Effects of Hard Water on Skin and Hair
While the minerals in Artesia's water are safe to drink, they negatively impact bathing and cleaning. The calcium and magnesium react with soap to form an insoluble curd, often called soap scum.
- Dry, Itchy Skin: This residue remains on your skin after rinsing, clogging pores and causing dryness and irritation. It can also worsen conditions like eczema.
- Dull, Brittle Hair: The same film coats hair shafts, leaving hair looking lifeless and feeling difficult to manage.
- Cleaning Difficulties: Soap scum is responsible for the stubborn spots on your shower doors, faucets, and dishes.
Choosing the Right Filtration System for Artesia
Given the very hard water at 12.0 GPG, treating your water is a wise investment to protect your home. Here are the most practical solutions:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: This system is ideal for preventing scale buildup. It uses technology to change the structure of the hardness minerals so they can't stick to surfaces, effectively protecting your water heater and pipes without using salt.
- Whole-House Water Softener: To fully remove all hardness minerals, a traditional ion-exchange water softener is the most comprehensive solution. It eliminates scale, allows soap to lather fully, and provides that distinctively smooth soft water feel.
Based on savings of $126 per year on energy and cleaning supplies, a whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) achieves its return on investment in about 11.9 years, all while extending the life of your appliances.