Hard water is simply H20 that has picked up minerals during its travel through the ground. Often the places with the hardest water are those where very dense rock formations lie below the surface. The rock leeches minerals into the drinking water, minerals which then arrive at your house. This leeching is the reason for water softeners. Some amount of mineral content in your water is critical for hydration. Still, too much can lead to delirious health effects and unsightly mineral deposits on the alloy of your kitchen and bathroom fixtures.\r