How Hard Water Affects Your Family's Skin and Hair
While not a direct health hazard, very hard water significantly impacts daily life. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema.
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp.
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors, tubs, and fixtures.
For families, preparing baby formula with hard water can introduce high concentrations of minerals that are best filtered out.
Filtration Guide for Aurora's Very Hard Water
With water hardness at 13.4 GPG, a simple pitcher filter isn't enough to protect your home. Your best option is a comprehensive, two-part solution:
- Whole-House Water Softener: This is essential. A salt-based softener is the most effective way to remove hardness minerals, protecting your entire plumbing system, water heater, and appliances. Salt-free conditioners are an alternative if you're concerned about sodium discharge.
- Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO): For the best tasting and purest drinking water, an RO system at the kitchen sink removes the broadest range of contaminants, including the sodium added by a softener.
A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) effectively pays for itself. Based on an estimated savings of $144 per year from lower energy bills (with Public Service Co of Colorado's rate of $0.111/kWh), reduced detergent use, and avoiding premature appliance replacement, the system has a payback period of 10.4 years.