Aside from the nasty taste, is this something we should be concerned about?
Any info on what it is and if its safe is much appreciated.
Thank you!
Has anyone noticed the white residue after cooking with or boiling tap water?
It could be the calcifications from hard water.
Zürcher Oberland - Hard Water
How hard is my tap water? Answer inside.
Kalk or effluent, depending if your water is from mountain springs or the Aare.
It's nothing to worry about, it's simply that the water here is very hard.
It can build up in kettles and other appliances like coffee machines etc.
Some advice here..
Zürcher Oberland - Hard Water
Edit.. beaten to it by jrspet!
Calcium carbonate. It's alkaline, so it needs acid to shift it. Use vinegar to get rid of it. Boil in the kettle, and it will loosen it. Just make sure you rinse well before you make your next cuppa.
Or buy a water filter and only use filtered water in your kettle etc.
Interesting... it seems the "hard water" is a common concern for newbie's. Appreciate the responses. Thank you!
Not really, and for the main part Swiss water is actually not very hard, when compared with areas of the UK and France in which I have lived (or still do). It's just such a normal thing across most of Europe that everyone has to deal wth it one way or another.
Although some Swedish friends of ours did say recently that in Sweden they'd never even come across the concept.
We don't have hard water here, either.
Tom
It's actually very good for your heart, you'll be pleased to know. Very hard water here in the Jura as it is limestone country- and very pure water too, as it is slowly filtered through the limestone.
I buy cheap clear alcohol vinegar in France, for about 30 cts a litre- and use it neat on a cloth on tiles, taps, and all surfaces. As said above too, I pour some in the kettle about once a week and leave it to dissolve the limescale (kalk/calcaire) overnight then rinse thoroughly before using.
Blanc de Blanc?
My alternative solution is a 1200 CHF ion exchanger into which I dump 25 kilos of common salt every month...
For the first time in my life I have very hard nails!
Apparently this is from the "kalk" in the water?
I drink the tap water, love it. Can`t stand the taste of bottled water - except in my whisky.
The only negative effect of hard water on me is the very dry skin and hair.
Is it really good for your heart? I always thought too much calcium was bad for the heart (and that's why some people have to take calcium channel blockers or something like that?). I have no idea, but I'm curious because I do have a heart condition, thanks to a C-section.
When we investigated a water softening system, we were advised to keep a drinking water tap off the system, as it is better for the heart, osteoperosis, etc. and because the increased sodium content (salt) can be dangerous for health.
I'm too scared to boil tap water for my baby girl's milk due to the calc, and thus use Aldi's bottled water 6 litres for 1.20 chf. Probably better value and less effort than using britta filters.
Water with kalk is not dangerous for your baby at all.
I thought that the mineral (and salt) content of bottled water can be higher than tap water. Not to mention the storage of water for a long time in plastic - that can't be good for us.
The water here make my skin sick.
After 3 year of doctors I found out (guessed) my problem was the water. I bought a filter for the shower 2 weeks ago and I am much better already.
But the Britta filters are excellent to "produce" water for tea