Effects on Skin and Hair
While the minerals in Anderson's hard water aren't a direct health risk, they do affect your quality of life. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering properly, leaving a residue on your skin and hair.
- This can lead to chronically dry, itchy skin and may worsen conditions like eczema.
- Hair can become brittle, dull, and difficult to manage.
- For families with infants, preparing baby formula with untreated hard water can introduce a high concentration of minerals.
Filtration Guide for Very Hard Water
With a hardness level of 19.1 GPG, simple pitcher or faucet filters are inadequate; they don't remove hardness minerals and won't protect your home. The recommended solution is a whole-house system.
- Best Option: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It removes the hardness minerals entirely, protecting every pipe and appliance. Paired with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for purified drinking water, this is a comprehensive fix.
- Alternative: A salt-free water conditioner can be an option if you wish to avoid salt, but it only crystalizes minerals to prevent scale buildup—it does not 'soften' the water or provide the same benefits for skin and soap usage.
A typical whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 7.4 years through annual savings of $202 on energy from providers like Anderson Municipal Light & Power, reduced detergent use, and avoiding premature appliance replacement.