How 24.3 GPG Water Affects Your Family
While safe to drink, very hard water creates noticeable quality-of-life issues. The high concentration of minerals interacts poorly with soaps and detergents.
- Skin and Hair: It can lead to dry, itchy skin and a flaky scalp as soap residue is left behind, clogging pores. Hair can feel brittle, dull, and difficult to manage.
- Lathering Issues: Soaps, shampoos, and detergents do not lather effectively, reducing their cleaning power and requiring you to use more product.
- Sensitive Skin: For households with young children or individuals with eczema, the mineral residue can exacerbate skin irritation.
Filtration Guide for Redlands' Very Hard Water
At 24.3 GPG, basic pitcher filters or faucet attachments are ineffective against hardness. A whole-house solution is necessary to protect your home.
- Primary Recommendation: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It removes the hardness minerals entirely. For purified drinking water, this should be paired with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system.
- Salt-Free Alternative: A salt-free water conditioner is an option if you prefer not to use salt. It doesn't remove minerals but crystallizes them to prevent them from forming hard scale inside pipes and appliances.
A properly installed water softener (~$1,500) is a sound investment. With an estimated annual savings of $261 on energy, detergents, and premature appliance replacement, the system pays for itself in about 5.7 years.