What is Hard Water?

May 2, 2025
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Introduction

Have you ever notice a white, chalky build up on your faucets or struggled to get a rich lather from your soap? Hard water could be the hidden culprit behind there issues. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like Calcium and Magnesium, which can shorten the lifespan of water – using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers.

Hard water affects homes and businesses alike, whether they rely on city water or private wells. But don’t worry – Douglas Water Depot is here to help! In collaboration with Douglas Water Conditioning, we offer solutions tailored to your water needs. As your local family-owned business in Clarkston, we provide advanced EcoWater systems to soften your water and protect your home – without breaking the bank

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is defined as water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. As water moves through limestone and rock formations, it absorbs these minerals. While they are not directly harmful, hard water can also carry volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may pose health risks. These contaminants can enter private wells, community wells, and municipal water systems. (Stay tune for future blog posts where we’ll dive deeper into VOCs, PFAS, and similar compounds)

Wondering if you water is hard? Douglas Water Depot offers a quick, free in-store water test! Just bring in a sample during business hours and we’ll help you understand what’s in your water.

Signs of Hard Water

Around the home or business:

White, chalky scale buildup on faucets, sinks, and showerheads

Soap that doesn’t lather easily, leading to increased detergent us

Streaky, spotted dishes even after washing

In Appliances & Plumbing:

Reduced efficiency and lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines

Buildup in pipes, leading to low water pressure and costly repairs

Higher energy costs as appliances work harder due to mineral buildup

Increased soap and detergent use making every day cleaning more expensive

Solutions for Hard Water

Water Softeners: The Ultimate Solution

The best way to eliminate Calcium and Magnesium from your water and prevent costly damage is by installing a water softener. Water softeners use a process called ion exchange, which captures hard water minerals on resin beads inside the softener. These minerals are then rinsed away using a brine solution – this is why it’s important to keep salt in your water softener for it to function properly.

At Douglas Water Depot, we offer custom water softening solutions for both homes and businesses. With the back of EcoWater, the world’s oldest and largest water softening company (established in 1925), we provide top – tier solutions for all your water – related needs.

Bottled & Filtered Water Options

If installing a water softener isn’t an option for your home or business, Douglas Water Depot still has you covered! We offer four premium water options that you can refill in-store using your own bottles or purchase directly from us. Need us to handle the heavy lifting? We also deliver water straight to your door.

Purified Water – filtered, ozonated, and UV protected for refreshing, clean water

Mineralized Water – Purified and infused with natural minerals for enhanced taste and balanced pH

Artesian Water – source from Canadian aquifer, filtered, and ozonated for premium quality

Alkaline Water – with a pH of 9 or higher, infused with natural minerals for an alkaline boost

Conclusion

Hard water isn’t just damaging your appliances – it’s costing you more money in utilities, cleaning supplies, and maintenance. It can also affect your skin, hair and overall water quality.

Visit Douglas Water Depot today for a free water test! Bring in a sample from your home or business and let us help you find the best solution for you needs! Whether it’s a water softener, filtration system, or premium bottled water, we have everything you need for cleaner, healthier water.

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