Alhambra Water Hardness Breakdown
- Grains Per Gallon: 12.0 GPG
- Parts Per Million: 205.2 PPM
- Source: State Water Project & Local Groundwater
This hardness level is more than twice the U.S. average of approximately 5 GPG. It means that for every gallon of water, there are 12 grains of dissolved rock minerals like calcium and magnesium, which is what creates soap scum and limescale.
The Financial Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
The financial toll of very hard water is unavoidable. Over a single year, 2.8 pounds of rock-like scale will build up inside your plumbing. This limescale drastically reduces the efficiency of your gas water heater, forcing it to burn 15-25% more fuel to do the same job. Instead of a typical 12-15 year lifespan, your water heater's life is cut short to just 9 years. The same damage affects your dishwasher, washing machine (which now needs up to 50% more detergent), and coffee maker.
Very hard water affects your body from head to toe. It leaves soap residue on your skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation. Your hair may feel dull and brittle because shampoo can't rinse out completely. While not dangerous to drink, the high mineral content impacts your daily comfort and is a key consideration for those with sensitive skin or when preparing baby formula.
Filtration Guide for Alhambra Homes
For Alhambra's 12 GPG water, a salt-free water conditioner is a highly practical solution to protect your home's entire plumbing system from scale. For superior drinking water, we recommend adding an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter. A traditional salt-based softener is also a powerful option; at an average installed cost of $1,500, it would take roughly 11.9 years to pay for itself with $126 in annual savings on energy and cleaning supplies. Investing in an RO system also eliminates the $600+ annual cost many families spend on bottled water.