Agoura Hills Water Analysis
A detailed breakdown shows your water has a hardness level of 12.0 GPG, which is equivalent to 205.2 PPM of dissolved calcium and magnesium.
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG (Very Hard)
- Water Source: State Water Project (Imported)
This is more than double the US national average of around 5 GPG. To put 12 GPG in perspective, it’s like dissolving a dozen standard aspirin tablets worth of rock into every single gallon of water flowing through your pipes.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
This level of hardness directly impacts your wallet. Your home's plumbing and appliances accumulate around 2.8 lbs of calcium carbonate (limescale) per year. Inside a gas water heater, this scale acts as insulation, forcing the burner to work up to 20% harder and increasing your gas bill. A standard water heater designed to last 12-15 years will likely fail in just 9 years with Agoura Hills water. You'll see this same scale build-up ruining your coffee maker and electric kettle, while your washing machine will require 30-50% more detergent to get clothes clean.
While hard water isn't a direct health risk, its effects on daily life are significant. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering properly, leaving a film on your skin that can cause dryness, clogged pores, and an itchy scalp. Hair can become brittle and dull. For families, preparing baby formula with hard water can introduce high levels of minerals that infants don't need.
Filtration Guide for 12 GPG Water
For water at 12 GPG, a salt-free water conditioner is an effective, low-maintenance solution to prevent scale buildup without adding sodium to your water. For pristine drinking water, pair it with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system. If you prefer a traditional approach, a whole-house softener is a strong choice. A typical softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in about 11.9 years through annual savings of $126 on energy, detergents, and extended appliance life. Considering the average family spends $600-$900 yearly on bottled water, an RO system offers an immediate return on investment.