Water hardness map of U.S.

[Teddyboy]

We have had several discussion about water hardness and its effect on lathering. I came across these maps of the US and UK that color-codes regions of distinct water hardness. I hope this is easy to read, and that you find it interesting.

 

[Mick]

Whoo hoo...

I am slightly hard.......

Hummm... That does not sound all that good once I read it over

 

[AceByTerror]

ROFL turtle!

 

[lowjax]

MY WATER is very hard.

 

[Kailand09]

I laughed so hard at that turtle. My WATER is very hard as well... in both the areas I live.

 

[AceByTerror]

I laughed so hard at that turtle. My WATER is very hard as well... in both the areas I live.

Brings a whole new dimension to the name "turtle" doesn't it? LOL!

Thanks folks! I'll be here all week. Try the veal and don't forget to tip your waiters.

 

[ShavinBacon]

You know, they make pills for that now Turtle! You too could go from slightly to VERY...wait, what are we talking about?

To the OP...thanks for the maps. VERY interesting.

 

[BubblesTGB]

Surprised to find I live in a hard water area.

Very interesting map. Thanks to the OP!

 

[reboot]

I actually prefer some hardness to the water. I've traveled to places with very soft water and, when showering, it's almost impossible to rinse the soap off. Even when you rinse thoroughly, you still feel slick.

 

[ricardo9505]

WOW. that accounts for the reason my lather was harder to build down in Miami than NYC. I mean you can drink NYC tap water. Miami? hmmmm.
And the water I use from the faucet in the Caribbean. very grainy, not drinkable to an American, lather takes work to build.

Awesome find. Thanks for sharing. Helps put things in perspective.

 

[Ollie4ISU]

My local water system says they "try" to get water water hardness down to 10.5 grains per gallon. I have to load MWF for about two minutes to get it to work at all. When my hot water heater goes out, a water softener is going in too.

 

[Early Morning]

There's always distilled water.

 

[crfcom]

The slick feeling isn't characteristic of soft water. It's characteristic of the sodium a water softener puts into the water. Distilled water is also soft due to the lack of calcium and magnesium, which are the two "hardness" minerals, and the same is true of rainwater, but if you shave or bath with either of those you won't experience the slick sensation. Only water which has been softened via sodium-exchange is "slick". Some people, like myself, actually enjoy the feel of sodium-softened water. Its a matter of what you get used to. Any soft water supply, whether it be naturally soft or sodium-exchange softened, will lather well.

 

[TallyShave]

Our water is "Hard" even though the map puts us in a "Moderately Hard" zone (each utility is going to be different). Never had any issue lathering (other than needing a little more product and mixing). I get the same end product when I use soft water. I still think water hardness/softness is completely overblown when it comes to the ability to lather soaps.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Our water is "Hard" even though the map puts us in a "Moderately Hard" zone (each utility is going to be different). Never had any issue lathering (other than needing a little more product and mixing). I get the same end product when I use soft water. I still think water hardness/softness is completely overblown when it comes to the ability to lather soaps.

I have a similar experience. Southeast Louisiana is listed as "Moderately Hard" and I'm constantly battling Calcium/Lime deposits on water fixtures. Never have problems creating lather though. Now when I get an espresso machine... we'll just have to see.

 

[TallyShave]

I have a similar experience. Southeast Louisiana is listed as "Moderately Hard" and I'm constantly battling Calcium/Lime deposits on water fixtures. Never have problems creating lather though. Now when I get an espresso machine... we'll just have to see.

Looks like we share some hobbies! We get the "snow" on the showers and everywhere. When I got a nice espresso machine a few years ago which was directly plumbed, I installed an in-line softener. Works great and it was easy to do.

 

[Mick]

We are on "city water" which comes from a lake/reservoir. Our water is very much on the soft side.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Looks like we share some hobbies! We get the "snow" on the showers and everywhere. When I got a nice espresso machine a few years ago which was directly plumbed, I installed an in-line softener. Works great and it was easy to do.

I can't wait... unfortunately I will have to. Probably a year or 2.

Right now I'm torn between the Alex Duetto, Vibiemme, and Rocket.

 

[KingGordon]

Man, "very hard water" starts at 10.5+ grains per gallon. My municipal system states that we have 21 grains per gallon. Holy smokes. My water softener must be working over time!

 

[_JP_]

The map can be somewhat misleading. Part of the problem is where the water you use is drawn from. In my area, it is a combination of reservoirs, rivers, and wells. Then there is the effect that the local treatment plant has on it. For me, the hardness is set correctly so that the water tastes great and doesn't cause any undo plumbing issues where minerals are concerned. And it lathers very well.