| Author |
Message |
    
sahm
Citizen
Username: Sahm
Post Number: 77
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 3:33 pm: | 
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Our neighborhood eloop has been buzzing with talk about how the quality of South Orange water has declined. The water is very hard apparently. Anyone else having problems? |
noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 59
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 4:54 pm: |
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We've definitely noticed a difference in the quality of our dishwasher over the past month or two. Glass especially just don't seem to get clean. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 208
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 6:23 pm: |
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Glass is deeply yucky at our house (Meadowbrook Lane). Not just cloudy but almost sticky. Where are you? |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2164
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 6:44 pm: |
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The glasses here on N. Wyoming are grey, cloudy and just plain disgusting. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 6:46 pm: |
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My glasses are spotty and not quite clean too. I live on Grove Park, and they are doing some kind of work to the well here in the park. I put more jet dry stuff in and it didn't help as as it usually does. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 209
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 7:12 pm: |
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On another thread, Glass Magic was recommended. I'm hoping to find it and try it, 'cause this is gross.
happy weekend all!
(paper cups?)  |
Harold Colton-Max
Citizen
Username: Coltonmax
Post Number: 38
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 8:46 pm: |
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All --
For those of you who are having a problem with the "hard water" that we get in South Orange, you might want to consider getting a water softener. We got one for our house and it has made a major difference in the quality of the washing of our clothes, dishes, plates, etc..
Another problem that can potentially be caused by hard water is clogging things like faucets and bathroom showers.
Perhaps the most siginficant problem with hard water is that it erodes the water pipes faster. You might not experience any issues today, but the impact down the line can be fairly serious.
There are a number of firms that provide this service. We use Portasoft, which has worked well for us.
I hope that this information is helpful.
-- Harold |
Frank Zichelli
Citizen
Username: Aplastic
Post Number: 36
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 8:48 pm: |
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I have had the same problem. Every so often I run the dishwasher with CLR or a cup of powdered Tang. This removes the film for a couple of weeks. Also, powdered detergent seems to work better than the liquid. |
sahm
Citizen
Username: Sahm
Post Number: 78
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 11:29 pm: |
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Should every household have to pay $500 to $700 (what I hear a water softener costs) to deal with the hard water? |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2165
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 11:47 pm: |
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Water softeners add a lot of sodium to the water..something that's a no no to those of us with high blood pressure. |
PARROT HEAD
Citizen
Username: Island_jack
Post Number: 29
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 2:14 am: |
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Unfortunately, the hard water in South Orange is not a problem that we (the residents) can control. East Orange Water Dept. does their very best to see that the water we use is potable but, the effects of our environment keep us from drinking water directly from our household taps.
As far as laundry and dishwashing go, my Wife and I have no control of the situation. For drinking water, however, I suggest a Brita water pitcher or a PUR water filtration system.
For now, think globally, act locally. |
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 862
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 8:08 am: |
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For those who have to watch their sodium intake, there are potassium pellets that can be used instead of sodium pellets.
South Orange has always had hard water. Harold is correct when he talks about the damage that hard water does to your water pipes.
It seems that this area in general is prone to hard water, even though it comes from different sources. The Millburn Shoprite has a large stoock of water softener pellets in the front of the store as does Home Depot. (They don't carry the potassium pellets; I think Jayson can get them). |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 359
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 1:17 pm: |
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According to the most recent Consumer Reports, hard water gives spots. It is soft water that can cause the overall haziness that we've occasionally seen with our glassware. (and they agree with me that gel Cascade is a problem if you are prone to haziness!)
I can think of many places I've been where the water is very hard (i.e. soap doesn't rinse well). South Orange isn't one of them, imho.
No water softener being installed at our house, and no problems with our glassware as long as I choose the right detergent. |
Ginny Brown
Citizen
Username: Ginny_brown
Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 9:42 pm: |
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I recently learned that you can take a sample of your water to Sears and they will analyze it. |
Analog01
Citizen
Username: Analog01
Post Number: 36
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 10:23 pm: |
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YES! We thought that our new (<1yr old) dishwasher was broken. At least I know we're not alone. Everything is spotted, slimy gross...the water is terrible. |
newtoallthis
Citizen
Username: Newtoallthis
Post Number: 184
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:35 am: |
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We've also got the hazy glasses in a new dishwasher. I've also noticed a strong chlorine smell from the water in my shower - anyone else notice that? We had guests recently who also brought up the chlorine smell. |
kriss
Citizen
Username: Kriss
Post Number: 125
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:53 am: |
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We had this problem rear its ugly head when we installed a new dishwasher. I've been able to alleviate the problem somewhat by using Method dishwasher cubes (available at Target). I still get the occasional glass completely covered with film, and I still need to rinse some of the stainless steel pots every now and then, (and I rinse the kids' sippy cups, bottles, etc., even tho I can't see any residue, just to be safe), but for the most part, I am seeing less crud with the new detergent.
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J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 2080
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - 4:45 pm: |
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Anyone can test their own water. Just go over to NJPets on Valley and Third, or Petco in Essex Green, and buy an aquarium water test kit. (One that tests hardness as well as pH costs about $30, I think.)
The procedure is easy, if a little tedious: one simply counts off drops of a solution into a small water sample until the sample abruptly changes color. You then find the total number of drops used on a chart index to determine hardness.
PH (i.e., acidity/alkalinity) in municipal water is buffered and ought to come out to a neutral 7.5 or so, but hardness is a different matter. It refers to the percentage of dissolved mineral salts in the water, and S.O.'s is undeniably high. That's why, if you keep fish that prefer soft water (which means most tropical fish other than African Cichlids), it's good to collect rainwater or use distilled or reverse osmosis water instead of tapwater for replacing evaporation. Otherwise, if one simply replaces evaporated hard water with more hard tap water, the mineral content of aquarium H2O increases over time.
In aquaria, no one can hear fish scream. |
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