What do USGS Hydrologic Technicians do on the job for water quality sampling and analysis? This video features four different Hydrologic Technicians from New Jersey Water Science Center and Nevada Water Science Center sharing some of their work.
Do you have information about water hardness in the United States?
See our map of water hardness (as calcium carbonate) in surface water of the United States. Hardness data (reflecting mostly calcium, plus a little magnesium) for individual drinking-water suppliers is at the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water website.
It is important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a legal limit or standard for hardness in water. This is primarily because the constituents that contribute to hardness (generally calcium and magnesium ions) are not toxic; that is, they do not cause harmful health effects. Instead, there is a generally accepted division of water into categories of:
- Soft: 0-60 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as calcium carbonate
- Moderately hard: 61-120 mg/L as calcium carbonate
- Hard: 121-180 mg/L as calcium carbonate
- Very hard: more than 180 mg/L as calcium carbonate
Most water utilities try to provide water that is not in the very hard category because of unpleasant effects such as scaling in equipment and the need for more soap and synthetic detergents. Many homeowners in hard-water areas use water softeners to further reduce hardness by substituting sodium for calcium and magnesium.
Learn more: Hardness of Water
Related
Why does my drinking water look cloudy sometimes?
Once in a while you get a glass of water that looks cloudy; maybe milky is a better term. After a few seconds it miraculously clears up! The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water. The water in the pipes coming into your house might be under a bit of pressure. This causes gases (air)...
Why does it take so long to rinse the soap off my hands? What are hard water and soft water?
Water is said to be soft if it has a low concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in it, while hard water has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. The minerals in hard water often react with most soaps to create a "soap scum," which is an insoluble substance that can temporarily adhere to your hands or the shower walls. When using hard water, you may have a harder time working your...
Why is our porcelain sink stained brown?
The brown stain is from a large amount of iron in your water. It is closely related to simple rust that you see on metal, which is iron oxide. Your water probably comes from groundwater that filtered through rocks containing iron-rich minerals on its way to the well. Learn more: Water Color USGS Drinking Water and Source Water Research
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
What can cause our water to have an earthy odor or to smell like rotten eggs?
Naturally-occurring organic compounds are created when plant material decays in lakes and reservoirs. Those organic compounds frequently cause musty, earthy odors, especially toward the end of summer. The odors can be objectionable, but generally are not harmful to health. However, odors can be caused by other constituents as well, so you might want to call your local Health Department and mention...
Is saline water used for anything?
In the U.S., about 13 percent of all water used is saline water. But saline water can only be used for certain purposes. The main use is for thermoelectric power-plant cooling. About 5 percent of water used for industrial purposes is saline, and about 53 percent of all water used for mining purposes is saline. Saline water can be desalinated for use as drinking water by putting it through a...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
What Do USGS Hydrologic Technicians Do For Water Quality Sampling and Analysis?
What do USGS Hydrologic Technicians do on the job for water quality sampling and analysis? This video features four different Hydrologic Technicians from New Jersey Water Science Center and Nevada Water Science Center sharing some of their work.
A USGS van outfitted for water quality sampling at an Ohio groundwater well
A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.
A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.
Drinking water from tap
The quality of the water we drink can potentially impact our health. The USGS has several programs and cooperative projects that characterize the quality of selected rivers and aquifers used as sources of drinking water to community water systems in the United States.
The quality of the water we drink can potentially impact our health. The USGS has several programs and cooperative projects that characterize the quality of selected rivers and aquifers used as sources of drinking water to community water systems in the United States.
USGS scientist collects groundwater samples to determine water quality
USGS scientist, Rick Arnold collects groundwater samples to determine water quality.
USGS scientist, Rick Arnold collects groundwater samples to determine water quality.
USGS Scientists Collecting Water-Quality Samples from Shallow Groundwater under Ashumet Pond
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists collecting water-quality samples from shallow groundwater under Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists collecting water-quality samples from shallow groundwater under Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Related
Why does my drinking water look cloudy sometimes?
Once in a while you get a glass of water that looks cloudy; maybe milky is a better term. After a few seconds it miraculously clears up! The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water. The water in the pipes coming into your house might be under a bit of pressure. This causes gases (air)...
Why does it take so long to rinse the soap off my hands? What are hard water and soft water?
Water is said to be soft if it has a low concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in it, while hard water has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. The minerals in hard water often react with most soaps to create a "soap scum," which is an insoluble substance that can temporarily adhere to your hands or the shower walls. When using hard water, you may have a harder time working your...
Why is our porcelain sink stained brown?
The brown stain is from a large amount of iron in your water. It is closely related to simple rust that you see on metal, which is iron oxide. Your water probably comes from groundwater that filtered through rocks containing iron-rich minerals on its way to the well. Learn more: Water Color USGS Drinking Water and Source Water Research
Where can I find information about my local drinking water supply?
The best way to learn about your local drinking water quality is to read the annual drinking water quality report/consumer confidence report that water suppliers now send out by July 1 of each year. The reports are often sent out with water bills, but they may be sent separately. The reports tell where drinking water comes from, what contaminants are in it, and at what levels. The U.S...
What can cause our water to have an earthy odor or to smell like rotten eggs?
Naturally-occurring organic compounds are created when plant material decays in lakes and reservoirs. Those organic compounds frequently cause musty, earthy odors, especially toward the end of summer. The odors can be objectionable, but generally are not harmful to health. However, odors can be caused by other constituents as well, so you might want to call your local Health Department and mention...
Is saline water used for anything?
In the U.S., about 13 percent of all water used is saline water. But saline water can only be used for certain purposes. The main use is for thermoelectric power-plant cooling. About 5 percent of water used for industrial purposes is saline, and about 53 percent of all water used for mining purposes is saline. Saline water can be desalinated for use as drinking water by putting it through a...
Does the use of pesticides affect our Nation's water quality?
Pesticide use in the United States has increased because not only must we supply our exploding population with food, but crops and food are also grown for export to other countries. The United States has become the largest producer of food products in the world, partly owing to our use of modern chemicals (pesticides) to control the insects, weeds, and other organisms that attack food crops. But...
What Do USGS Hydrologic Technicians Do For Water Quality Sampling and Analysis?
What do USGS Hydrologic Technicians do on the job for water quality sampling and analysis? This video features four different Hydrologic Technicians from New Jersey Water Science Center and Nevada Water Science Center sharing some of their work.
What do USGS Hydrologic Technicians do on the job for water quality sampling and analysis? This video features four different Hydrologic Technicians from New Jersey Water Science Center and Nevada Water Science Center sharing some of their work.
A USGS van outfitted for water quality sampling at an Ohio groundwater well
A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.
A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.
Drinking water from tap
The quality of the water we drink can potentially impact our health. The USGS has several programs and cooperative projects that characterize the quality of selected rivers and aquifers used as sources of drinking water to community water systems in the United States.
The quality of the water we drink can potentially impact our health. The USGS has several programs and cooperative projects that characterize the quality of selected rivers and aquifers used as sources of drinking water to community water systems in the United States.
USGS scientist collects groundwater samples to determine water quality
USGS scientist, Rick Arnold collects groundwater samples to determine water quality.
USGS scientist, Rick Arnold collects groundwater samples to determine water quality.
USGS Scientists Collecting Water-Quality Samples from Shallow Groundwater under Ashumet Pond
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists collecting water-quality samples from shallow groundwater under Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists collecting water-quality samples from shallow groundwater under Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Updated Date: January 16, 2025