Your local water dealer, public utility consumer service department or Cooperative Extension Service office can provide this information or refer you to someone who can. You probably have hard water if:.

Water is considered hard if it contains calcium and magnesium. Both are common elements found in water. According to the Water Quality Association, hard water is water that has hardness minerals in excess of 1 grain per gallon (gpg). Most water supplies range from 3 to 50 gpg. Following are relative levels of hardness: If left untreated hard water will form scaling in water heaters, pipes, boilers, air conditioners, etc. See similar questions...

Yes you can. Mineral buildup is a problem where the water is heated, i.e. in the tank. The water is being cooled in the tubing so mineral buildup is not possible in the tubing. Mineral buildup in the tank can be minimized by using a powerful heater so that you can have low operating temperatures. Mineral buildup is not likely at temperatures below 1400 F. See similar questions...

Your water is very soft. Hardness levels in Maine waters are generally low but can range from near zero to several hundred milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate (mg/L as CaCO3), the standard unit for hardness. As you can see from the following table, the Greater Portland (Sebago Lake) water source, with a hardness value of 9 is described as soft. See similar questions...

Hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium minerals in water. Groundwater typically has a higher mineral content than surface water. A high concentration of minerals in the water can make it hard to lather, hence the term “hard water.” Soft water, on the other hand, has a low concentration of minerals, and requires extra rinsing to remove soap. Our water is moderately soft, with 65 milligrams per liter of hardness. See similar questions...

For many uses, it would not matter. For instance, to put out fires, water your lawn, wash the mud off the streets or float your boat, water would have to be pretty hard to cause a problem. But for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, shaving, washing your car and many other uses of water, hard water is not as efficient or convenient as "soft water. See similar questions...

You may want to consider a whole house water treatment system if the water quality is a concern. The Steamist steam generator can operate in conjunction with a water softener. It is important to realize that good water is a condition which is desirable for drinking as well as protecting the plumbing systems, decorative hardware, faucetry and glass from the negative effects of hard water. An automatic drain is also available but not required for the generator. See similar questions...