Daily Annoyances for Skin and Hair
While perfectly safe to consume, Frederick's hard water creates quality-of-life issues. The minerals in the water interfere with soap, preventing a clean rinse and leaving behind a sticky film. This often results in:
- Chronically dry skin and a tight, itchy feeling after showering.
- Worsened symptoms for those with eczema or psoriasis.
- Hair that feels dull, brittle, and is prone to breakage.
This soap scum residue also builds up on shower doors, faucets, and sinks, creating a constant cleaning challenge.
Choosing the Right Filter for Frederick
Given the 8.0 GPG hardness level, investing in a water treatment system is a proactive step to protect your home. Here are the recommended options:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: This technology is ideal for Frederick's water. It neutralizes the minerals to prevent them from forming scale, thereby protecting your entire plumbing system and appliances. It is a set-it-and-forget-it solution without the need for salt or electricity.
- Water Softener: A traditional salt-based softener will also solve the problem by removing the hardness minerals entirely. Based on estimated annual savings of $86, a softener costing ~$1,500 would take 17.4 years to pay for itself in energy and soap savings alone, not counting avoided appliance replacement costs.
- Drinking Water Filters: To get rid of the chalky taste often associated with hard water, consider adding an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter or a quality water pitcher.