California Water Treatment Level T2 and T3 Practice Test

The main component that causes water hardness is calcium and magnesium. These minerals occur naturally in groundwater and surface water sources, and their presence is what actually defines water hardness. When water passes through mineral-rich areas, it dissolves these minerals, leading to increased levels of calcium and magnesium ions in the water.

Hard water can lead to several issues, such as scaling in pipes and appliances, difficulty in lathering soap, and a potential impact on plumbing systems. Understanding that calcium and magnesium are the responsible elements is crucial in water treatment processes because softening methods often involve removing or neutralizing these ions to improve water quality for various uses.