Hard Water Drinking Tap? The 68 Latest Answer

The term “hard water” doesn’t equate to the refreshing, clean, smooth-flowing feeling that most people associate with water. Our water experts at Culligan are often asked, “What is hard water?” While some homeowners are unfamiliar with the term, many are all too familiar with the effects of hard water. That’s why many people notice dry hair, irritated skin, or why dishes have stubborn stains even after the rinse cycle.

What does hard water contain?

You may be dealing with hard water and not even knowing it. If you’ve ever spent time removing water stains from your surfaces, faucets and shower walls, chances are you’ve already encountered hard water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hard water refers to the amount of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other minerals found in the water.

Concerned about hard water and how it can affect you and your home? Diagnose your water problems and get recommended solutions with our Water Solutions Finder.

Here’s what happens: On its way to your faucet, your water can collect minerals from the various sources it comes into contact with. Water can collect dissolved particles from lakes, wells and pipes. Even after the water has been treated at local water treatment centers (if you don’t have well water), the tiny minerals can persist — or, if removed, can find their way back through the aging water infrastructure in your town, city, or home.

Now that we’ve covered where it comes from, what are the side effects of hard water?

What Are the Signs of Hard Water in Your Home?

Finding out if your house has hard water might be easier than you thought. Hard well water and hard water from other sources are very common. A large portion of the US population deals with some form of hard water from their water sources.

You may have been dealing with hard water in your home for years and not quite sure what it was, only that your home seems to be showing more wear and tear than others.

What are the disadvantages of hard water?

Your home’s water is probably hard if you notice the following:

Mineral buildup on your shower head and faucets

The places in your home where water is common can build up a mineral layer and may need constant cleaning. Those who live in homes with hard water spend more time removing mineral buildup from their faucets, showerheads, and sinks.

Stains on your crockery and cutlery Stains on your crockery and cutlery

Even after thorough rinsing, crockery and cutlery may still have a white film or stains on them. The excess minerals in hard water remain on your dishes after drying and require additional cleaning to remove the remaining residue.

residue on your surfaces

Hard water drying on the shower door, countertop or sink leaves streaks and stains. Cleaning hard water residue requires extra work because the minerals in the water reduce the effectiveness of your cleaning soap.

Mineral deposits in your pipes or even clogged pipes

Hard water is not good for plumbing, and constant contact with hard water can cause scale. Left untreated, these deposits can even clog drains and affect your water quality.

Devices break faster

The pipes and valves that carry the water in your refrigerator, water heater, washing machine and dishwasher are equally affected by hard water. Mineral deposits in hard water can clog your equipment, reducing its effectiveness and potentially leading to expensive replacement and repair costs. Your linens and linens can also discolor and wear out with each wash.

More expensive and additional cleaning

Hard water keeps your soaps and detergents from being as effective. The minerals in hard water react with soap. If you’ve found yourself using quite a bit of soap to create suds, more detergent to get your clothes clean, or buying more detergent to get more stains out, chances are your home has hard water.

Is Hard Water Bad For You?

You may be wondering, “Can hard water make you ill?” Hard water isn’t dangerous, and while it contains excess minerals that might make it taste unpleasant, it’s generally safe to drink. But just because drinking it doesn’t harm your health doesn’t mean that hard water doesn’t have a negative impact on the rest of your body.

What Are the Signs of Hard Water for Your Body?

Hard water robs hair and skin of moisture. Minerals tend to coat, leaving a film and reducing moisture.

Your hair is also attacked by hard water and may not feel cleaner after washing. It may become stiff or limp and fall out more easily. You might even find that your hair still has shampoo in it after you wash it, no matter how hard you scrub. If this sounds familiar, it’s probably because your hair is exposed to the harsh particles in hard water.

Your skin suffers the same effects of hard water: difficulty in properly cleaning, excessive drying, and even worsening of sensitive skin conditions. The mineral particles left behind by the water absorb your skin’s natural oils and unbalance your skin’s natural processes. (Read more about how hard water affects hair, skin and nails here.)

While hard water is unlikely to cause any health problems or make you ill, the problems hard water brings to your home can still be costly and energy intensive.

How do you treat hard water?

A water softener is the best solution to removing these harsh minerals from your water and keeping your home running smooth and clean.

Whether you’re concerned about your appliances, plumbing, or family, a water softener solves many of the difficulties that hard water brings to your home. With a water softening system, you ensure your home is cleaner, has longer-lasting appliances, and saves resources and time from less intense mineral buildup.

Looking for a hard water solution? Add a home

water softening system

to correct the negative effects of hard water.

If the tap water in your home has a bitter, metal-like taste, chances are the water is hard. While you might assume that the aging of the plumbing in your home might have changed the taste of the water, there are many ways to tell if the water is hard from the supplier’s side or not.

In what way can you ask yourself? Read the most common signs that you are getting hard water:

1) Stomach discomfort:

Drinking hard water regularly over a long period of time can cause stomach problems. Total dissolved solids (TDS) levels are typically high in hard water; these dissolved solids are not easily broken down. Therefore, the complexity involved in digesting these dissolved solids can lead to persistent abdominal pain. Aside from stomach pain, there are a number of health complications like kidney stones that hard water can cause if you drink it for a long period of time. Therefore, it is important to treat hard water before using it for drinking and cooking.

2) Stubborn White Spots:

If you notice white spots on utensils and hard-to-clean metal pipes and faucets, it’s an indication that the water you’re using is hard. Hard water contains many minerals; the mineral residues harden over time and form stubborn stains. Not only does this detract from the overall look of utensils, but it also clogs faucets and pipes.

3) Dry Skin:

Another easy way to tell if you have hard water in your home or not is skin dryness. If your skin feels dry and rough after a shower, you probably have hard water. If you notice brittleness on your palms after using tap water, chances are the water has a high mineral content.

4) Clothes fade:

If you have hard water at home, your clothes will suffer too. Hard water will fade the colors of clothing, especially single-layer lightweight clothing such as t-shirts, tank tops, curtains, and bed sheets. Also, hard water will cause the texture of your clothes to become rough. If you notice your clothes wearing out too quickly, this is an indication that you have hard water at home.

Turn hard water into pure drinking water

A simple and inexpensive way to treat hard water in your home is to install a Kutchina water purifier. As one of the best water purification brands in India, we use some of the leading water purification technologies. Our water conditioners are suitable for every budget. Our water purifier models are a worthwhile purchase as they come with a range of beneficial features such as automatic cleaning, filter maintenance alert, mineral candle, dedicated display, easy to use controls, durable body design and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). reduction. Discover the best price for water purifiers in India at https://www.kutchina.com/product-category/water-purifiers/

How can I soften my shower water?

Are you frustrated after spending lots of money on different shower filters that don’t give you the results you want? If you’re tired of dry, itchy skin, dull hair, and water stains on your shower doors and walls, it’s time to soften your shower water.

One of the options is to install a shower head water filter. These types of softeners can cost around $200. If that’s a route you’re interested in, beware of some shower filters that claim to soften water but can’t chemically alter it.

These types of softeners can cost around $200. If that’s a route you’re interested in, beware of some shower filters that claim to soften water but can’t chemically alter it. Aside from installing a showerhead filter, you can also add bath salts or baking soda to your baths to counteract hard water dehydration, but then you would be taking a bath instead of a shower.

Keep in mind that these solutions will not help you with any other problem that hard water causes. If you experience the negative effects of hard water, such as B. Clothes that look and feel dingy after washing, constant limescale build-up in your bathroom and dishes plagued by water stains, installing a shower head water filter will not help solve these problems.

Instead of trying to take shortcuts when dealing with water hardness levels in your home, consider installing a whole-home water softening system that will deliver long-lasting results! For example, an Aquatell water softener can help eliminate the problems caused by hard water throughout the home. A water softener removes hard water minerals at the point where all water enters your home, ensuring your whole home is treated and not just the shower.

Do shower filters soften water?

Using a water softener showerhead should make your skin and hair look better, right? Why can’t you see any difference after using such a water softener? Well the truth is that a shower head filter cannot actually function as a water softener!

Let’s explain why. To soften water you need to use a large amount of resin, much larger than could ever fit in a filter the size of your hand. Even if resin were ever put into a shower filter cartridge, it was such a small amount that it would only soften the water for a few minutes, then it would never soften water again as you would not be able to regenerate it.

If you are not convinced that a shower filter cannot soften water, try a hard water test kit and it will show no difference in water hardness after adding a shower filter. Only a plasticizer can remove the hardness minerals

Simply put, there is not enough time to soften the water. Water softening is a lengthy process.

This is how efficient water softeners do it:

Hard water enters the water softener from your water supply line. Tiny globules (containing sodium) in the resin bed exchange the hard water minerals, removing them from the water and onto the resin bed Calcium and Magnesium When the resin globules are loaded with hard water minerals, it’s time for the regeneration process. During regeneration, the brine is pumped through the resin tank. The brine solution and hard water minerals are flushed from the tank to a nearby drain or for reuse before the softening process begins again.

As you can see, every efficient system goes through a regeneration sequence. Even if the showerhead water filter were to work initially, the beads used would be loaded with minerals in a short period of time and would be virtually useless without regeneration.

So how do you soften water?

Now that we have explained why using showerhead water filters is not a viable solution to get soft water, let’s take a look at some of the total water filtration solutions for the home.

reverse osmosis filtration systems

Reverse osmosis water filtration is one of the best water treatments available for homes. This system not only removes the hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) in the water, but also the exchanged sodium, which can be important for people with low blood pressure. The end result is healthy and extremely clean tap water.

A reverse osmosis system forces the water through multiple filter media until almost all of the elements present in the water are removed from it. It can be said that this filtration system essentially purifies the water.

Magnetic water purifier

Magnetic water conditioners are not the same as water softeners, but they do reduce the effects of hard water to some extent. In fact, if your water source isn’t very heavy, these may be just what you’re looking for.

When these units stick to the waterline, they create a magnetic field. When the hard water passes the magnetic field, the impurities and salts in the water change their molecular composition. Therefore, instead of gluing them together and attaching them to the pipes and appliances in your home, the calcium and magnesium molecules are still present in the tap water but are free to flow down the drain.

Keep in mind that if the water source is very hard, the magnetic field generated by the conditioners is not strong enough to change the behavior of each calcium and magnesium molecule and you may not notice a difference when using a conditioner. On the other hand, if your water is not very hard, using a magnetic conditioner could be the cheapest solution to your water softening problem.

Salt-free water filter

Salt-free water softeners work in a similar way to the magnetic conditioners discussed above. These systems connect to your home’s water main and produce a wide range of frequencies.

When water passes through these frequencies, the molecular structures of calcium and magnesium also change. By changing their structure, these elements don’t tend to bind to each other, allowing water to flow freely without causing scale build-up on your equipment.

Even if the water does not produce scale, this does not mean that the calcium and magnesium ions are not present in it. So in a way it can be said that these systems do not soften the water at all. However, the results are there, and you won’t have to use as much soap to wash, and your bathroom will look cleaner than ever.

sodium water softener

Salt-based water softeners are by far the most popular route homeowners have taken to soften hard water. One of the reasons they are so popular is that they are extremely efficient and inexpensive. These softeners are typically inexpensive and provide a long-lasting, whole-home water softening solution. Basically, a salt-based water softener works to remove high concentrations of calcium and magnesium from water through a process called “ion exchange.” This process “softens” hard water by replacing the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) with sodium chloride (salt). It’s a worthwhile investment that could save you headaches and money.

Benefits of using soft water in your shower

Even if there are no efficient shower heads with water softeners, that does not mean that you should not use soft water when showering. Here is a list of some of the benefits you will experience by showering with soft water instead of hard water.

1) Save on soaps

It may not seem like much, but showering in soft water can reduce your costs. Thanks to the reduced mineral content, the acids in the soap do not stick together, so you use less soap, shower gel and shampoo.

2) More manageable hair

The minerals in the water not only stick to your shower, but also to your hair! It can also make your hair look lifeless and dull right after you wash it. If you shower with soft water, your hair will look more vivid and its color will be better. You may even find that you can manage it more easily.

3) Softer skin

When you wash with hard water, your skin tends to dry out quickly. Even right after washing, the skin can feel like there is residue on it. In some rare cases, using hard water to wash can lead to skin rashes or even eczema. On the other hand, soft water will naturally moisturize your skin. Your skin will not only look better, it will also feel better. The natural oils on your skin give it a little shine and a healthier look.

bottom line

As you can see, a shower head with a water softener is not everything it claims to be. Even if the shower head filter seems to work for a short time, it does not work in the long term because it has no way of regenerating its resin beads, i. H. he cannot flush the calcium and magnesium ions down another drain.

Luckily, there are other water softening solutions you can use to ensure you shower with the softest water! Visit Aquatell today to learn more

How to soften hard water for bathing?

Is hard water good for bathing?

Hard water isn’t as good as soft water for bathing, but unfortunately most homes in Canada have hard water. This is because hard water has a high mineral content of calcium and magnesium ions, while soft water has fewer of these minerals. Calcium and magnesium ions in hard water react with the soap to form an insoluble compound called suds that prevents a clean lather. This means you need more soap to get clean and the bathtub gets a white dirty stain around it from the leftover soap scum.

A temporary solution to soften hard bath water is to add bath salts. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced with sodium and potassium ions from the salt, making the soap much easier to lather. In addition, the salt and essential oils have a beneficial effect on your skin.

If you’re looking for a longer-term solution, consider installing a whole-home water softener to truly enjoy the benefits of soft water throughout your home.

Why bathing in soft water is better

For most, bathing in soft water is a relaxing experience. A long soak in a warm tub can be the perfect way to end a stressful day, a way to relax your muscles after a hard workout, or to warm up your body after being out in the cold.

While essential oils, bath salts, or bath gels are typically used to soften skin, there may be something stopping these things from fizzing and doing their job – your hard water!

If you find yourself pouring more bath soap into your tub to get the adequate amount of bubbles, you’re not alone! A staggering 85 percent of Canadian homes have hard water, so chances are you’re living with hard water. Not only can hard water cost you more, but it can also contribute to dry skin, brittle hair and clogged pores.

When you have hard water, calcium and magnesium react negatively with the ingredients in your products, such as: B. bath gels, and leave fewer bubbles in your tub.

There are a variety of quick fixes you can try to get your blisters back, but the problem will never be completely solved until you have a proper water softener.

A water softener will not only create more bubbles, but will keep your water soft, day and night. Hard water can foul your toilets, sinks and water-using appliances, and cause scale in your plumbing and pipes. This slows down the performance of the water in your home.

How do you reduce the water hardness in a bath?

So you experience dry skin, dull hair and frustratingly low shower pressure, yes you suffer the effects of hard water in your home. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Here are some of the quick fix solutions that are usually tried

Bath Salts – Wondering how to naturally soften hard water? Bath salts not only add fragrance to bath water, they also soften it by releasing sodium and potassium ions, which replace the calcium and magnesium that cause water hardness.

Baking Soda – While adding baking soda to your bath won’t chemically soften the water, it will make it feel smoother and leave your skin feeling softer. To try this method, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a tub of water and soak in the bath for about 15 minutes.

– While adding baking soda to your bath doesn’t chemically soften the water, it does make it feel smoother and will cause your skin to feel softer. To try this method, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a tub of water and soak in the bath for about 15 minutes. Install a shower filter – Some shower filters claim to make your skin and hair feel softer by removing chlorine from your water. While this can help offset some of the drying effects of chlorine, keep in mind that faucet filters can’t actually soften bath water.

You may find that some of the methods above help your skin and hair feel less dry. But remember that they are only temporary remedies. Do you really want to add bath salts or baking soda to your bath every time just to avoid hard water? If the answer is no and you are instead looking for a long lasting solution that will soften your water throughout your home and potentially increase your water pressure, Aquatell can help.

What is a water softener?

The solution to the problem is to get rid of calcium and magnesium. Water softening for your entire household increases the quality of your bathrooms. Whole house water softeners come in a variety of sizes and styles to accommodate the size of your home and family. The softener is installed in the basement, garage, utility room, or anywhere water enters the home. All water softeners use the same principle of operation: they exchange the minerals for something else, in most cases sodium, through a process called ion exchange.

Investing in a water softener will save you time, energy and money while protecting your home and property. If you want to learn how an Aquatell water softener can permanently soften your bath water and all other water in your home, contact Aquatell today!

Disclosure: We may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

If you have hard water in your home, you know how frustrating it is to constantly battle water stains on your faucets. The high proportion of minerals in the water leaves unsightly white spots everywhere and can eventually soil the surface. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with hard water, maybe it’s time to hide the stains by changing faucets. But what is the best hard water faucet finish? We did some research to give you the answer.

Any matte faucet finish will hide hard water stains better than a glossy, glossy finish. The white, crusty spots are better concealed on these surfaces. Look for brushed or satin nickel, brass, or bronze. Although the stains on these surfaces are less noticeable, you should clean your faucets regularly to combat stains.

Your faucets are important, so we want to help you keep them looking their best. Read on for an explanation of the different types of faucet finishes, how to eliminate hard water build-up, how to prevent stains, and more.

What is the Best Hard Water Faucet Finish?

Hard water is a term used to describe water with a high level of dissolved minerals. The most common of these minerals are calcium and magnesium. They get into the water at the source and can be eradicated through a softening process that usually involves the use of salt.

Although hard water is considered drinkable, it can be harsh on plumbing and water equipment. Eventually, if the water contains enough minerals, the mechanisms can break down and become clogged. Most people prefer soft water over hard water because mineral-rich water doesn’t lather with soap and your skin can feel dry.

When looking for faucet surfaces that work well with hard water, we look for materials that are water-free and easy to clean. A matte finish is best for this. The matte finishes include anything that is described as brushed or satin. Watermarks tend to blend in with the matte materials.

Polished surfaces, on the other hand, are generally shiny. Watermarks are white and have a crusty look, meaning they stand out on glossy surfaces. They need to be cleaned and polished frequently to keep their shine.

Are you looking for more types of faucet finishes? Check out this article: 18 Bathroom Faucet Styles (by finishes, handle options, and installation).

Silver matte

Brushed or satin finishes are available in a variety of metals including nickel, stainless steel, bronze and brass. Our favorite hard water finish is brushed nickel, like the faucet below.

Click here to view this faucet on Amazon.

Brushed nickel is named after its processing. A wire brush will scuff the nickel and dull its luster. These abrasions vary from finish to finish, so you can get a completely different look. Brushed nickel is actually a plating over another metal (usually zinc or brass) so sometimes a deep enough abrasion can reveal some of the gold colors underneath.

Satin nickel looks very similar to brushed nickel and differs mainly in the way it is made. Instead of a wire brush to remove its shine, the nickel goes through a process called electrolysis. It is generally cheaper than brushed nickel. It’s less shiny than other metals, but still looks bright and clean.

Click here to view this faucet on Amazon.

gold matte

Silver finishes are easier to coordinate with a variety of decor schemes. For example, any cool-toned bathroom (white, blue, silver, etc.) will look great with silver hardware. However, if you’re looking for a warmer or more colorful look, you might be interested in golden metal finishes.

The bathroom below, for example, is full of white, grey, silver and black. The designer used the faucets to contrast with these cool colors and it looks great. The faucets add a lot of color to the room.

For hard water homes, satin gold—either brass or bronze—looks gorgeous. They show less water retention than polished gold and make the bathroom more colorful than matte silver.

Click here to view this faucet on Amazon.

This brushed brass finish still offers plenty of shine without being overpowering.

Click here to view this faucet on Amazon.

Which faucet is the easiest to clean?

Another reason matte faucets work best for hard water is that they’re easier to clean. Trying to clean polished metal can be frustrating because it’s so streaky. Matte materials, on the other hand, resist streaks. Satin or brushed metal can be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner.

Another tip: avoid black matte faucets if you have hard water all the time. Although matte, the white markings stand out against the dark surface.

Another important factor when choosing a faucet is the size and style. Read this article for more information: How far should bathroom fixtures extend?

How do you protect your hard water faucets (to prevent stains)?

The best way to avoid true stains is to clean your faucets frequently. This is cumbersome, but better than having to fight stubborn stains later. Use a general bathroom cleaning solution at least weekly.

Another way to avoid water stains on faucets is to dry them immediately after use. Stains and marks appear as the water dries. The evaporation process dries out the water but leaves the minerals behind. Wiping will also remove the minerals. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to reach all parts of the faucet that get wet. Also, having to wipe the faucet every time you use it is inconvenient.

Do you have a water softener for your home? A water softener is a machine that uses salt to combat mineral buildup in water. If you use well water, you should definitely consider a quality water softener. If you are using your community water, a softener should not be necessary.

Have you noticed harder water in your home lately? Your fabric softener may not be working. Ask a professional plumber to take a look.

How do you get rid of limescale?

A safe, natural way to get rid of hard water build-up is with a solution of water, vinegar, dish soap, and lemon juice. Mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle, then add a squeeze of lemon juice (to balance the minerals) and a drop of dish soap. Spray the solution onto the faucets and leave on for up to twenty minutes, depending on the severity of the stains. Then scrub the faucet with a rag or sponge. Don’t use an abrasive scrubber, as this can damage the finish of your faucet.

Sometimes the accumulation of minerals in the spout of the faucet can cause the water to be pressurized in strange ways, causing the water to spout out incorrectly. Fix this problem by unscrewing the spout of the faucet and leaving it in a bowl with the solution above. The vinegar and lemon juice will eat through the calcium. Even more beneficial, these substances help prevent future deposits.

If you wish, there are products on the market designed to get rid of calcium and magnesium deposits like the one below. Always follow the directions on the product for the best results.

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

Finally

If you constantly struggle with hard water stains and buildup, consider installing frosted faucets. Look for brushed or satin nickel, brass, or bronze. Make sure to clean the faucet regularly to keep this buildup from turning into stains. If possible, dry the hard water off quickly so that the minerals do not stick to the surface.

We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about which faucets to install in your home. Much luck!

Hard water is probably something you’ve heard of before, but do you know exactly what it is? Hard water occurs when magnesium and calcium are present in your plumbing system – these minerals cause a number of problems that, while not necessarily unhealthy, can negatively impact your quality of life as well as the health of your plumbing system.

The right water treatment system in Tampa, FL – especially a water softener – can make all the difference. Read on to learn about 7 negative effects hard water can have and how a water softener can help.

1. Limescale deposits on sanitary fittings and devices

If you notice this, you most likely have hard water. Mineral deposits show up not only on your faucets and shower heads, but also on appliances like your coffee maker and dishwasher. These deposits are not only unsightly, but can give your water a foul taste.

2. Dry skin and hair

Due to the excess calcium and magnesium in water, showering can leave your skin feeling dry and your hair feeling slimy right after you step out of the shower. The water is unable to nourish your skin or hair. So drying both can leave your skin feeling cracked and your hair feeling brittle.

3. Faded clothing

Hard water also affects your washing machine. Hard water removes the dye from your clothes much faster than treated water. Your clothes and bedding may even feel scratchy due to the added mineral substance.

4. Stained sinks and bathtubs

The mineral residue from hard water can certainly start to stain your sinks and bathtubs. While it’s relatively easy to clean, let’s face it – nobody wants to clean their bathroom every day! A water softener solves this problem.

5. Frequent plumbing repairs

Steel pipes don’t handle hard water well at all. They are easily damaged by the accumulation of minerals and eventually your water flow will be affected. This can also lead to corrosion and other pipe problems, leading to frequent need to call for pipe cleaning and pipe repairs.

6. A rise in water bills

When calcium and magnesium build up in your pipes, your plumbing system has to work harder to keep water flowing through. This can lead to a number of problems including leaks and ruptured pipes. Even the smallest leaks can result in gallons of water being lost over the course of a year, contributing to higher water bills.

7. Unsightly dishes

Have you ever noticed white spots on your dishes and glasses when you take them out of the dishwasher? This is caused by hard water and often makes you feel like you need to rinse your dishes. The real solution is to incorporate a water softener into your plumbing system.

Contact IERNA’s Heating & Cooling today to make an appointment to have your professional water softener installed.

Get to the bottom of your water problems once and for all

Once you’ve noticed the signs of hard water in your home, you naturally want to determine the next steps to fixing the problems – and fast. And as a reminder, hard water usually manifests itself in the following ways:

Stained, filmy dishes

Soap that does not foam

Scummy, difficult to clean tubs and showers

Dry, squeaky skin

Accumulated white crusts around faucets, drains and shower heads

The first step in solving hard water problems is to perform a water hardness test so you can find the best water softener solution. Here are a few ways to get you started:

Check with your city

By July 1st each year, you should receive a brief Consumer Confidence Report or Drinking Water Quality Report by mail or online notification from your water utility. The report tells you where your water is coming from and what’s in it, and some reports include your water hardness. If this is not the case for you, you can call your local water authority and they should be able to tell you.

Fast in-home tests

One of the easiest ways to do a hard water test is to bring a clear, clean, empty bottle with a lid, plain liquid soap, and water straight from the faucet without going too far around. Fill the bottle one-third full, add a few drops of pure liquid soap and shake vigorously for a few seconds. If there are no foamy bubbles and the water appears cloudy and/or milky, your water is hard. Soft water would have plenty of bubbles and the still water at the bottom of the bottle would be clear. Keep in mind that since most soaps are formulated with detergents, they will foam regardless of your water type. For best results, use a base soap like Castile that’s free of dyes, perfumes, and detergents.

Advanced test methods

The water bottle test can work well as a basic assessment, but is not the most accurate way to determine your water hardness. This requires a more sophisticated hard water test. A hard water kit contains test strips and a color chart. You can purchase a test kit at a hardware store for $5-$10 or request a free water test strip from us.

After filling a glass with cold water from your sink, insert the test strip for a few seconds and then remove it. It is also important to note that you should not simply hold the strip under running water as this may produce inaccurate results. If the strip changes color, compare it to the color chart that came with your kit. Each color on the chart corresponds to the hardness of your water, with results measured in grains per gallon (gpg).

Major hardware stores and many online retailers sell additional test kits that can provide a more comprehensive water assessment. These not only test for hardness, but also for alkalinity, chlorine, iron, nitrates and/or pH. To get the most thorough water analysis, you can send a sample to a third-party lab that can test for specific contaminants like heavy metals and bacteria. This is not usually necessary as an in-home kit will provide instant information and results for most water problems. Overall, knowing your water profile can help you choose the appropriate solution for any water issue.

What is your number?

Since over 85% of all homes have some level of hard water, you can use your “number” to see where your hardness is. After testing your water with a strip or kit, the next step is to use your “number” to see how hard your water is. The average hardness in the US is about 13 grains, which is considered “very hard”. Anything over 14 grains is considered “extremely hard”. Even if you don’t live in the high hardness zones, a household begins to see the effects of hard water at around 7 grains of hardness. Once you know your hardness level, you can easily find the right fabric softener for your home with this step-by-step tool.

If you notice that your faucets have chalky white deposits or your dishes get stained sometimes, your house may have hard water. Hard water usually contains a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium or magnesium, which can cause an odd taste or smell. If you want to naturally soften the water in your home, you have a few different options that don’t involve harsh chemicals.

Here are 8 natural ways to soften hard water.

Did you know that up to 90% of US homes have hard water problems?

Granted, hard water isn’t a major health concern, but it can cause mild skin irritation. It’s also more than a nuisance as it can cause long-term corrosion damage in plumbing pipes. Over time, corroded pipes can release toxic chemicals and metals into the water.

That’s why you should start researching the best water softener and hard water solutions for your home now. You no longer have to constantly bathe or shower in water that leaves a “nasty” film on your skin. You also don’t have to put up with wearing clothes that always feel stiff or not clean enough.

Are you ready to learn the most effective ways to deal with hard water? Then let’s get started right away!

1. Boil “temporarily” hard water

Temporarily hard water is hard water that mainly contains calcium bicarbonate. Boiling precipitates the dissolved minerals from the water. Because boiling removes the lime content of the water, the result is softer water.

Decoction is a quick and inexpensive way to fix hard water for consumption. However, it only addresses temporary hardness and not permanent hardness. The latter contains dissolved calcium sulfate, which is not removed by boiling.

2. Remove scum with a hard water cleaning aid

The minerals in hard water react with the chemicals in the soap to create “suds.” Also known as soap scum, soap scum is the white solid deposit you find on water faucets. It also tends to build up on sinks, drains, tiles, shower doors, and bathtubs.

Soap foam forms due to the positively charged calcium atoms in the water. These atoms prevent soap molecules from dissolving. Instead, the undissolved soap molecules attach to surfaces and accumulate.

To address these hard water side effects, use a cleaning formula designed for hard water. These products contain a solution that counteracts the positive calcium atoms in hard water. They make rinsing off soap easier, preventing suds from forming in the first place.

3. Use washing soda when doing laundry

Using washing soda is one of the best techniques to treat hard water for washing. It is a type of chemical composed of carbonic acid salt (sodium carbonate). It helps soften hard water both temporarily and permanently.

Put simply, washing soda removes the calcium and magnesium dissolved in hard water. Removing these mineral ions from the water results in softer water. This makes foaming soap easier.

4. Apply some distilled white vinegar to remove hard water stains

Calcium is basic in nature, meaning its pH is above 7. White spirit vinegar, on the other hand, is very acidic, having a pH of around 2.5. In this way, vinegar can help neutralize the calcium content of hard water.

You don’t want to dump boatloads of vinegar in your drinking water, though, do you? This is why using vinegar as a water softener is ideal for cleaning only. You can also use it as a cleaning aid for hand washing clothes.

You can soak scale-infested faucets in a bowl of distilled vinegar for at least an hour. You can also spray some vinegar on equipment and surfaces to remove hard water film and stains.

5. Consider a magnetic water purifier

Magnetic water purifiers use a magnetic field to purify water. No, they do not completely soften the water. However, they may already be suitable for households with slightly to moderately hard water.

These devices are usually connected to the mains water supply. Their magnetic field changes the properties of impurities in the water.

These changes lead, for example, to mineral ions separating from one another. This makes it harder for them to stick together and form scale on surfaces. The minerals will still be in the water, but they will drain rather than settle.

6. Install a faucet water softener

The easiest and most convenient way to fix hard water is to use a water softener. To keep your installation costs down, you can choose to buy just a faucet or an undercounter softener.

Sodium or potassium chloride based plasticizers

Most softening systems use crystalline substances such as sodium or potassium chloride. This solution contains and suspends a plasticizing medium, which in most cases is some type of resin. These softeners rely on a process called “ion exchange”.

The ion exchange takes place as the water flows through the softener. This process forces the mineral ions in the water to exchange with the chloride ions in the softener. The minerals that harden the water remain in the softener chamber.

This exchange or removal of the mineral ions then results in softer water.

Salt-free water softeners

Your other option is to install a salt-free water softener. Instead of “ion-exchanging,” mineral ions are converted into very small crystals. This then causes the crystallized minerals to become suspended in the water.

With a salt-free softener, the water retains its calcium and magnesium content. However, the mineral ions cannot “stick” to surfaces. This can then help reduce the risk of limescale build-up on your fittings and plumbing.

These devices do not use salt, but instead convert calcium ions into nanocrystals. This crystallization then suspends the calcium ions in the water. They remain in the water but do not come into contact with any other surface.

7. Invest in a whole house water softening system

A whole home water softener combats hard water as soon as it reaches your main water supply line. Every water outlet in your home produces softened water. It’s a big investment, but one that’s worth it as you get soft water in every part of your home.

Implement these hard water solutions now

There you have it, the ultimate list of hard water solutions to use at home. If you only have slightly hard water, a magnetic water conditioner may suffice. For harder water, it may be best to install a water softening system under the sink or throughout the home.

If you choose the latter, you should be assured that the device will come with a long warranty. Some manufacturers even offer a lifetime warranty, so be sure to check for such offers as well.

Are you looking for more guides like this one to improve the livability and security of your home? Then be sure to visit the lifestyle section of our website!

While tap water supply in the United States is better than in most other countries, some regions get hard water. Well water (and water from aquifers) is often hard and must be filtered before use. However, not all Brita water filters can soften hard water.

Brita water filters do not soften water. Brita filter jugs, bottles and faucet filters use carbon cartridges to improve taste and smell and remove heavy metals. However, they cannot remove dissolved salts such as calcium and magnesium. The Brita PRO Home System can be used to soften water.

To understand why Brita filters don’t soften water, let’s first look at what hard water is. I also show you how you can soften water and what Brita filters are actually useful for.

What is hard water?

The water hardness describes the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. The harder the water, the more magnesium and calcium salts it contains. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a calcium carbonate concentration in water of 61-120 mg/L as moderately hard, 121-180 mg/L as hard and above 180 mg/L as very hard.

Naturally hard water occurs when water flows through underground mineral rocks, as in the case of wells and aquifers. In fact, the tap water in Arizona, Colorado, California, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming all comes from hard water.

Hard water does not foam easily and feels slimy. It also leaves a scaly buildup on appliances, plumbing, furniture, and household items.

In contrast, softened water contains low concentrations of magnesium and calcium. Softened water leaves no limescale deposits and foams easily. Rainwater is naturally soft.

Do Brita filters soften hard water?

Conventional Brita filters such as faucet filters, filter jugs, dispensers and water bottles do not soften hard water significantly. These Brita devices mainly use activated carbon cartridges to filter water.

Activated carbon filters work according to the adsorption principle – impurities stick to the surface of the activated carbon like iron to a magnet.

Adsorption is only effective in removing contaminants such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Chlorine compounds can also be filtered out in activated carbon filters through a chemical reaction – redox.

These carbon filters effectively filter out lead, mercury, benzene, cadmium, asbestos, chlorine (taste and smell), zinc, bisphenol and other chemicals. However, they are ineffective at filtering out calcium and magnesium salts (sulphates, chlorides and carbonates).

Brita makes no claim to soften water through their traditional filters (Standard, Longlast or Stream). Although Brita uses an ion exchange filter, their filters can remove metals such as cadmium and copper. The same mechanism does not work with calcium and magnesium.

So running hard water through a Brita filter will not soften your water.

However, the Brita PRO home system can soften water. More information about this system can be found later in this post.

Can I use hard water through a Brita filter?

Hard water can be used in a Brita filter. However, the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water build up scale over time. Scale (or scale) can build up on the filter and in the filter housing area of ​​the Brita pitcher, bottle and dispenser. The filter device can be carefully cleaned and descaled, but the mineral damage to the filter is permanent and must be replaced.

Using hard water through a conventional filter typically requires more frequent filter changes than is normally recommended by the manufacturer.

If you think you may need to replace your filter, just click the link below to check them out on Amazon

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Finally

electricity

If you don’t clean your filter device often, you may find debris inside that has slowed down the filtering process.

It is therefore not advisable to let very hard water run through a conventional Brita filter in the long term. In fact, we don’t recommend using hard water in appliances (especially humidifiers) or to clean your home.

How do you soften hard water?

Water can be chemically softened with ion exchange resins. Normally placed in special ion exchange columns, ion exchange resin beads exchange the calcium and magnesium in hard water for sodium and potassium salts, softening the water. Ion exchange columns usually come with two tanks – the resin tank and the brine tank. The brine tank replenishes the resin tank with enough sodium to replace the hard water ions.

Because ion exchange uses table salt (containing sodium ions) to soften the water, you will need to frequently replace the salt in the brine tank.

Depending on the type of water you have, you can also soften hard water at home. Water with dissolved calcium bicarbonate is said to be temporarily hard – meaning it can be softened by simply boiling the water.

However, when this water boils, the salt forms a crusty layer of limescale – which leads to flaking.

Persistently hard water contains dissolved calcium sulfate that cannot be removed by boiling.

You can use RO purifiers to partially reduce water hardness, as RO filtration effectively removes the most dissolved contaminants in water. Distillation can also be used as an effective softening method.

What about water conditioners?

Some softeners claim to be salt-free because a high concentration of sodium in the water (after softening) can be harmful to your health. However, non-salt “softeners” only condition the water – they do NOT remove minerals or change the hardness. They merely prevent flaking by inactivating salt molecules.

For example, an electric/magnetic water softener passes a current or magnetic field through the water to break down the dissolved salt molecules and prevent limescale build-up.

Salt-free conditioners such as TAC (Template-Assisted Crystallization) or NAC (Nucleation-Assisted Crystallization) systems convert mineral salts into crystals so that they do not form deposits. This does not change the water hardness.

Is there a special Brita filter to soften water?

The Brita PRO Home Water Softening System can be used to soften water at home.

When you sign up for a Brita PRO system, your home water usage is profiled over four weeks to predict the right amount of water you need to soften at any given time. Then a specific plan will be recommended to you. This filtration plan accounts for the removal of lead, chlorine, particulates, and other contaminants in your supply.

If your water profile indicates hard water, a home system with an ion exchange softener will be installed to soften the water.

This fabric softener is certified to the NSF/ANSI 44 standard.

It features a programmable head to regulate ion exchange, ensuring you have soft water at all times. You can also adjust the filter to optimize the brine tank refill process. This filter comes with additional filters according to your home water needs.

Which Brita filter is best for hard water?

Brita filter pitchers, bottles, dispensers and faucet filters are not recommended for very hard water. These filters do not soften the water and the scale build-up caused by hard water can require more frequent filter changes. With the Brita PRO home filters, however, hard water can be softened and made drinkable.

Another alternative is to invest in an Epic Nano Filter Jug. These water filter jugs are able to remove dissolved calcium and magnesium ions from the water.

You can read about them in this in-depth post here

Do Brita water filters make the water more alkaline?

Brita filters do not make the water more alkaline. Brita filter jugs, bottles, dispensers and faucet filters do not change the pH of the water. Neutralizing filters and solutions, and water ionizers are the only methods that can increase water alkalinity.

The alkalinity of water refers to its ability to neutralize acids and is measured by its pH. According to the EPA, drinking water should ideally have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5.

Some studies have shown that drinking alkaline water has health benefits, but the results are inconclusive.

The pH of water can be changed by changing the concentration of mineral ions in the water. The more acidic components in the water are neutralized by adding basic ions, the more basic the water becomes.

The Water Purification Guide has this in-depth post for more information on how to change the pH of water.

However, since conventional Brita filters do not change the water hardness (through ion exchange), they do not make the water more alkaline. This means that Brita filters do not change the pH value of the water. The Brita PRO Home Water System can be customized to make drinking water more alkaline.

For more information on water softeners, see this post: 14 reasons why you need a water softener

Other helpful information on Brita filters:

Depending on where you live, you may have heard the terms “hard water” and “soft water.” If you live in areas like the Northeast, you are most likely blessed with soft water and have never had to deal with the headaches and expense of hard water. However, if you live in other areas like the Midwest, where some of the toughest waters in the country exist, then you know what a nuisance it is. So what is hard water and why is it so bad? The degree of hardness of the water depends on the number of minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are present. How does it look? You will see white chalky mineral stains on your water faucets as well as stains on your glasses after washing. You may also notice reduced water pressure as the calcium in the water is causing scale build up in your plumbing. There are no dangerous health risks from drinking hard water, but it can dry out your skin and hair after you shower. Additionally, if you constantly wash your clothes in hard water, your clothes will feel stiff, not to mention that colors will fade and dull much faster than with soft water.

How do you treat hard water? The most common way to treat hard water is to use a water softener. This is a water filtration system that filters out the hard water minerals from your water. As the water enters the filter, it passes through a resin bed that traps calcium and magnesium, which are then replaced with sodium ions. The process is called ion exchange. A water softener needs salt to work properly. A separate storage tank is required to transport water softener salt. This is called the brine tank. There is a regeneration process where the water from the brine tank goes into the water softener tank with the sodium ions, cleaning the bottom and flushing the hard minerals out of the system. Learn more about water softeners

Are there any disadvantages to using a water softener?

If you have hard water, a water softener will bring you immediate benefits that you will notice. The most important thing is that it prevents limescale deposits in your fittings and pipes. Your water pressure will improve and your dishes will be cleaner. It also gives you softer skin, lighter clothes and a little-known fact, but with soft water you can use a lot less soap when washing your dishes or laundry as soap foams up much more easily compared to hard water. With all that said, there are a few downsides. As I said before – a water softener needs salt to work properly. That means you need to buy water softening salt on a regular basis. Water softening salt isn’t too expensive, but you still need to factor in these extra costs. If you are environmentally conscious, you should also know that a water softener wastes about 20 to 25 gallons of water during the regeneration process, helping you live with a larger carbon footprint. Although soft water is still considered a low-sodium beverage, it still contains some sodium due to the ion exchange process. If you have high blood pressure and use a water softener, consider drinking bottled water or investing in some form of water purification such as a reverse osmosis system to remove the sodium. So the process isn’t perfect, but overall, the benefits of a water softener far outweigh the downsides.

Are there alternatives to a water softener?

While a water softener is the most common product used to treat hard water, there are other options – number one is a water conditioner. Rather than removing hard water minerals from water, a water purifier changes the composition of the minerals so they don’t stick to your plumbing and instead are flushed down your drain. So while it doesn’t really give you “soft water”, it still solves the main problem with limescale deposits in your plumbing. Other pluses include the fact that you don’t have to worry about buying and refilling the system with salt to make it work properly as it doesn’t produce soft water. And because there’s no salt, you don’t have to worry about drinking water with even a small amount of sodium in it. Another advantage is that there is no regeneration process, so you do not waste water compared to a water softener. So yes, a water conditioner can be a good alternative to a water softener and does the most important thing – preventing limescale. However, we should note a few disadvantages. Again, since you’re not actually creating soft water, this means you won’t get all the benefits, such as: B.: No more mineral stains on your dishes after washing.

Use less soap in your laundry and dishwasher

Clothing that stays lighter after multiple washes

Softer skin from bathing in less rough water Finally, like a water softener, the benefits of a conditioner outweigh the cons and can be a good alternative if you choose to do so. Find out more about the salt-free water conditioner

Conclusion

Hard water doesn’t harm you physically, but if you’re a homeowner, it can be a nuisance and even cost you financially later. The benefits of making water softer with a water softener is usually the best option, but if you don’t want to buy salt or have high blood pressure, a salt-free water conditioner is also a good option. If you’re not sure how hard your water is, you can look up your city government’s report online, or if you have well water, you can have a professional water test like the one we offer here at US Water Systems. If you have questions about water softeners or anything related to water treatment, please call us at 1-800-608-8782 or visit our website at uswatersystems.com. We’re here to help.

New Jersey offers some of the purest and safest drinking water anywhere. However, it remains important to understand the impact of potential contaminants on public water supplies and private wells. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Drinking Water and Public Health Project educates the public and works with regulators to provide clean and safe drinking water for New Jersey residents. This project is a joint activity with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

If you have any questions, please contact the Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance Program.

If you belong to a risk group or live in a city where the water quality is compromised, there are alternatives:

Bottled water

Bottled water can be a good temporary solution if your tap water is contaminated, but only if you choose a quality-tested brand. The FDA regulates bottled water as a foodstuff, which means source identification and allowable levels of contaminants are required, standards of good manufacturing practice are required for cooking and bottling, and labeling is regulated. However, the FDA is unable to oversee a mandatory testing program like the EPA does with public water utilities; It can only initiate a recall if a problem has been identified – so there is no guarantee that every bottle sold is safe.

In 1999, the NRDC conducted 1,000 separate tests of more than 100 brands of bottled water and concluded that bottled water is not necessarily purer or safer than city tap water, and some brands even contained elevated levels of arsenic, bacteria or other pollutants.

In addition, bottled water costs hundreds or thousands of times more per gallon than tap water. So when making the investment, choose a trusted brand. The International Bottled Water Association links to major brands’ quality reports.

You should also consider the environmental impact a long-term habit of bottled water can have: Aside from the energy and fuel it takes to make bottles, about 75 percent of bottles end up in landfills, lakes, and oceans where they’re not decompose . If your tap water supply isn’t at risk, consider purchasing a refillable bottle instead.

Note: If you prefer carbonated bottled water but are concerned about its reputation for inhibiting calcium absorption, don’t be: there’s no evidence to support this claim.

filter

Filters and bottled water are about the same when it comes to safety and cleanliness. There are four main types:

Activated carbon that can remove certain organic contaminants

Ion exchange units that can remove water-hardening minerals such as calcium and magnesium

Reverse osmosis systems that can remove nitrates, sodium pesticides and petrochemicals

Distillation units that boil water and condense steam, creating distilled water

When you invest in a filter, choose one that will remove the specific contaminants you are concerned about. Also, make sure the filter is independently certified by the Public Health and Safety Organization or a similar organization. Finally, service the filter at least as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Note: If you want to filter all contaminants from all the faucets in your home, you need a point-of-entry filter. Otherwise, a “point-of-use” filter at the kitchen sink will suffice.

Boil

Boiling tap water can be effective, but depends on the pollutants being targeted. High temperatures can kill germs but will not affect lead, nitrates or pesticides. In fact, boiling can increase the concentration of these impurities because it causes the volume of water to decrease while the levels of impurities remain constant.

There are two types of water hardness: temporary and permanent. On this page you will find information on temporary water hardness. For information and calculation of permanent hardness click here.

The temporary hardness is due to the presence of calcium hydrogen carbonate Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 (aq) and magnesium hydrogen carbonate Mg(HCO 3 ) 2 (aq).

Both calcium bicarbonate and magnesium bicarbonate decompose when heated. The original insoluble carbonate is reformed. This happens when water is boiled. The precipitation reactions are as follows:

As you can see, boiling the water causes solid calcium carbonate or solid magnesium carbonate to precipitate. This removes the calcium or magnesium ions from the water and thus eliminates the hardness. Therefore, it is said that the hardness due to bicarbonates is temporary.

In general, an increase in water temperature causes an increase in the solubility of most salts. But as you may have understood above, there are exceptions like CaCO 3 , CaSO 4 , MgCO 3 , Mg(OH) 2 , all of which become less soluble with increasing temperature.

Go to the Permanent Water Hardness page.

Let it run… and get out the lead!

What are the health effects of lead?

Lead can cause serious health problems when too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can damage the brain and kidneys and affect the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body.

Infants, young children and pregnant women are most at risk of lead exposure. Scientists have linked lead’s effects on the brain to decreased IQ in children.

Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be more affected by low lead levels than healthy adults. Lead can be stored in the bones and released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which can affect brain development.

What are the sources of lead?

Lead is rarely found in natural water sources such as rivers and lakes or underground aquifers.

You can come into contact with lead through paint, water, dust, soil, food, hobbies, or your job. The most common way for Minnesotans to come into contact with lead is through lead-based paint, which has been found in homes built before 1978. Visit Lead Poisoning Prevention: Common Resources to learn how to reduce your exposure to lead from sources other than your drinking water.

Lead can get into drinking water after it leaves the treatment plant as it flows through your home plumbing system. Homes built before 1940 may have lead pipes connecting them to public water. Plumbing systems built before 1986 may contain lead parts. New “lead-free” plumbing and plumbing may contain as little as 0.25% lead. Brass parts may also contain some lead. Note that many faucets are made of brass, even if they aren’t “brass” in color. The amount of lead that ends up in drinking water depends on many factors, such as: B. the amount of lead in sanitary materials, water chemistry and water consumption.

How can I reduce my exposure to lead in water?

Run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. If you have lead plumbing, run the water for 3-5 minutes. If you don’t have lead plumbing, run the water for 30-60 seconds. The longer water has sat in your pipes, the more lead it can contain. You can find out if you have lead plumbing by contacting your public water supply system or by reading: Do you have lead plumbing in your home?

Ways to let the water run before using it for drinking or cooking: Do household chores like taking a shower or running the dishwasher first. Collect tap water for cleaning or watering plants

Be sure to run the water from individual faucets briefly before using them for drinking or cooking.

Consider keeping a container of drinking water in the fridge to reduce the number of times you need to run the water. Use cold water for drinking, preparing food, and making baby food. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water. Boiling water does not reduce lead levels and can actually increase them. Test your water. The only way to tell if running has reduced lead is to do a test. If running the water doesn’t reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure. Treat your water or find an alternative source if a test shows your water is high in lead after running the water. For more information on water treatment options, see Home Water Treatment.

How do I know if the water in my home has too much lead?

There is no safe lead content. If lead is present in your home environment, you should take steps to reduce your exposure. Many labs can test your water to see if it contains lead. Look for accredited laboratories to purchase a sample container and receive instructions on submitting a sample.

How can I test my child for lead exposure?

If you’re concerned about your child’s lead exposure, call your doctor, local health department, or the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4620 or 800-657-3908 to find out how to get your child tested.

Additional Resources

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