my water here in hertfordshire is absolute pants, its so hard it furs up a kettle after the first boil, so i used a big brita jug to fill the kettle, water for pans , drinks etc...
out of interest does anyone know if hard water is more benificial, ie in terms of minerals, calcium magnesium etc.. to the health?
sorry guys, i had to google it
"The advantages of hard water are
1) It tastes better and is thought to reduce the number of heart illnesses.
2) It provides useful calcium ions for the healthy growth
of bones and teeth.
3) The formation of lime scale in pipes (see below)
causes the inside of the pipe to be covered with insoluble carbonates.
This layer of carbonate prevents the water in the pipe
from coming into contact with the metal of the pipe
and so prevents pipe corrosion
and poisonous metal salts becoming dissolved in the water.
The disadvantages of hard water are
1) Lime scale furring of kettles and pipes.
The fur is the insoluble carbonate formed
during heating water with temporary hardness.
The deposits of lime scale can build up on the inside of the pipe
restricting the flow of water or causing a blockage.
This can happen in industry where hot water is used
or in domestic heating systems (like the hot water in your house).
Lime scale deposits can be removed using a weak acid.
Lime scale in pipes can be prevented using a water softener
or a scale inhibitor.
Lime scale in pipes can also be an advantage (see above).
2) Soap is wasted because more soap is required for washing.
Soap in hard water forms a "scum" from reacting with
the calcium or magnesium compounds in the water.
Other detergents which do not contain soap
do not form wasteful scum during washing."
