Can You Get Calcium From Well Water? The Guide to Mineral Content and Health

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

An 8-ounce glass of moderately hard water can contain up to 75 mg of calcium. So, can you get calcium from well water? The answer is frequently yes, but the exact amount and overall health implications depend heavily on your local geological makeup and the quality of your specific water source.

Quick Summary

Well water often contains calcium, especially in areas with mineral-rich geology, contributing to your daily intake. The concentration determines if the water is 'hard,' which can cause issues like scale buildup and plumbing problems. Testing is vital to understand your water's specific mineral profile.

Key Points

Well Water is a Natural Calcium Source: As rainwater passes through underground rock formations like limestone, it dissolves minerals, making well water a potential source of dietary calcium.
Bioavailability is High: The calcium in water is in an ionic, dissolved form that is highly bioavailable and easily absorbed by the human body.
High Calcium Causes 'Hard Water': High concentrations of calcium and magnesium in well water result in hard water, which can lead to limescale buildup and cleaning problems.
Regular Testing is Crucial: Well owners are responsible for their water quality and should conduct regular tests to determine mineral content, which can vary significantly by location.
Water Softeners Are the Solution for Hardness: For very hard water, a water softener uses an ion exchange process to effectively remove excess calcium and magnesium.
Moderate Health Benefits: The calcium in hard water can supplement dietary intake and is considered beneficial for bone health, but it should not be relied upon as the sole source.
Be Aware of Potential Risks: In rare cases, extremely high mineral content or sensitivity could contribute to issues like kidney stones, though this is not a common health risk from drinking water.

The Journey of Calcium into Your Well Water

Unlike municipally treated water, which undergoes rigorous processing, well water's mineral content is a direct reflection of the surrounding environment. As rainwater percolates down through the soil, it travels through different geological layers before being stored in underground aquifers. In many parts of the country, particularly areas rich in limestone, gypsum, and chalk, this groundwater dissolves minerals along the way, including calcium and magnesium. This natural process is the primary reason that well water is a significant source of dietary calcium for many people. The amount of calcium absorbed by the water depends on the specific type of rock and the duration of contact, leading to wide variations in well water mineral content from one location to another.

Health Benefits of Well Water Calcium

Getting calcium from drinking water offers several benefits, particularly because the calcium ions are highly bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb and use them effectively. For individuals who may not get sufficient calcium from their diet, especially those who are lactose intolerant or follow a plant-based diet, well water can offer a valuable supplementary source. The benefits of adequate calcium intake are numerous:

Strong Bones and Teeth: Calcium is a fundamental building block for a healthy skeletal system, helping to prevent conditions like osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Cardiovascular Support: Some studies suggest an inverse relationship between water hardness (which includes calcium and magnesium) and cardiovascular disease mortality.
Nerve and Muscle Function: This mineral is critical for regulating muscle contraction and ensuring proper nerve signal transmission.
Blood Clotting: Calcium plays an essential role in the body's natural blood clotting process.
Weight Management: Emerging evidence suggests a possible role in body weight management, though more research is needed.

The Drawbacks: What High Calcium Means for Your Home

While the health benefits are notable, high calcium levels have a significant practical drawback for homeowners. A high concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium is what causes water hardness, which can create a host of problems around the house.

Limescale Buildup: The most common issue is the formation of hard, chalky mineral deposits, or limescale, inside pipes, on faucets, and inside appliances like kettles, dishwashers, and water heaters. This buildup can reduce water flow and decrease the efficiency and lifespan of these appliances.
Ineffective Cleaning: Hard water reacts with soap and detergent, interfering with its ability to lather. This results in soap scum on surfaces, cloudy dishes, and stiff or dull-looking laundry.
Skin and Hair Irritation: The mineral residue can strip natural oils from skin and hair, leaving them feeling dry and irritated.

Comparison of Water Hardness Levels

Understanding your well water's hardness is key. Water hardness is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate. The Water Quality Association categorizes water hardness as follows:


Water Hardness Level	Concentration (as CaCO3)	Effects on Home	Potential Health Benefits	Potential Health Concerns
Soft	< 75 mg/L	Excellent for cleaning, no scale buildup	No significant mineral contribution	Mineral deficiency if diet is lacking
Moderately Hard	76 to 150 mg/L	Minor scale, soap usage may increase	Modest contribution to daily mineral intake	Unlikely at this level
Hard	151 to 300 mg/L	Noticeable scale on fixtures, reduced appliance efficiency	Good source of supplementary calcium/magnesium	Gastrointestinal issues in sensitive individuals
Very Hard	> 300 mg/L	Significant scale, reduced appliance lifespan, poor cleaning results	Excellent source of supplementary calcium/magnesium	Increased risk of kidney stones in susceptible people

How to Test and Treat Your Well Water

As the owner of a private well, you are solely responsible for ensuring your water is safe to drink. Regular testing is crucial for understanding the mineral content and identifying any potential contaminants. You can perform simple DIY tests to check for hardness or send a sample to a certified laboratory for a comprehensive analysis, which is recommended.

Based on your test results, you can decide on the right course of action. If your water is very hard and causing issues, a water softener is the most effective solution. These systems use an ion exchange process to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, effectively 'softening' the water. While a water softener can increase the sodium content, you can install a bypass line to keep your kitchen faucet's cold water supply un-softened for drinking and cooking. Other options include reverse osmosis systems, which are effective but may remove beneficial minerals along with contaminants, and in some cases, simply boiling the water can remove temporary hardness.

The Verdict: Getting Calcium from Well Water

Ultimately, well water can be a natural and healthy source of calcium and other essential minerals. However, it's not a foolproof guarantee, and the concentration varies widely. The presence of these minerals is a double-edged sword, offering health benefits while also causing the practical problems associated with hard water. The key to making the most of your well water is to regularly test its quality, understand your specific mineral content, and implement the right treatment solutions to address any hardness issues while maintaining a safe and healthy drinking supply. For more information on well water safety, consult resources from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such as their Guide to Private Well Water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking well water that contains calcium can be good for you. Calcium is an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and the form found in water is easily absorbed by the body. It can provide a small but beneficial supplement to your daily intake, though you should not rely on it as your primary source.

The most definitive way to tell is by having your water tested by a certified laboratory. However, common signs of high calcium (or hard water) include limescale buildup on faucets and pipes, soap that won't lather properly, cloudy spots on dishes, and dry skin or hair after showering.

Most standard water filters, like those found in pitchers or refrigerators, are not designed to remove dissolved minerals like calcium. For effective calcium removal, you typically need a dedicated water softener system that uses an ion exchange process.

For most people, the calcium levels in hard water do not pose a health risk. In fact, some studies suggest benefits. However, extremely high mineral concentrations could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals or contribute to kidney stones in those with a predisposition.

A water softener is the most common and effective treatment for removing excess calcium from well water. For drinking water specifically, some homeowners opt for a point-of-use reverse osmosis system for a single tap.

Boiling can remove some calcium that contributes to temporary hardness, but it is not a complete or robust solution. It only works for calcium bicarbonate and does not affect permanent hardness from calcium sulfates or chlorides.

The calcium ions in water are often considered highly bioavailable, meaning they are easily absorbed by the body. Research indicates they are absorbed effectively, comparable to or even better than some dietary sources, as food can contain compounds that inhibit absorption.