Hard Water

Hard water is the result of dissolved, nontoxic minerals— primarily calcium and magnesium—naturally found in the Colorado River, Southern Nevada's primary water supply.

This mineral-laden water is called "hard" because the minerals make it difficult to lather soap. Other effects of mineralized water include "cloudy" ice and the white residue left on showerheads and faucets.

Drinking water containing these minerals does not pose a health concern. The levels found in tap water are well within Safe Drinking Water Act guidelines and are small compared to the amounts generally found in foods. The SNWA water hardness is about 313 parts per million (ppm) or 18.3 grains per gallon.

Many people prefer the aesthetic qualities of "soft" water and install water softening systems which remove most minerals.