Artesia Water Quality Breakdown
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG / 205.2 PPM
- Classification: Very Hard
- Primary Source: Municipal supply, combining groundwater with imported water from state projects.
To put this in perspective, the U.S. average water hardness is about 5 GPG. Artesia's water is significantly harder, meaning it carries a heavier mineral load. A 12.0 GPG rating means every gallon of water contains the equivalent of 12 grains of dissolved rock, which gets left behind in your home's plumbing system.
The Impact of Hard Water on Your Appliances
Over the course of a year, Artesia's 12.0 GPG water can create 2.8 pounds of limestone scale inside your pipes, water heater, and other appliances. This buildup directly affects your finances.
- Energy Waste: In a gas water heater, this scale creates an insulating barrier between the flame and the water. This forces the unit to work 15-25% harder, increasing your energy consumption and your bill from the Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power.
- Appliance Failure: A water heater that should last 12-15 years will likely fail in only 9.0 years with this level of hardness. The same scaling process damages dishwashers, washing machines, and electric kettles.
- Daily Expenses: Hard water requires 30-50% more soap, shampoo, and laundry detergent to produce a lather, increasing your grocery bill.
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.