The primary hard water minerals are magnesium and calcium, while iron and manganese (“the stainers”) can also be found in Halifax water, mostly in private wells. These contaminants can be removed with a water softener and/or a properly specified sediment filter depending on whether the contaminant’s form is in solution or particulate. A water test and analysis will determine the best course of action. If other impurities are confirmed in the water test, they can be removed with other types of water filtration systems.

High Efficiency Water Softener
WATER SOFTENER CONSIDERATIONS
A water softener effectively removes dissolved forms of iron & manganese and hardness minerals from the water. To remove particulate iron or manganese, water filtration utilizing a cartridge filter with proper micron rating will be effective. Selecting an appropriate micron rating and style of filter can be determined by a water treatment professional based on water test results and other symptoms. For more information on Iron and Manganese in water, see our published articles in Water Technology Magazine at the following link: http://publications/.

Dissolved Iron Staining
Hard water interferes with many cleaning tasks, from doing the laundry to washing dishes to taking a shower. Washing your hair in hard water may leave it feeling sticky and dull. Dishes and glasses get spotted and a film may build up on shower doors, bathtubs, sinks and faucets. Clothing can look dingy and feel rough and scratchy. Hard water can also cause a residue to build-up in pipes that can lower water pressure. For more detail on hard water, see the link at: https:/gov/edu/hardness.html.

Damaging Scale
OTHER AFFECTS OF IRON, MANGANESE & HARD WATER
Scale from hard water can build-up inside water heaters insulating the temperature sensor inside the tank creating extra work to bring the temperature up to the set level. This reduces the life of your hot water heater and will likely require early replacement. Some other affects of these contaminants include corrosion and scaling inside pipes and major staining throughout the home’s showers, bathtubs, and sinks. For those using their well water for lawn irrigation, iron and manganese can cause major staining of walkways, siding and anyplace the water touches. See the link at http://lawn-irrigation/.

Dissolved Iron Staining
BAD TASTES & ODORS, SEDIMENT
In addition to the above systems, there are many other types of systems to remove bad tastes & odors, sediment and many other objectionable minerals and contaminants in the water. Starting with a water test will dictate the right approach. For more information on common bad odors & tastes in New England water supplies, see the link at http://bad-odor-taste/.