How Hard Water Affects Your Skin and Hair
While safe to drink, the high mineral content in Edwards' water is not kind to your body. The minerals react with soap to create a film known as soap scum, which doesn't rinse away cleanly. This residue can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair that is difficult to manage
- A feeling of film or residue on your skin after showering
For families, this can be particularly noticeable when bathing infants or for individuals with sensitive skin conditions.
Filtration Guide for Edwards, CO (9.3 GPG)
With water in the 'Hard' range, a targeted filtration strategy is the most cost-effective approach.
- Recommended System: A salt-free water conditioner is an excellent choice. It crystallizes the hardness minerals, preventing them from forming scale inside your pipes and appliances without adding sodium to your water. For drinking water, pair this with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system or a quality pitcher filter.
- Payback Calculation: A full whole-house water softener (~$1,500 installed) would save an estimated $99 per year on energy, detergent, and appliance wear. However, at that rate, it would take 15.2 years to pay for itself, making a conditioner a more practical upfront investment.
- Bottled Water Alternative: An under-sink RO system eliminates the need for bottled water, which costs the average U.S. family $600-$900 per year.