Richmond's water hardness is slightly hard.Hard water requires more soap and synthetic detergents for home laundry and washing and contributes to scaling in boilers and industrial equipment. Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other metals.
Water is an excellent solvent and readily dissolves minerals it comes in contact with. As water moves through soil and rock, it dissolves very small amounts of minerals and holds them in solution. Calcium and magnesium dissolved in water are the two most common minerals that make water "hard."
The water produced by the city of Richmond is considered "slightly hard" to "moderately hard." Hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs.
But hard water makes it more difficult to wash your hair. Each hair shaft is made up of little scales, like roof shingles, and hard water makes the scales stand up. Your hair feels rough and tangly afterward, so you use a cream rinse to soften it. Since rainwater is soft, mineral-free water, try collecting it for a different hair-washing experience and then compare. How is it different? Can you notice?
