Diamond Bar Water Analysis
Here are the key metrics for the water supplied to Diamond Bar residences:
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG (205.2 PPM)
- Water Source: Blended Municipal Supply (Imported)
For comparison, the national average water hardness is around 5 GPG. This means Diamond Bar's water contains more than double the dissolved rock and mineral content found in typical U.S. water, directly impacting everything it touches.
How Hard Water Damages Your Appliances and Budget
The unseen effect of 12.0 GPG water is constant scale buildup. Your home's plumbing accumulates approximately 2.8 pounds of rock-like scale each year. This deposit leads to significant problems:
- Gas Water Heater Failure: Scale settles at the bottom of the tank, creating a barrier between the gas burner and the water. This forces the unit to fire longer and at higher temperatures, wasting gas and ultimately leading to premature tank failure. A typical 12-15 year lifespan is cut down to just 9 years.
- Increased Energy Costs: The scale barrier can reduce heater efficiency by over 20%, adding a noticeable amount to your monthly gas and electricity bills powered by Los Angeles Dept of Water & Power.
- Wasted Cleaning Products: Hardness minerals interfere with soap, requiring up to 50% more laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, and shampoo to achieve the same level of cleaning.
Is Hard Water Bad for You?
Hard water poses no direct health risks, but it can significantly affect your skin, hair, and daily comfort. The minerals prevent soap from dissolving completely, which creates a scum that clings to surfaces.
- Skin & Hair: This residue can clog pores, leading to dry and itchy skin, and coats hair follicles, leaving hair feeling brittle and looking dull.
- Bathing: It's difficult to get a clean rinse, leaving you feeling like there's a film on your skin after a shower.
- Household Cleaning: This same soap scum is responsible for the white, chalky spots on your faucets, shower doors, and dishes.
The Smartest Filtration Choice for Diamond Bar
With water hardness at 12.0 GPG, doing nothing is a costly option. Protecting your home's plumbing and appliances is a wise investment. The most suitable solution is a whole-house system.
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: This system is often the preferred choice for this hardness level. It alters the structure of the hardness minerals so they can't form scale, protecting your pipes and water heater without adding salt to your water.
- Ion-Exchange Water Softener: The most powerful solution, this system removes hardness minerals entirely, providing truly soft water for bathing and cleaning.
A water softener represents a sound investment. With annual savings of around $126, a system costing $1,500 installed will pay for itself in 11.9 years, all while protecting thousands of dollars worth of appliances from premature failure. Add an under-sink RO system to eliminate the $600-$900 annual cost of bottled water.