How hard is our water?
SPRWS water averages 5.3 grains of hardness per gallon. Dissolved minerals make water hard. As the amount of minerals in the water increases, the water becomes harder.

Two common minerals found dissolved in drinking water are calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Total hardness is defined as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations, expressed as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), in milligrams per liter.

The average hardness of the raw water coming in to the plant is 189 mg/L or about 10.8 grains per gallon. However, we treat our water with lime to reduce water hardness, so the water leaving the plant averages 93 mg/L or 5.3 grains per gallon. Our water hardness levels are posted every month as part of the laboratory's physical and chemical analysis of SPRWS water. View the most recent monthly water analysis.

Show All Answers

1. Where is my water meter, and how do I read it?
2. When do you open the Highland Park Water Tower to visitors?
3. How do I determine if I have a toilet leak?
4. When my water first comes out of the tap, it looks cloudy, but then clears up. Should I be concerned?
5. What is typical water usage?
6. Can I make an appointment to get my water turned back on?
7. How do I find a leak?
8. The leak isn't from my toilet. How do I find out where it's coming from?
9. Are there are more pollutants in drinking water today than there were 25 years ago?
10. What are the appointment hours for meter repairs?
11. Do you have to come inside the house to turn the water on?
12. Why is my water off?
13. What if I only have cold water?
14. Where are you located?
15. What communities are served by SPRWS?
16. Whom do I call if I live in a city to which SPRWS does not supply water?
17. If I have a water emergency, whom do I call?
18. What do I do if water is leaking near the water meter or if water is coming out of the ground in my yard or in the street?
19. Does SPRWS make a profit?
20. How many steps are in the Highland Water Tower?
21. Is the Highland Water Tower still being used?
22. What can I do to improve water pressure?
23. Who is responsible for maintenance of meter valves and the water service?
24. Where does your water come from?
25. What are you doing to address taste and odor issues?
26. What chemicals are added to the water supply?
27. What uses the most water in my house?
28. How hard is our water?
29. Do I need a plumbing permit?