Once you have completed the drinking water testing process, how can the issue be solved? There are several ways that water is softened, but most methods are used industrially or commercially. his is achieved by attaching a water softening device directly to your supply. These containers hold ion-exchange resin or beads that switch out hard molecules for soft ones. In this process, calcium and magnesium are replaced with sodium and sometimes (but rarely) potassium. Calcium hydroxide is a powder used to treat and prepare water, food, and paper. It purifies water and is used to raise the alkalinity of freshwater to prevent rust. Distillation is an effective but expensive method of water softening. As water is heated, it evaporates and leaves hard water ions behind. The only problem is that the energy required to maintain the soft water result is not worth it in a residential context. Chelators molecules that easily bind to metal molecules can remove calcium and magnesium from water. These substances are commercially added to cleaning products, like shampoos, soaps, and detergents. Though they are prominent in their respective industries, they have an environmental impact, and so are losing favor as water softeners. Reverse osmosis uses controlled pressure to isolate hard water ions. Purified water is then pushed through a filter, leaving calcium and magnesium behind. An advantage of this method is that it does not replace hard water ions with new molecules. A drawback is that reverse osmosis machines need regular maintenance, or else they will lose their effect. There are many reasons you may want to soften your water supply. Whether it is for grooming, your household, or protecting your clothes or kitchenware, you can try a few methods at home. The simplest and most convenient method to soften your water is to use a water filter. Most use activated carbon to absorb and trap contaminants. They can filter an array of impurities, from chlorine to heavy metals. You will have to spend a bit of money on a filter, and they require installation. Their biggest benefit is that they do not only soften your supply, but they also clean it too. This is an example of reverse osmosis. A water softener gives you the same effect as chemical treatment, without adding harmful substances to your supply. It is a device that replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium to change the structure of your water. Once this exchange takes place, the softener will filter out calcium and other impurities. You are left with cleaner, soft water, and there is no effort on your part. These machines are the popular choice in ion exchange. Heat will separate the minerals from water. Traces of calcium and other impurities will settle at the bottom of your container and are easily removed with a strainer. This method might require the least thought, but it is not effective on a larger scale. The upsides are that no chemicals or devices are necessary, and it leaves your water safe for all uses as well as ingestion. It is distillation, so keep in mind that while it is highly effective, it might cost you. Who do I need to contact to find out more information about water quality in my area? Every community water supplier must provide an annual report to its customers, known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The report provides information on your local drinking water quality, including the water’s source, contaminants found in the water, and how consumers can get involved in protecting drinking water. How often does the local public water system preform drinking water testing? Frequency of drinking water testing depends on the number of people served, the type of water source, and types of contaminants. Certain contaminants are tested more frequently than others, as established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. You can find out about levels of regulated contaminants in your treated water for the previous calendar year in your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).