Effects on Skin and Hair
Hard water is safe to drink, but it creates lifestyle challenges. It makes it difficult for soaps and shampoos to lather, leaving a film on your skin that can cause dryness and irritation. This can be especially noticeable for children or anyone in the household with sensitive skin. Hair can also be left feeling dull and brittle after washing.
Practical Filter Options for Your Home
Given the 8.9 GPG hardness, practical and affordable solutions can make a big difference.
- Targeted Solutions: For many residents, starting with high-quality point-of-use filters is most effective. A showerhead filter can immediately improve skin and hair health, while a faucet-mount filter provides clean water for drinking and cooking. These are easy to install yourself.
- System-Wide Protection: A salt-free water conditioner is a good investment to protect your water heater and prevent scale throughout your plumbing. A full, salt-based softener is an option, but its estimated payback period is long at 16 years based on $94 in annual savings, making targeted filters a smarter first step.
Instead of buying bottled water, an under-sink filter system removes that recurring cost and provides great-tasting water on demand.