Lake Los Angeles Water Quality Profile
- Water Hardness: 12.0 GPG (205.2 PPM)
- Hardness Level: Very Hard
- Water Source: State Avg (Outlier Cap, California)
At 12.0 GPG, your water is more than three times harder than the U.S. average of approximately 5 GPG. This means for every gallon of water used, a significant amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium is passing through your pipes and appliances, ready to form scale.
The Real Cost of Hard Water on Your Home
The practical cost of 12.0 GPG water is significant. Your home's plumbing accumulates about 2.8 lbs of calcium carbonate (limescale) per year. This scale acts as an insulator in your gas water heater, forcing it to burn up to 20% more fuel and shortening its lifespan from a typical 12-15 years to just 9 years. You'll also see this buildup in your coffee maker, and you will need 30-50% more detergent for your washing machine to get clothes clean.
Impact on Skin and Hair
While medically safe to drink, very hard water creates noticeable issues. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering effectively, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This often leads to dry, itchy skin, a flaky scalp, and brittle hair. For families, preparing baby formula with hard water can also be a concern due to the high mineral load.
Filtration Guide for Lake Los Angeles
For water hardness in the 7-15 GPG range, a salt-free water conditioner is an effective, low-maintenance solution to prevent scale buildup. For peak performance and the silky feel of soft water, a traditional whole-house water softener is the best choice. A typical softener system (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 11.9 years by saving you an estimated $126 per year on energy, detergents, and premature appliance replacement. For pristine drinking water, add an under-sink reverse osmosis system to remove dissolved solids and eliminate the cost of bottled water.