Hardness
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Environmental Glossary
A glossary of terms on the Environment, Ecology, Earth Sciences, and Sustainability
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| Measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium ions in water |
Importance
- Calcium and magnesium compounds can precipate out of water to form deposits in sinks, pipes, etc. This can be of importance for boilers, water supply systems, and home pipes.
- Calcium and magnesium ions bind with soap and detergent reducing their effectiveness.
Standards
- Typical values - ∼0 to >500 mg/L
- There is no international standard on hardness. Hard water is general considered to be over ∼100 mg/L (different organizations used slightly different definitions).
