Effects on Skin and Hair
While municipally treated water is safe to drink, its hardness impacts your daily life. The high mineral content prevents soap from fully dissolving, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema or psoriasis.
- Brittle, dull hair and an irritated scalp.
- A feeling of film or 'squeakiness' on your skin after showering.
For families, preparing baby formula with very hard water can be a concern, as the excess minerals can be difficult for an infant's developing system to process.
Filtration Guide for Very Hard Water
With water hardness over 15 GPG, tackling the problem at the source is the most effective approach. A simple pitcher filter will not be sufficient to protect your home.
- Best Solution: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is highly recommended. It removes the hardness minerals entirely. Pairing this with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system provides purified water for drinking and cooking.
- Alternative: A salt-free water conditioner can be a good option if you want to prevent scale buildup without using salt, though it does not physically remove the minerals.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) pays for itself over time. Based on the data for Elmwood Park, it would take approximately 8.8 years to recoup the cost through annual savings of $171 on energy, detergent, and deferred appliance replacement costs.