How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While safe to drink, moderately hard water often causes noticeable aesthetic and comfort issues. The minerals prevent soap from rinsing completely, leaving a residue on skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair that's difficult to manage
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors, tile, and fixtures
For families with infants, the mineral content is safe for preparing baby formula, but it may cause issues with sterilizing bottles due to mineral spotting.
Which Water Filter is Right for Glen Burnie?
At 5.1 GPG, a whole-house water softener is not a cost-effective solution for most Glen Burnie homes. A typical system costs around $1,500 to install, and with annual savings of only $54, it would take nearly 28 years to pay for itself. A more practical approach is targeted filtration:
- Good: A quality pitcher filter (e.g., Brita, PUR) or a faucet-mounted filter will significantly improve the taste of your drinking water by removing chlorine and some minerals.
- Better: An under-sink filter system provides dedicated, high-quality filtered water for drinking and cooking directly from your tap, eliminating the need and cost of bottled water.
- Best for Some: If you are primarily concerned with scale on fixtures and minimal appliance buildup, a salt-free water conditioner can treat all the water in your home without the maintenance or salt discharge of a traditional softener.