Hard vs soft water - what’s the difference?
So, what does hard and soft water mean?
Water hardness refers to the mineral content (particularly calcium and magnesium carbonates) within the water. As water falls from the sky it is considered soft. This is because it has yet to come in contact with minerals.
As water moves through rocks and other substrates, it accumulates dissolved solids. Water that has higher than normal amounts of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium is considered ‘hard’.
Basically, we define hard water as having a high mineral content, which is measured in milligrams per litre. Anything below 60mg/l is considered soft:
- soft below 60 mg/l
- moderately hard between 60 – 120 mg/l
- hard between 120 – 200 mg/l
- very hard above 200 mg/l
How does the hardness of water affect us?
Hard water is water in its most natural state. There are differing opinions on whether hard or soft water is the healthiest for us to drink. The visible impacts of hard water in the home can be seen in limescale build up inside the plumbing system and on household appliances.
When hard water is heated, calcium deposits can form. If this builds up, it can greatly damage the performance and lifespan of your appliances such as kettles and coffee machines.
Hard water is also harder to lather so more detergent is required in washing and in the shower.
Soft water is the most common form of water in Australia. Unlike hard water, soft water is free of harsh minerals that can damage your home and your body.
It increases the effectiveness of soap compared to hard water because hard water can deactivate the soap’s ingredients.
Those who suffer from eczema and psoriasis often prefer soft water because of the lower mineral count. So soft water generally means silkier hair and skin for your family.
Water hardness across Australia
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines dictate that drinking water must be treated to a high standard. In Sydney, 80% of water comes from Lake Burragorang at Warragamba. This water is then filtered through filtration plants, which are monitored 24/7 to ensure that water is safe to drink. Sydney Water adds fluoride and chlorine before it reaches our taps.
Whilst the quality of drinking water in Australia is highly regulated, water hardness is not. Therefore, we can see that the water’s origin across Australia plays a huge role in how hard or soft it is.
Hardness comes from contact with minerals rich in calcium, magnesium and carbonates that the water passes through.
In Sydney, water is considered ‘soft’ with a hardness level of about 50mg/L. If you look at the water hardness map of Australia, Victoria and Tasmania have the softest water, while Western Australia and South Australia have some of the hardest. Between capital cities in Australia, water hardness varies dramatically. In Hobart, it is barely above 10 ppm, whilst in Brisbane and Adelaide it reaches nearly 100 ppm.
Which is better for you?
The jury is still out on this one. Many people advocate for hard water because it contains essential minerals and nutrients such as magnesium and calcium. However, hard water is linked to kidney stones and makes hair and skin dry.
Your best option, whether the water in your area is hard or soft, is to install a home water filter system. All our filters remove contaminants such as dust, dirt, rust and cysts (giardia and cryptosporidium). These affect not only the taste but also the odour and colour of your water. Our filters then remove chlorine and limescale, so your skin and household appliances will thank you.
The best news is our filters leave all the good minerals in the water. This is because fluoride, calcium, magnesium and sodium are all dissolved minerals with the same consistency as water, so they simply pass through our filters.
Learn more about WFA’s water filter systems.
Read more interesting filtered water facts.
Buy Water Filter Systems
& Water Filters Online
Inline Water Filter System
$299 - No separate tap or drilling needed
- Connects inline to cold-water hose
- No plumber needed
- 4x faster than traditional systems
- Lasts a family of 4 for 1 year
Bathroom Vanity Filter System
$199 - Compact for en suite bathrooms
- Space required 335mm x 225mm
- Mounts vertically or horizontally
- Works with your existing tap
- Protects tap from limescale build-up
Dedicated Filter Tap System
$329- Ideal if you like a separate filter tap
- Mount filter vertically or horizontally
- Filter lasts 12 months
- Same great taste
Replacement Filter Cartridges
From $60.66- WFA & Everpure cartridges
- Omnifilter cartridges
- Rainwater cartridges
- Fridge cartridges
Water Filters for Your RV
From $149- Easy installation
- Choice of three systems
- Significantly cheaper than bottled water
- Durable & long lasting
- Space saving
Counter Top System & Filter Taps
From $61.74- Ideal solution for people on the move
- No plumbing required
- Chrome plated
- Lever operation
- Suitable for WFA Filter Systems
WFA Replacement Cartridges
From $60.66 - Inhibits lime scale build up in water using appliances
- Environmentally friendly
- Removes particles 75 times smaller than the diameter of a hair
Rain Water Filters
From $35.24 - Ideal screen filter for sediment particles in excess of 80 microns.
- Typically used for filtration before or after a rainwater tank pump
RV & Marine Cartridges
From $60.66- Compact size
- Quick change cartridge – DIY
- Compatible with all Everpure ADC filter installations
Everpure
From $104.74- The Everpure 7CB5-K cartridge filters out particles between 1 and 5 microns in size. By way of comparison, the diameter of human hair is 75 microns.
- Contaminants reduced/removed include sediment, chlorine, bad tastes and odours.
- The filtration process also inhibits limescale build up in water using appliances.
Omnifilter
From $36.93- The 1100R is the half micron ‘quick change’ replacement cartridge and is recommended for use with the Omnifilter CBF2 water filter system.
- Removes/reduces the following contaminants and substances; cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidium, chlorine, bad tastes and odours.
Fridge Filter Cartridges
From $71.72- Contaminants removed include chlorine, bad tastes and odours with some sediment removal/reduction.
- The cartridge inlet and outlet include ¼” ‘push fit’ connection fittings.
- Environmentally friendly, reducing plastic bottle waste.
Specials
From $66.97- A 2 year supply*. Receive a reminder notification to change to your second cartridge.
- Larger quantities purchased receive a larger discount.
Jugs
From $15.74- Simple and easy to use
- Removes/reduces sediment, chlorine, cadmium and mercury
- Filter change every two months
- More economical than bottled water
- Environmentally friendly, reducing plastic bottle landfill waste
News & Articles
How chlorine in your water might be affecting your skin
Has your skin ever felt tight, dry or irritated after a lovely long day relaxing in the pool? Chlorine is a chemical commonly used in water treatment, from backyard pools to our drinking water. While it’s a highly effective disinfectant, and you wouldn’t want to swim in untreated water, it does have various downsides and may be negatively affecting our health and our skin.
Camping and hiking? Don’t forget your portable water filtration solution
Nothing ruins an outdoor activity like camping or hiking faster than exhaustion, dizziness and a pounding headache—all classic signs that dehydration is probably sneaking up on you. A portable water filtration solution gives you instant access to clean, great-tasting water—without the hassle or waste of carrying plastic bottles or large water containers.
How pure water supports your health in extreme heat
Scorching heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a real threat to your body. Australian summers are made for fun, but staying safe means more than just wearing sunscreen. How pure water supports your health in extreme heat isn’t just about staying hydrated. Ultimately, filtered water is the best choice as it is free from contaminants that can worsen dehydration.