It may be something we overlook but most of us drink tap water every single day. But have we really stopped to consider how good it is to drink? Water from around the world is different and depending where you live, the quality can vary greatly. So, if you're from the Tampa Bay area, then you may want to think about just how good your water really is and if you need to treat it. Here’s everything you need to know about whether you need a water softener living in the Tampa Bay area.

Hard water is a term that is used to identify water that has high levels of dissolved minerals.The hard water is created when water percolates through underground deposits like limestone and chalk. Water is considered hard water when it has mineral particles that exceed over 120 parts per million.

Soft water is free from any harsh chemicals and is believed to be gentle in your body and home. Since soft water does not have harsh chemicals, it can help prevent scale buildup around your home, appliances, and pipes. In addition, it increases the effectiveness of soap.

Does Tampa have hard water?

Tampa has hard water since the Tampa municipal supply fluctuates between 140-300 parts per million. Most of Florida’s drinking water source is underground water and travels over and through the ground. Thus, this causes the water to get naturally occurring minerals like calcium or magnesium, which contributes to its hardness.

For more info on water hardness in Florida cities, check out this table from HydroFlow USA:

Is hard water bad for you?

Hard water can have an effect both on your health and your surrounding environment. The main issue is what hard water can do to your pipes and cleaning activities, as the minerals found in hard water are typically not a major problem to your health.

The calcium that exists in hard water can make general usage of the water unpleasant. It can combine with soap to create soap scum, make dishes cloudy when washed and leave slimy residues behind even after the water is gone.  The bigger problem is what it can do to your pipes. Once the water is heated, it can calcify and leave a hard material that can clog your pipes and leave you with a huge bill.

While hard water minerals like calcium aren’t dangerous to humans, it can be indicative of other chemicals like chlorine in the water.

Should you get a water softener in Tampa?

We recommend that anyone living in the Tampa Bay area get themselves a water softener. Due to the hard water minerals present in local tap water, you will likely run into issues with your pipes and appliances, and that’s not to mention any potential health complications that could arise.

A water softener will provide you with a number of benefits that will go a long way to improving the quality of your life:

• Protect your pipes and appliances, extending their life cycle and reducing costs that would go to replacing them.
• Better for you health
• Improved taste of your drinking water
• No more soap scum or slimy residue
• Cleaner clothes without the need for as much detergent
• Reduction in energy bills as it’s far easier to heat soft water

How do water softeners work?

Water softeners utilize a process referred to as ion exchange, where calcium and magnesium ions are collected by very small resin beads that are charged with either sodium or potassium ions. Essentially, when the calcium and magnesium ions come into contact with the small resin beads, they are collected by the beads and then replaced with sodium or potassium ions, therefore making the water "soft". 

A typical water softener is made of a tall, narrow tank with ashore and wide brine. The softener is connected to the home water supply line. The softeners are then filled with tiny resin beads that are permanently sealed in the tank. The brine tank has a removable lid filled with salt pellets and potassium chloride pellets.

When water gets into the tank, it then percolates through the resin beads. The resin beads have a negative charge, and it then attracts the positively charged minerals found in the water. Once this process is complete, the water is “soft”and ready for use and consumption.

Summary

The people living in Tampa and rely on the water supply from the state have to deal with hard water. Hard water can leave you with a number of issues, it has health implications, can be costly and damaging on your pipes and is generally less pleasant to drink than soft water. So, for people living in the Tampa Bay area, it’s highly recommended that you get yourself a water softener so that you can fully enjoy your next glass of ice cold water.