The city is also participating in studies being conducted by the University of Arizona and Arizona State University to determine where these chemcials are being produced and how the algae can be controlled. Glendale's water is harder than some because it is located in the Southwest. This is partly a result of rapid evaporation caused by high desert temperatures. When water evaporates, salts in the water remain and become more concentrated. When water evaporates completely, salts are left in the soil.
Heavy rainstorms cause water to soak into the ground and help carry the salts along.
This process has caused Glendale's groundwater to become more salty than groundwater in other parts of the country. The difference is reflected in the hardness and total dissolved solids content of the groundwater. Glendale's surface water sources are delivered by uncovered canals that start 30-150 miles away. The source water itself is relatively hard and when some of the water evaporates during transport down the canals, a higher mineral concentration is left resulting in even higher total dissolved solids and hardness. The calcium and magnesium salts in the water interfere with detergent producing suds and also leave water spots on dishes because of their insolubility.