Monitoring Water for Total Hardness With KETOS SHIELD

KETOS SHIELD offers instantaneous water quality monitoring to help water operators react in real-time. It also saves organizations high upfront investment expenditures by providing a $0-CAPEX subscription.

As an award-winning smart water management solution, KETOS SHIELD provides accurate monitoring for water hardness and 30+ other water testing parameters (such as inorganic materials, heavy metals, and environmental factors). Monitoring happens via an internet-aware modular system that uploads your data to the cloud for easy 24/7 access.

Why Monitor Water for Total Hardness with KETOS

Water hardness results from the levels of calcium and magnesium salts in water. Balancing water hardness helps organizations avoid the risk of both scaling and corrosion. While a specific water hardness level is acceptable in some applications, others may require zero hardness to protect equipment and infrastructure.

For example, in municipal drinking water applications, hardness must be balanced to protect pipes from corrosion to avoid lead and copper leaching into households and ensure compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.

In wastewater applications, monitoring for hardness during sludge digestion optimizes efficiency. Water hardness in industrial applications where heaters and boiler tubes are present requires careful monitoring to avoid scale buildup. This is also the case in cooling tower feeds. In food and beverage operations, monitoring for water hardness also helps control quality and taste. Therefore, across industries, understanding Total Water Hardness is critical to maintaining efficient processes and avoiding downtime.

What are the Issues with Total Hardness in water?

Total Hardness in water refers to the concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium ions, present in the water. While these minerals are not typically harmful to human health, elevated levels of Total Hardness can lead to various challenges and concerns. Here are key issues associated with Total Hardness in water:

• Scale Formation: High levels of Total Hardness can contribute to scale formation in plumbing fixtures, appliances, and industrial equipment. Calcium and magnesium ions can combine with bicarbonate ions in water to form insoluble precipitates, which accumulate on surfaces as scale deposits. Scale buildup reduces water flow rates, impairs equipment performance, and increases energy consumption, leading to costly maintenance and repairs.
• Soap Scum: Total Hardness can interfere with the lathering and cleaning properties of soap and detergents. Calcium and magnesium ions react with fatty acids in soap to form insoluble compounds, reducing soap effectiveness and leaving behind a sticky residue known as soap scum. Soap scum can coat surfaces, fabrics, and dishes, making cleaning more difficult and requiring higher detergent doses.
• Boiler and Heat Exchanger Fouling: Total Hardness can cause fouling in boilers, heat exchangers, and other industrial equipment. Scale deposits formed by calcium and magnesium ions can insulate heat transfer surfaces, reduce thermal efficiency, and increase operating costs. Boiler and heat exchanger fouling can lead to overheating, equipment failures, and production downtime, impacting industrial processes and productivity.
• Water Quality and Aesthetic Concerns: Elevated Total Hardness levels can affect water quality characteristics such as taste, odor, and appearance. Hard water may have a mineral-like taste and odor, which some consumers find unpalatable. Additionally, hard water can leave behind white spots on glassware, dishes, and fixtures, detracting from water aesthetics and consumer satisfaction.
• Agricultural and Irrigation Issues: Total Hardness in water used for agricultural irrigation can affect soil quality and crop productivity. Hard water may lead to soil salinization and compaction, reduce water infiltration rates, and impair nutrient uptake by plants. Managing Total Hardness levels in irrigation water is essential for maintaining soil fertility, crop yields, and agricultural sustainability.
• Livestock and Aquaculture Concerns: Total Hardness can impact livestock and aquaculture operations by affecting water quality and animal health. Hard water may contribute to mineral imbalances in livestock diets, leading to nutritional deficiencies and health issues. In aquaculture systems, high Total Hardness levels can stress aquatic organisms, affect growth rates, and impair reproductive performance.

Causes of Total Hardness in Water

Total hardness in water is primarily caused by the presence of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals naturally occur in geological formations such as limestone and gypsum. As water flows over or through these formations, it dissolves minerals, increasing its hardness. Additionally, groundwater sources are often harder than surface water due to prolonged contact with mineral-rich rocks and soils. Human activities can also contribute to water hardness, such as the use of water softeners containing sodium or potassium ions, which exchange calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions. While hardness minerals are not typically harmful to human health, they can lead to scaling in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Therefore, understanding the sources and levels of total hardness in water is essential for implementing appropriate treatment measures and maintaining water quality standards.

Acceptable Levels of Total Hardness in Water by Industry

Different industries have varying acceptable levels of total water hardness to meet specific needs. Pharmaceutical and food industries require very low levels to maintain product quality, while manufacturing and power generation accept slightly higher levels to prevent scaling and corrosion.

How to Easily Monitor Water for Total Hardness

Instead of measuring total hardness with a meter that only measures a handful of conditions; the KETOS SHIELD is capable of mentoring dozens of water related issues — in real-time. Go further with KETOS. Gather insights on the total hardness of your water and 30+ other water quality testing parameters. Test what you want, when you want, all from one central device.

Expand your water analysis capabilities with KETOS. Explore total hardness and over 30 other essential water quality testing parameters effortlessly. With KETOS, enjoy the flexibility to test desired parameters conveniently from one central device, empowering your organization with comprehensive insights for effective water management and regulatory compliance.

If you need to detect sulfates in wastewater, assess arsenic levels in well water, or monitor by analyzing zinc in vertical agriculture systems, KETOS’ automated water monitoring system is tailored to optimize your processes. By incorporating zinc detection capabilities for vertical agriculture applications, it offers an efficient solution for ensuring water quality, saving time, and addressing regulatory concerns across diverse industries.