Chandler Water Quality Data
- Water Hardness: 18.3 GPG (312.9 PPM)
- Classification: Very Hard
- Source: Municipal blend (County Average)
This hardness level is nearly four times the U.S. national average of approximately 5 GPG. To put 18.3 GPG in perspective, it means for every gallon of water that enters your home, a small tablet's worth of dissolved rock minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium—comes with it.
The Financial Cost of Hard Water
The unseen impact of Chandler's hard water is most evident in your appliances and energy costs. The average household will accumulate 4.3 lbs of calcium carbonate scale per year inside pipes, faucets, and machinery.
- Water Heaters: This scale acts as insulation inside your gas water heater, forcing the burner to work up to 25% harder to heat the water. This inefficiency cuts the typical 12-15 year lifespan of a water heater down to just 6 years.
- Dishwashers & Washing Machines: Scale buildup coats heating elements and clogs water jets, reducing efficiency and leading to premature failure. You'll also use 30-50% more soap and detergent to achieve a proper clean.
- Coffee Makers & Kettles: Visible white scale not only looks bad but also negatively affects the taste of your coffee and tea.
These combined costs in wasted energy, extra detergent, and shortened appliance life add up quickly.
Effects on Skin and Hair
While not a direct health hazard, very hard water significantly impacts daily comfort. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering and rinsing properly. This leaves behind a sticky residue on your skin and hair.
- Dry, Itchy Skin: The soap film can clog pores and strip natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Dull, Brittle Hair: Mineral buildup weighs hair down, leaving it feeling limp, frizzy, and difficult to manage.
- Soap Scum: The same residue that affects your skin creates a stubborn film on your shower doors, tubs, and sinks.
Filtration Guide for Chandler's Water
With water hardness at 18.3 GPG, targeted filtration is not a luxury—it's an investment in protecting your home. A simple pitcher filter will not be sufficient.
- Best Solution: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective way to remove hardness minerals entirely. This protects every pipe, faucet, and appliance in your home. For those who prefer a non-salt option, a salt-free water conditioner can help prevent scale buildup, though it doesn't remove the minerals.
- Drinking Water: To get the best tasting, purest water, pair a whole-house system with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter for your kitchen tap. This removes virtually all dissolved solids.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 7.7 years through savings of $194 per year on energy from Arizona Public Service Co, detergents, and appliance longevity. Considering the average family spends $600-$900 on bottled water annually, an RO system offers an immediate return on investment.