Conclusions: Total Hardness

There was a general consistency in all samples testes on New Island in regards to total hardness.  The samples tended to fall in the 70-90 ppm range, indicating medium hard water.  The hardness of the water (amounts of calcium and magnesium) may be attributed to the leaching of calcium and magnesium from the soil rather than any pollution source.  These levels are relatively low when compared to groundwater.  Hardness tends to be a bigger problem for groundwater aquifers than it is for surface waters.