water.
Calcium and magnesium ions are among the primary contributors to water hardness. The higher the calcium concentration in water, the harder the water becomes. In contrast, the lower the levels of calcium and magnesium, the softer the water becomes.
Learn more: Hard vs. Soft Water: Which Is Better for Your Home and Budget?
Is calcium in your water good or bad for you?
Calcium in your water isn’t bad for your health but can be problematic if levels are too high. Studies suggest that calcium in water may be bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb and use it effectively. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, and consuming it through water can contribute, in a small way, to your daily calcium intake. It also supports proper muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. So, unless you have strict dietary restrictions or a sensitive palate, high calcium levels aren’t a health concern.
However, when calcium in your water is too high, it creates water hardness. Generally, water with a calcium level above 121 mg/L is considered hard, and above 180 mg/L is very hard. Scaling and soap inefficiency can become noticeable and costly problems at these levels.
Effects of too much calcium in your water
Although calcium in your water doesn’t have a negative impact on your health, it can cause other issues throughout your home. Here are some of the main drawbacks of high calcium levels in your water.
Scale buildup
Calcium causes limescale in pipes, faucets, and appliances, making them less effective and increasing the need for frequent maintenance. Scale buildup can also reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine, requiring more frequent maintenance and, in many cases, premature replacement.
Reduced soap efficiency
Hard water interferes with soap and detergent, making it harder to lather, and often leaves soap scum on surfaces and dishes. That usually means stiff, dull-looking laundry, soap buildup in sinks, cloudy dishes, and more elbow grease needed when cleaning.Â
Skin and hair issues
High calcium levels in water can dry out skin and hair, leading to irritation and excessive product use. If your skin and hair feel dull or less clean than usual, hard water is likely the culprit.
Cost implications
The issues listed above combined often result in homeowners having to buy more cleaners and hair and skin care products and make costly repairs to appliances and fixtures. Widespread scale issues can also cause appliances to run less efficiently, resulting in higher energy bills that cost homeowners hundreds or more each year.
What areas have the highest levels of calcium in water?
Areas with the highest calcium levels in water are typically regions where groundwater flows through calcium-rich rock formations like limestone or gypsum. Here are some of the most common areas where hard, calcium-rich water is found.
- Midwest: States like Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin have hard water due to extensive limestone deposits.
- Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas have some of the hardest water, influenced by arid climates and mineral-rich aquifers.
- California: In the Central Valley and southern regions, water hardness is common due to natural deposits and agricultural water use.
- Rocky Mountain region: Colorado and Utah often have elevated calcium levels from groundwater interacting with mineral-rich rocks.
How to get rid of calcium in your water
If you live in an area with high calcium levels in your water, you need to treat it for hardness. There are several ways to soften your water, but here are the most effective ways to remove the calcium ions.
Water softeners
Water softeners are one of the best solutions for high calcium levels, using ion exchange systems with resin beads to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions, effectively softening water for the entire house.
Our recommendation:
Scale inhibitors
Chelating agents, like EDTA, and scale inhibitors added to water bind with calcium, preventing it from forming scale. These chemical additives are effective for managing scaling in appliances and pipes. It’s a low-maintenance and cost-effective solution, particularly for industrial uses. However, it isn’t appropriate for drinking water and is not as effective as a water softener.
There are other water purification products that forego chemical additives and use phosphates for scale control instead. For example, products like the ScaleStick help inhibit mineral scale deposits and provide corrosion protection for water-fed equipment like espresso machines, ice machines, and reverse osmosis systems.Â
Our recommendation:
Salt-free water conditioners are good alternatives to water softeners. They use various methods, like template-assisted crystallization (TAC), to alter calcium and magnesium so they don’t adhere to pipes and other surfaces. They don’t altogether remove calcium, but they do reduce its effects. Water conditioners with TAC scale prevention media are specifically designed for municipally treated water.
Our recommendation:
Will water filters remove calcium?
Other treatment methods, like reverse osmosis systems and distillation, may be capable of removing some calcium from water, but they are not robust enough to treat hard water. Addressing calcium in your water with a water softener is often the most effective first step. Water softeners specifically target calcium as the primary cause of hard water, ensuring these minerals are removed before additional treatments. By softening the water first, other water systems can operate more efficiently and with less maintenance, as they won’t have to contend with scale buildup or mineral interference. This layered approach optimizes water quality while extending the lifespan of secondary treatment systems.
Considerations for choosing a water treatment system to remove calcium
The type of calcium water treatment method you choose should depend on your living situation and your water supply source. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a water treatment option for your home.
Test your water
Before choosing, test the hardness level of your water by consulting with a professional or grabbing a DIY water testing kit. The water hardness level will determine what type of softening solution you’ll need. For example, very hard water (>180 mg/L calcium carbonate) often requires an ion exchange system or reverse osmosis.
Testing your water not only reveals the calcium and magnesium levels in your water but can also reveal any other impurities or issues that need addressing. With a water test, you might also discover you need pre-filtration for your water.Â
Our recommendation:
Water source
Consider where your water comes from. Do you get it from a municipally treated source or a well? City water is usually treated to remove harmful contaminants, but it may still contain moderate levels of calcium and magnesium.Â
On the other hand, well water can be especially susceptible to high levels of calcium, magnesium, and sediment. Combine a water softener for hardness with a sediment filter or iron removal system for a more comprehensive approach.
Home type and available space
Your home's type also influences the kind of water treatment system you choose. Ensure the system fits your available space and integrates easily into your plumbing setup. Some systems, particularly point-of-entry (POE) options, require professional installation.
Maintenance and long-term care
When selecting a system, factor in the maintenance requirements and choose the one that makes the most sense for your budget. Many water softeners require periodic maintenance to ensure they run efficiently. For example, ion exchange softeners require periodic salt replenishment.
Frequently asked questions about calcium in water
Does boiling water remove calcium?
Boiling water can remove calcium temporarily by causing calcium bicarbonate to decompose into insoluble calcium carbonate and precipitate out. However, this only works for temporary hardness (caused by bicarbonates) and does not affect permanent hardness from calcium sulfates or chlorides.
Can I use vinegar to remove calcium?
Yes, vinegar (acetic acid) can dissolve calcium deposits and limescale by reacting with calcium carbonate to form soluble calcium acetate. This method is effective for cleaning surfaces and appliances but doesn’t work for removing calcium from drinking water.
Can magnets reduce or remove calcium in water?
Magnets do not remove calcium but are claimed to alter the structure of calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from forming scale. However, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of magnetic water treatment is inconclusive and offers various results based on water conditions.
Do water filters in fridges filter out calcium deposits?
Standard fridge water filters are designed to improve taste and remove contaminants like chlorine and sediment. However, they are not typically effective at removing dissolved calcium or softening water. A water softener is the best option for calcium removal.
Calcium-free drinking water at your fingertips
Dealing with calcium in your water doesn’t have to be a constant battle. From installing water softeners to using DIY solutions for smaller issues, there are plenty of effective ways to tackle hard water and its effects. By understanding your water’s composition and choosing the right treatment method, you can protect your home and wallet, improve appliance efficiency, and enjoy softer water that’s kinder to your skin, hair, and surfaces.Â
Whatever your water treatment needs, trust Fresh Water Systems to provide you with the systems and knowledge to remove calcium from your water. With decades of experience in water treatment and filtration, we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your home.
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