For decades hard water has clogged pipes, ruined appliances, destroyed facets, clouded glassware and in other words, become a nightmare for the home/property owner.

Over 80 percent of North America is affected by hard water issues, and because of its aesthetic affects, we have come to despise the look and even the feel of hard water.To some, mainly due to marketing hype, the taste of “hard water” is even going out of style.

To the astute water connoisseur though, hard water is and always will be “in”.Mineral rich water has been the most desirable water since the beginning of time.People and animals alike have traveled great distances to reach a spring fed water source.

Now days these pristine springs are taped and the water is bottled and sold for top dollar.With good reason too; recent testing is showing that those who live in hard water areas are less likely to develop certain illnesses and disease.This research confirms what humans and animals have instinctively known for ages: mineral rich water does a body good.

Why then would we want to remove these minerals from our water; that which we drink and bathe in?Enter the modern day of plumbing, expensive appliances and hard water scale.Aesthetic tidiness has ruled the roost when it comes to health vs. a grimy toilet bowl.

Water softeners work by replacing these hardness causing minerals with sodium chloride (salt).Leaving water scale-free but at a hefty price: Mineral deficient and also having a characteristically slimy feel of which is difficult, if not impossible, to remove.Not to mention sodium (salt) laden.An estimate from leading doctors is that over 30% of the North American population should take all measures to reduce the intake of salt/sodium in the diet, due to heart-related concerns.

Interestingly, heart disease is less prevalent in hard water areas.That is if you are drinking hard water (mineral rich water), if you are not, and compounding this affect by drinking softened water you are doing a grave disservice to your internal plumbing.

Water Softeners are meeting their doomsday.Official are discovering softeners compounding pollution affects and their toll on the water supply, and many counties are beginning to ban water softeners altogether.Health conscious consumers are learning of the benefits of drinking hard water and opting for this option despite hard water and scale issues.

In a perfect world, one would have both: A scale free home and mineral rich water to bathe and drink in.Until then, it is to what ever pipes you want to have clean and working properly: your home or your body!