Living in Las Vegas offers many perks, like easy access to Broadway-style shows, Formula One racing, sporting events, concerts, and a wide selection of dining options. However, one of the major drawbacks is addressing the issues created by Las Vegas’ hard water. Let’s review some frequently asked questions about hard water and what you can do to ensure you have the best quality of water in your home.
Contact us for solutions to Las Vegas’ hard water.
What Is Hard Water?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), hard water is determined by the amount of dissolved magnesium and calcium in the water. The general scale that determines water hardness is as follows:
- Soft water: 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter)
- Moderately hard: 61 to 120 mg/L
- Hard: 121 to 180 mg/L
- Very hard: More than 180 mg/L
The water in Las Vegas and Clark County is rated as very hard as it exceeds 180 mg/L.
What Makes Water Hard?
The amount of calcium, magnesium, and other dissolved minerals is what makes water hard. Hard water can have negative effects on plumbing, appliances, and clothing. More soaps, detergents, and shampoos are also required to achieve the same effects because of the minerals in the hard water.
Why Is Las Vegas Water Hard?
Las Vegas water starts out in the Colorado Rockies and slowly works its way down the mountain, into the Colorado River, and eventually, into Lake Mead. As it moves from the mountains, it absorbs calcium, magnesium, and other minerals as it passes over and through rocks and soil, as well as minerals in the Colorado River.
Is Drinking Hard Water Bad for You?
Drinking hard water has no adverse effects and is perfectly safe as long as it has been treated to remove bacteria, viruses, and potentially harmful materials. The minerals found in hard water are also beneficial to the body. Hard water is more of a nuisance due to the damage it can cause to plumbing systems and appliances.
However, some people dislike the taste of Las Vegas water or the limescale that can be left in it when it has not been treated. Having a water filtration system installed helps remove contaminants from hard water but does not fully remove calcium and magnesium.
Purify your drinking water with reverse osmosis.
How Does Hard Water Affect the Body?
Hard water can affect the skin and hair but generally has no other effects on the body. Hard water changes the pH balance of your hair and skin, which makes it more prone to dryness. Your scalp can feel itchy, and people with a predisposition for dandruff must ensure they use a dandruff shampoo and condition their scalp.
Hard water can also trigger eczema in people at risk for this skin condition. People with eczema have dry skin that becomes itchy, irritated, and red. If you are at risk for dandruff or eczema, installing a whole-home water softener will remove the minerals from hard water.
Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?
There is no supporting evidence of hair loss caused directly by hard water. However, hard water can irritate the scalp, lead to dandruff, and damage the hair, making it more prone to potential loss. Some of the hair damage hard water can contribute toward include:
- Frizzy hair
- Hair breakage
- Hair dryness
If you have concerns about hair damage and potential hair loss, having a water softener installed will remove the minerals that can build up on hair.
Is Hard Water Bad for My Appliances?
Hard water is definitely bad for appliances and shortens their useful lifespans. Limescale is a chalky-like substance that attaches to the interior of plumbing supply lines, water inlets, water outlets, and anywhere else water moves through appliances.
As water evaporates, it leaves limescale deposits that gradually build up more and more. Eventually, the water flow becomes restricted through the appliance from continued limescale deposits. You can tell if you have limescale buildup if there are white, pink, gray, or brownish-red deposits on water intakes and water outlets.
Hard water is especially bad on water heaters. The limescale builds up inside the tank on heating elements. Over time, the limescale reduces the water heating efficiency of the water heater and creates sediment that accumulates in the bottom of the tank.
How Does Hard Water Affect Clothing?
Hard water leaves small amounts of mineral deposits on clothing each time it is washed, which causes the following effects:
- Clothing, towels, and sheets can start to feel stiff and less soft
- White closes can experience yellowing
- Colors fade more quickly
- Detergent residue builds up on clothing because it does not fully dissolve
How Can I Tell if My Water Is Hard?
There are several things you can look for that could indicate your water is hard, such as:
- White spots left on dry dishes
- Visible white, pink, or brownish-red deposits around sinks, faucets, and fixtures
- You notice a reduction in water pressure coming out of fixtures
- Your skin and scalp feels dry and itchy
- Testing the water
If you live in the Las Vegas area, your home will have hard water unless you have installed a water softener system or it came with one.
How Do I Test for Hard Water?
You have several different options to test for hard water, including:
- Soap suds test: Take a water bottle and fill it a third full with water. Add 10 drops of dish soap and put the cap on the bottle. Shake the bottle and see how easily the suds form and how long they remain. Hard water will not allow the suds to form as easily. The suds will also break down much faster compared to soft water.
- Hard water test strips: A quick and easy test is to use hard water test strips, which will give you an idea of the hardness level of your water.
- Check the Las Vegas Valley Water District Water Quality Report: The Las Vegas Valley Water District releases an annual water quality report. The report will let you know the hardness level of the water, as well as the levels of various contaminants.
- Have your own test done: You can bring a sample of your tap water into our showroom, and we will test it for you. Our test is fairly comprehensive and lets you know precisely what is in your drinking water.
How Can I Fix Hard Water?
The easiest way to fix hard water in your home is to install a water softening or conditioning system. Water softeners remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that make water hard and soften it.
Water conditioning also softens water and removes chlorines and other chemicals while improving the taste and eliminating odors. The best solution to fix hard water in Las Vegas is a whole-house water softener combined with an appropriate water filtration system to deliver pure, filtered water throughout your home.
What Are the Benefits of Softening Hard Water?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends every home that has hard water have a water softener due to the benefits they provide, including:
- Protects your home’s plumbing system: Pipes, fixtures, and faucets will not become clogged by limescale deposit buildup.
- Appliances last longer: Your appliances will last longer and operate more efficiently.
- Lowers total costs on personal hygiene and cleaning products: When you have soft water, you need less soap, detergent, and shampoo.
- Better for skin and hair: You won’t have to worry about dry skin, eczema, or dandruff with soft water.
- Hot water heaters last longer: Your hot water heater operates more efficiently and lasts longer without scale buildup.
- Easier cleaning: Soft water makes it easier to remove dirt and debris when you clean and also gets your clothes cleaner.
What Is the Difference Between Water Softening and Water Filtration Systems?
Water softeners use ion exchange processes to alter calcium and magnesium ions and transform them into potassium and sodium ions while softening the water. Water filtration systems remove a range of contaminants, such as:
- Chemicals
- Minerals
- Dyes
- Heavy metals
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Salts
- Proteins
- Dissolved organics
By removing these contaminants, your water tastes better and is purified. Most people in Las Vegas have a water softener and then pair it with some type of water filtration system to ensure they address both Las Vegas’ hard water and to ensure they have the purest and best water in their homes.
Find the Best Water Softener for Las Vegas Today
It is easy to find the best water softener at Rain Water Conditioning of Las Vegas. We can custom-create a complete whole-home solution tailored to your specific needs at affordable prices. We also offer repairs and services on water softeners, conditioners, and filtration systems. You can even have us take care of your salt delivery and check your system each time we bring salt to your home.
For further information about our water softener, conditioning, and filtration solutions, please feel free to contact us directly or stop by our showroom today.
See how Rain Water Conditioning of Las Vegas saves you money.
Sources:
Hardness of Water. (2018).
Las Vegas Valley Water District 2024 Water Quality Report. (2024).