Carbonate hardness becomes apparent after water has been heated. Heating reconstitutes the soluble calcium and magnesium bicarbonates into precipitates of insoluble carbonates. The precipitates adhere to heated surfaces, such as the inside of water heaters and hot water pipes, and ultimately cause a reduction in the capacity of the fixture. Noncarbonate hardness is not affected by heat, as it is principally caused by the presence of calcium sulfate. Both forms of hardness reduce the cleansing ability of many soaps and detergents.
Water softening is a process for the removal of the hardness-forming mineral constituents in water.
Most domestic water softeners are of the ion-exchange type. In this process, the calcium and magnesium ions are adsorbed by an ion-exchange material in exchange for sodium ions. Hardness of ground water is the major domestic and municipal water quality hazard in Sonoma County. Ground water in the county ranges from very soft to extremely hard. In contrast, the analyses from Well No.