Mesa Water Quality Breakdown
- Water Hardness: 18.3 GPG (312.9 PPM)
- Hardness Level: Very Hard
- Water Source: Municipal supply from the Salt River Project (SRP) and Central Arizona Project (CAP)
For comparison, the U.S. national average is around 5 GPG. Mesa's water is more than three times harder. An 18.3 GPG rating means that for every gallon of water passing through your pipes, 18.3 grains of dissolved rock (calcium and magnesium) are left behind.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
The mineral content in Mesa's water isn't just a number—it has a tangible financial impact. Every year, an average home accumulates 4.3 pounds of calcium carbonate scale inside pipes and appliances.
- Gas Water Heaters: This scale acts as insulation between the gas burner and the water. At 18.3 GPG, your heater works up to 25% harder to reach the set temperature, wasting gas and money on every bill from Arizona Public Service Co.
- Appliance Lifespan: A standard water heater should last 12-15 years. In Mesa, with untreated water, that lifespan is cut to just 6 years. The same damage occurs in dishwashers and washing machines.
- Daily Annoyances: That white crust on your coffee maker is limescale, which affects taste and performance. To get clothes and dishes clean, you'll need to use 30-50% more detergent and soaps.
How Hard Water Affects Your Family's Skin and Hair
While hard water is safe to drink, its high mineral content creates daily quality-of-life issues. The minerals react with soap to form a film, preventing a proper lather and leaving residue behind. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle, and frizzy hair
- Clogged skin pores
For families with infants, using very hard water to prepare baby formula can be a consideration due to the high, unregulated mineral levels.
Filtration Guide for Mesa's Very Hard Water
With a hardness level of 18.3 GPG, targeted filtration isn't enough. You need a whole-home solution.
- Recommended System: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution to protect your plumbing and appliances from scale. For the purest drinking water, pair this with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system.
- The Financial Payback: A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 7.7 years. This comes from the $194 saved each year on wasted energy, excess detergent, and the avoided cost of premature appliance replacement.
- Bottled Water Costs: The average family spends $600-$900 per year on bottled water. An under-sink RO system eliminates that cost, providing better-than-bottled quality water from your own tap.