New River Water Quality Breakdown
- Water Hardness: 18.3 GPG (312.9 PPM)
- Hardness Level: Very Hard
- Water Source: County Average, reflecting both municipal supplies and private wells in the area.
At over three times the U.S. national average of 5 GPG, New River's water is among the hardest in the country. This means every 100 gallons of water leaves behind nearly a third of a pound of dissolved rock inside your home's plumbing and appliances.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
This extreme hardness level has significant financial consequences. Your home is accumulating about 4.3 pounds of rock-like scale annually inside your most expensive appliances.
- Gas Water Heaters: Scale forces your gas water heater to burn up to 25% more fuel just to heat the water, directly impacting your energy bills from Arizona Public Service Co.
- Appliance Lifespan: A typical water heater lasts 12-15 years. With New River's water, expect that to drop to only 6 years. This destructive process also shortens the life of well pumps, dishwashers, and washing machines.
- Daily Frustrations: The scale you see on your faucets and showerheads is also building up where you can't see it. It requires you to use 30-50% more soap and detergent just to get a lather, leaving clothes feeling stiff and dishes spotty.
How Hard Water Affects Your Family's Skin and Hair
While New River's hard water is safe to drink, its high mineral load creates daily challenges. The minerals react poorly with soaps, forming a scum that doesn't rinse away cleanly. This contributes to:
- Persistently dry, itchy skin
- Dull and brittle hair that is difficult to manage
- Clogged pores and potential aggravation of skin conditions like eczema
This residue means you never feel fully clean, and it can leave skin and hair feeling dry and damaged over time.
Filtration Guide for New River's Very Hard Water
At 18.3 GPG, a simple faucet filter won't be enough. A comprehensive, whole-home approach is necessary to protect your investment.
- Recommended System: For New River's challenging water, a whole-house salt-based water softener is the only truly effective solution. It physically removes the damaging minerals. Combine it with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit for perfectly pure drinking water.
- The Financial Payback: A professionally installed softener system costs about $1,500 but pays for itself in roughly 7.7 years. The $194 in annual savings comes from reduced energy consumption, less soap and detergent usage, and not having to replace expensive appliances prematurely.
- End Bottled Water Runs: An under-sink RO system eliminates the need to buy bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 a year, and delivers superior water right at your kitchen sink.