Written by Magnus

Limescale in tap water can be a big problem. Coffee machines and kettles can get clogged, glasses can become stained and difficult to clean, and sometimes even taps and showers can get blocked.

Therefore, many people want to remove limescale from tap water.
In this article we will explore what limescale is, potential health problems with limescale, types of limescale filters and the best alternative for filtering limescale.

What is limescale in tap water?

Limescale is actually the result of hard water. Hard water is full of minerals, including calcium, carbonate, magnesium and manganese. When limescale deposits appear in your coffee maker, kettle, tea pots and water glasses, there is probably a “hard” problem in your home. Statistics reveal that 85% of European homes and, similarly, 85% of American homes are affected by such problems.

Limescale is that hard, chalky residue that lurks inside your taps, pipes and even kettle, left behind by hard water that contains above-average levels of dissolved minerals (TDS). And while hard water and limescale aren’t dangerous, they can be very irritating and contribute to bad taste.

Is limescale in tap water bad for you?

The calcium and magnesium that make up limescale are generally not unhealthy. Limescale in normal amounts in tap water does not have any negative effects on your body. On the contrary, most mineral waters that you find in stores contain minerals such as magnesium and calcium, which are good for your body. The recommended minimum daily intake of calcium is 500-1200 mg and magnesium is 300 mg. If you drink two liters of water a day, you could be getting 10 to 20% of your daily calcium needs. Most importantly, you can get up to a third of your magnesium needs from tap water.

What about hard tap water?

Hard water is the result of a high mineral content that typically includes calcium and magnesium. It has no known adverse health effects. The WHO says that, in addition, hard water, particularly very hard water, could actually provide an important supplemental contribution to total calcium and magnesium intake.

There is some evidence from epidemiological studies that magnesium or hardness has a protective effect on cardiovascular mortality. At this point, the evidence is debated and does not prove causality. There may also be health conditions in which patients should probably avoid hard water, including those with kidney stones. But again, the science is inconclusive.

How do you remove limescale from tap water?

There are several methods for removing limescale from tap water, including

Basically there are two methods

A) remove calcium
and magnesium ions from the water, so that calcium and magnesium carbonates
cannot form

B) remove calcium and magnesium entirely

C) prevent calcium and
magnesium ions to form calcium and magnesium carbonates

Method A: Ion exchange

Water softeners using, for example, ion exchange resins, exchange calcium ions for sodium ions. This is why water becomes salty. Water softeners usually separate calcium and magnesium ions as waste water.
Ion exchange typically uses cation resins which are strong cation/strong acid (SAC) resin beads to reduce hardness levels and increase sodium levels by removing calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions that form scale. The downside is that the removal process can make the water slightly acidic (like naturally soft water). This can sometimes take a few weeks to get used to if you have been drinking hard water all your life.

Method B: Reverse Osmosis (RO)

It uses a membrane with tiny holes to push through the “pure” water and block other chemicals such as calcium, magnesium, lead and more. Read more about Reverse Osmosis Filters. This is effective at removing limescale, but it also removes all the healthy minerals and makes the water taste “flat”.

Method C: TAPP Water

Our patented limescale inhibitor forms a complex with inorganic contaminants and prevents them from forming hard scales, stains, etc. It forms a protective coating of insoluble mineral scale on coffee pots, kettles, water jugs, etc.
The positive side is that Calcium and Magnesium are not reduced and the water does not taste salty. The slightly negative side is that you can still see some white bubbly particles in the tap water.
Others: Magnetic / Catalyst / Ionization Limescale removal devices:
These are magic magnets sold in hardware stores and on social media that claim to soften water with magnetic force. Laboratory tests of these devices have generally shown that they do not work.

What does TAPP Water use to remove limescale from tap water?
TAPP 2 Limescale filter

TAPP Water has spent the last 2 years experimenting with different technologies to achieve the best blend of taste, scale removal efficiency and capacity.
To ensure the highest efficiency in limescale removal, EcoPro uses the latest technology available for limescale reduction. The technology combines our 5-stage microfiltration carbon block technology with a proprietary formula to reduce limescale by sequestering the calcium and magnesium minerals that cause limescale and corrosion.
At TAPP Water, we are water experts and believe in total transparency. We study everything there is to know about water quality, contaminants, filters, health benefits and drinking water issues in the markets where we operate. Best of all, we share everything we learn with you!

What are the benefits of a limestone water filter?

If you live in an area with hard water and limescale, the benefits of a limescale water filter include:

• No more limescale in your coffee maker or tea kettle
• No more limescale on jugs and glasses making them difficult to clean
• Potentially better tasting coffee, tea and drinking water if you are used to soft water
• Your Nespresso machine, other coffee machines and appliances that require water can last longer and require less maintenance

Conclusion

In summary:

• Limescale is the result of hard water formed by calcium and magnesium.
• There is no proven negative health impact of hard water or limescale.
• There are several filtration technologies available for removing limescale from tap water including water softeners, reverse osmosis, ion exchange and TAPP Waters proprietary technology.
• EcoPro uses the latest combined water filtration technology to keep your tap water free from limescale

Sources

Minimum daily calcium intake for adults: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-dosage

Minimum daily magnesium intake for adults: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-dosage

Impact of hard water on health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775162/

How Ion Exchange (IX) Works: https://www.watertechonline.com/ion-exchange-resins-and-their-applications/