5 Safest and Most Effective Ways to Treat Hard Water Today

1. Handling Hard Water by Heat Method

1.1 Mechanism

Using heat is a simple way to treat hard water, which can be applied at home. The basic principle of this method is to boil and distill water, using heat to create salt precipitates at the bottom of the water kettle. The chemical formula is as follows:

Ca(HCO3)2 => CaCO3 + H2O + CO2.

When heated, calcium bicarbonate in water will decompose into the following substances: Calcium Carbonate salt, water, and CO2. At that point, the CO2 gas will rise and escape from the water. Water and CaCO3 will be retained and settle at the bottom of the kettle.

For magnesium ions in hard water, using heat will remove this mineral. Specifically:

Mg(HCO3)2 => MgCO3 + H2O + Co2

Magnesium Bicarbonate, when hydrolyzed at low temperatures, turns into Magnesium Carbonate along with water and CO2 gas. If the temperature is increased, the MgCO3 salt will hydrolyze into Magnesium Hydroxide, which is insoluble in water. Therefore, users only need to proceed with sediment filtration to use the water normally.

1.2 Evaluation of Hard Water Treatment by Heat Method

Advantages

• This method is simple to implement and can be applied at home immediately.
• Since it does not require much investment in equipment, it helps users save a lot of costs.

Disadvantages

• The boiling method for treating hard water is only applicable for temporary hard water. It may be difficult or not achieve the desired results for permanent or total hard water.
• During the process of boiling hard water, there will be mineral deposits on the surface of cooking appliances due to calcium carbonate accumulation. If not treated promptly, it can affect the operation of the equipment, even leading to quick damage.
• When treating hard water using this method, experts recommend using it within 24 hours. After that, the water may become stale, affecting the health of users.

2. Ion Exchange Method

2.1 Mechanism

This method uses non-soluble resin beads containing ions such as Sodium and Potassium. When in contact with water, this filtering material will exchange ions with calcium and magnesium in the water, thereby removing them from the water source.

The basic principle is as follows: When hard water passes through resin beads, metal ions in the water such as Ca+ and Mg+ will exchange ions to introduce Na and K into the water. This helps make the water softer.

2.2 Evaluation

Advantages

• This method provides high efficiency in treating hard water and is easy to apply.
• Ion exchange resin beads can be regenerated and reused, helping users save costs.
• This product can be applied to various types of water sources with different characteristics.

Disadvantages

• After the ion exchange process, the resin beads will release sodium and potassium into the water. However, excessive use of sodium minerals can affect health. Therefore, an additional reverse osmosis filter should be installed to remove sodium and potassium from the water source.

3. Treating Hard Water with Chemicals

3.1 Mechanism

The mechanism of this method involves using various types of chemicals. These substances combine with calcium and magnesium ions in the water, forming insoluble compounds. Therefore, after the chemical reaction, it is necessary to combine with the use of a filter to remove the insoluble compounds from the water.

Some common chemicals used to treat hard water include: Soda, Lime, Sodium Phosphate, Barium Hydroxide... Each type of chemical has different effects and properties, so the usage methods will also vary.

3.2 Evaluation

Advantages

• This method is considered cost-effective and easy to apply.
• These types of chemicals are widely available in the market, making them easy to purchase and use.

Disadvantages

• It is necessary to carefully consider the concentration of chemicals when adding them to water. Excess can affect the safety and quality of the water, impacting the health of users.

4. Using Water Filtration Machines

4.1 Mechanism

Currently, there are many types of water filtration machines on the market that use different methods such as RO, Nano... These are trusted devices known for their superior ability to treat hard water.

In general, these devices operate based on the ion exchange process to soften water. Specifically, when passing through RO, Nano filter membranes, calcium and magnesium ions are removed through the wastewater. This not only helps clean the water but also removes high hardness. Therefore, the water after passing through the filtration machine can be consumed directly without the need for boiling.

4.2 Evaluation

Advantages

• Safe and effective treatment of hard water quickly.
• The output water source is highly clean, meeting technical standards for direct drinking water.
• Softening water is entirely automatic, and users do not need to participate in any machine operation steps.
• No need to use chemicals to treat hard water, so it does not affect water quality.

Disadvantages

• Users need to replace filter cores regularly as specified by the manufacturer to ensure water quality.

5. Integrated Method

5.1 Mechanism

Users can combine 2-3 water softening methods together. Some methods only soften temporary hard water. By combining with other solutions, it can treat permanent hard water and total hard water.

5.2 Evaluation

This method provides effective water softening, suitable for various types of water with different characteristics.

Above are the most common methods for treating hard water that are being applied in many households today. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to contact us for assistance.