Water Analysis for Citrus
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG (205.2 PPM)
- Hardness Level: Hard
- Water Source: Municipal supply, a blend of local groundwater and imported water from the State Water Project.
Your water's 12.0 GPG is more than double the US national average of around 5 GPG. This means for every gallon of water that passes through your pipes, it carries a significant load of dissolved calcium and magnesium—the minerals responsible for scale buildup and soap scum.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
The 12.0 GPG water in Citrus has a tangible financial impact. Annually, your home's plumbing and appliances are dealing with approximately 2.8 pounds of rock-like calcium carbonate scale. This buildup has severe consequences:
- Water Heater Inefficiency: Scale acts as an insulator on heating elements. In a gas water heater, this forces the burner to work 15-25% harder to heat the water, wasting fuel and money.
- Reduced Appliance Lifespan: A standard water heater should last 12-15 years. With Citrus's hard water, that lifespan is cut to an estimated 9 years. Dishwashers and washing machines also suffer from clogged components and premature failure.
- Higher Utility Bills: Your local utility, the Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power, charges about $0.13/kWh. Inefficient appliances due to scale directly increase your energy consumption.
- Increased Detergent Use: Hard water requires 30-50% more soap and detergent to create a lather, from laundry to dishwashing, adding to your household expenses.
How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While hard water isn't considered a health hazard, its effects are felt daily. The high mineral content prevents soap from rinsing clean, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema conditions.
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp.
- A persistent film on your shower doors, dishes, and fixtures.
For families with infants, preparing baby formula with hard, mineral-heavy water can be a concern regarding mineral concentration.
Choosing the Right Water Filtration System
For water at 12.0 GPG, protecting your home's plumbing is the primary goal. You have a couple of smart options:
- Best Value: A salt-free water conditioner is an effective and low-maintenance solution. It won't remove the healthy minerals, but it will crystallize them so they can't form scale inside your pipes and water heater. Paired with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter for drinking water, this is a perfect setup for Citrus homes.
- Maximum Protection: A traditional whole-house water softener removes the hardness minerals entirely. With potential annual savings of $126 on energy and detergents, a typical system (around $1,500 installed) will pay for itself in about 11.9 years.
Many families spend over $600 a year on bottled water. An under-sink RO system provides better-than-bottled quality water right from a dedicated tap, paying for itself in months.