The calculator will calculate the water hardness parameters for each appliance

With the definition of hardness of water flowing from the taps in our apartments, sooner or later every Muscovite faces. For example, when buying dishwashers or washing appliances that need to be configured for this parameter. What does water hardness mean and how to determine it?

What is water hardness?

Hardness is a set of properties of water associated with the content of dissolved salts in it, the basis of which are “hardness salts” – calcium and magnesium. The total stiffness consists of temporary and permanent. Temporary hardness can be eliminated by boiling water, which is due to the property of some salts to precipitate, forming the so-called scale, which is clearly visible in the kettle.

Water hardness is a characteristic of a particular source of water supply and does not change during the preparation of drinking water.

What is the hardness of Moscow water?

According to GOST 31865-2012 “Water. Units of rigidity”, the unit of measurement of rigidity is the degree of rigidity (°F), the value of which corresponds to 1 mg-eq / l. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, a person receives magnesium and calcium in sufficient quantities, provided that water is consumed with a hardness of approximately 5 °‏ Zh. In accordance with the requirements of the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation (SanPiN 1.2.3685-21), the hardness of drinking water in centralized water supply systems should be no more than 7 ° F.

Moscow tap water does not need additional softening, since its hardness is within these limits. Its minimum and maximum values ​​​​range from 1.9 to 5 – 5.7 degrees of water hardness, depending on the season. The minimum values ​​of hardness are typical for periods of high water or high water, when there is an intensive flow of soft melt or rainwater into the water supply sources.

By the way, the standard for the physiological usefulness of bottled water (SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02) is: calcium – 25 – 130 mg / l; magnesium – 5 – 65 mg / l; hardness – 1.5 – 7 ° W.

According to the content of calcium and magnesium, bottled water of the highest category is no better than Moscow tap water!

In general, the Moscow water of the centralized drinking water supply system belongs to waters of medium hardness and, according to actual values, corresponds to the indicator of physiological usefulness established for bottled waters of the highest quality category. The water does not contain compounds harmful to human health and is safe for consumption. Mosvodokanal specialists assure that after comprehensive treatment at water treatment plants, water enters the taps of citizens absolutely safe for drinking and cooking.

“Drinking water is one of the valuable sources of calcium and magnesium salts. Water hardness refers to the content of soluble salts in it.

Accordingly, water cannot be absolutely soft; magnesium and calcium salts must be present in it. If you constantly drink too soft water, the body will very soon need pharmaceutical support – vitamins, drugs.

Too hard water, on the contrary, harms the technique. High industrial temperatures can damage equipment when using hard water. To prevent this from happening, at enterprises operating with high temperatures, the water is specially softened. Such soft water is exclusively for technical purposes, it is not suitable for drinking.

Moscow water does not need additional filtration – the content of magnesium and calcium in it is harmless for both humans and equipment, ”explains Elena Stolyarova, chief technologist of the water supply department of Mosvodokanal JSC.

Water hardness calculator

You can find out the value of water hardness at your address using the electronic service on the website of Mosvodokanal JSC – “Water quality in Moscow regions”.

In Russia, hardness is measured in degrees of hardness, and global manufacturers use units of measurement accepted in their countries. Therefore, the “Stiffness Calculator” was created for the convenience of residents. With it, you can translate the stiffness values ​​from one measurement system to another in order to set up household appliances for the desired mode. By selecting the required unit of measure indicated in the instructions for the technique, you will use the calculator to get the value that must be set on the scale of the household appliance for the optimal operation of the same dishwasher.

According to Andrey Smirnov, director of the Western water treatment plant of Mosvodokanal JSC, the table is very simple and understandable: “Any person can easily recalculate from the presented Russian standards into foreign ones and set a certain hardness on household appliances, in accordance with which it will dispense softening agents water. Thanks to this, it is possible to extend its service life by preventing the formation of scale and other deposits.

Can you drink hard water?

Do not forget that magnesium and calcium are two necessary elements for the human body. And drinking water is one of the valuable sources, since the calcium and magnesium salts that cause water hardness enter our body to a large extent with water.

So, with drinking, up to 10-15% of the daily calcium intake enters the body – it is known to be the key to strong bones and teeth. And magnesium is a key participant in more than 250 chemical reactions in the human body; it is part of all tissues and cells. At the same time, the body cannot produce magnesium on its own – this requires magnesium-containing water and food.

Accordingly, water cannot be absolutely soft; magnesium and calcium salts must be present in it. Additional softening of Moscow water for drinking and cooking is not required!

Curiously, coffee brewed with hard water has a richer flavor. This is because caffeine binds to magnesium during brewing.

Nature has given the inhabitants of central Russia the optimal composition of water hardness salts, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body, including the cardiovascular system. This composition of natural water from rivers and reservoirs – the sources of Moscow’s water supply – is preserved in the process of preparing drinking water at water treatment plants. When choosing the degree of water hardness, it is recommended to adhere to the golden mean. The best option is to use water of medium hardness for cooking and soft water for hygiene procedures.

Nina DONSKIKH.