This leads to sediment in the milk, and high bacteria counts. To clear turbidity from water the fine particles must be made to group together so they can no longer remain in suspension. Where filters are used the type required will depend upon the type of contamination to be removed. Hard water - minerals and salts Minerals and salts, such as calcium and magnesium carbonates, cause hard water. The water collects these salts as it filters through the soil, hence water hardness is largely determined by the nature of the soil.
Hard water interferes with the action of detergents, and can lead to poor cleaning of equipment.
This increases the number of bacteria in the milking machine. Water can be tested by your local chemical company for hardness. If your water is over this level, then special hard water detergents need to be used. The water used in the dairy should be free of hazardous matter. If you are near an area which has a high risk of being contaminated, such as an industrial area, then you should test your water.