Water Quality Analysis
Your local water has a mineral concentration of 12.0 Grains per Gallon (GPG), or 205.2 Parts Per Million (PPM). This is more than double the US national average of around 5 GPG, putting a significant strain on plumbing and appliances. Every gallon of this water carries the mineral equivalent of a crushed aspirin tablet, which adds up quickly.
The Financial Cost of Hard Water
Those dissolved minerals don't stay dissolved. They precipitate out as scale, leaving behind roughly 2.8 pounds of rock-hard calcium carbonate in your pipes and appliances every year. This has a direct impact on your wallet:
- Gas & Electric Bills: Scale buildup on the heat exchanger of your gas water heater or the elements of an electric one forces it to run longer to heat the same amount of water. With 12.0 GPG water, this can lead to a 15-25% drop in efficiency, directly increasing your utility bills.
- Shorter Appliance Life: The average water heater lasts 12-15 years, but in Redondo Beach, the lifespan is cut to an average of just 9.0 years. This costly, premature replacement cycle also applies to dishwashers and washing machines.
- Hidden Costs: You'll use 30-50% more detergent for laundry and dishes. The minerals in hard water interfere with soap, creating a scum that leaves clothes feeling stiff and glasses cloudy.
Impact on Skin and Hair
The hard water in Redondo Beach can make it difficult to feel clean. Soap reacts with the high mineral content to form a film that doesn't rinse away, leaving skin feeling dry, tight, and potentially itchy. This same residue coats hair shafts, resulting in hair that feels dull, brittle, and lifeless. It's often the hidden cause behind persistent dry skin and scalp issues.
Filtration Guide for 12.0 GPG Water
For 'very hard' water like that found in Redondo Beach, tackling scale is the top priority. Here's what makes sense:
- Recommended: A salt-free water conditioner is a highly effective, low-maintenance solution. It alters the mineral crystals so they can't stick to surfaces, protecting your plumbing without adding sodium to the water. Pair it with an under-sink reverse osmosis system for pristine drinking water.
- Alternative: A whole-house, salt-based water softener will also solve the problem by completely removing hardness minerals. This provides the 'slick' feel of soft water for showering and eliminates all spotting on dishes.
A whole-house softener (approx. $1,500 installed) pays for itself in about 11.9 years through annual savings of $126 from lower energy use, reduced detergent costs, and not having to replace appliances as often. An under-sink RO system also eliminates the $600-$900 annual cost of bottled water.