Glendale Water Analysis
The numbers below detail the reality of Glendale's water quality and its impact on your home.
- Water Hardness: 18.3 GPG (312.9 ppm)
- Hardness Level: Very Hard
- Water Source: Municipal supply, primarily from the Salt River Project and local groundwater wells.
For comparison, the U.S. average water hardness is around 5 GPG. Glendale's water is over three and a half times harder. This means for every gallon of water you use, you're introducing the equivalent of 18.3 grains of dissolved rock into your pipes, water heater, and dishwasher.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Appliances
The financial impact of very hard water is significant and happens daily. Your gas water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine are all fighting a battle against mineral buildup.
- Scale Buildup: The average Glendale home accumulates about 4.3 pounds of calcium carbonate (limescale) inside its plumbing system annually. This rock-like scale constricts pipes and damages appliances.
- Water Heater Efficiency: Scale acts as insulation on your gas water heater's heating elements. With 18.3 GPG water, your heater works up to 25% harder, wasting natural gas and money just to heat your water. The estimated lifespan of a water heater in Glendale is cut to just 6 years, compared to the normal 12-15 years.
- Soap & Detergent Waste: Hard water minerals counteract soaps and detergents. You'll use 30-50% more laundry detergent, dish soap, and shampoo to get the same cleaning results, an expense that adds up quickly.
How Hard Water Affects Your Skin and Hair
While hard water isn't dangerous to drink, its effects are felt every time you wash. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly, leaving a film on your skin and hair.
- This residue can clog pores, leading to dry, itchy skin and aggravating conditions like eczema.
- Hair can become brittle, dull, and difficult to manage due to mineral buildup.
- For families with infants, using very hard water to prepare formula introduces a high, unnecessary mineral load.
Choosing the Right Water Filtration for Glendale
For water as hard as Glendale's, a targeted solution is required to protect your home and improve your quality of life.
- Best Solution (Very Hard Water >15 GPG): A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It removes hardness minerals completely. For purified drinking water, pair it with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system.
- Salt-Free Alternative: If you prefer to avoid salt, a salt-free water conditioner can prevent scale buildup, though it won't provide the 'soft water' feel of a true softener.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) can save you an estimated $194 per year in energy, detergents, and appliance longevity. This means the system pays for itself in about 7.7 years while preventing thousands in premature appliance replacement costs.