The effects of hard water
While there is no convincing evidence that hard water poses any adverse health effects, it does make cleaning more difficult, leaves behind soap scum, and has a negative impact on hair and skin softness. Hard water is primarily caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium and occurs in two forms — carbonate and non-carbonate. Carbonate hardness can be removed by boiling the water, but non-carbonate hardness requires the use of softening or filtration in order to be removed.
Culligan Water has great suggestions for treating hard water issues in these states: Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.