How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a direct health hazard, very hard water has noticeable effects on skin and hair. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering and rinsing cleanly, leaving a residue on your skin. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair that's difficult to manage
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors and fixtures
For families with infants, the mineral concentration is also a factor to consider when preparing baby formula.
Filtration Recommendations for 15.7 GPG
With water this hard, targeted filtration is not enough; a whole-house solution is necessary to protect your plumbing and appliances.
- Primary Recommendation: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It physically removes the calcium and magnesium ions causing the hardness.
- Secondary Recommendation: For those concerned about salt discharge, a salt-free water conditioner can prevent scale buildup, but it will not provide the same "soft water" feel or soap-lathering benefits.
- Drinking Water: Pair your whole-house system with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) filter for purified drinking water, eliminating the need for bottled water. The average family spends $600-$900 a year on bottled water—an expense an RO system erases.
A professionally installed whole-house softener (approx. $1,500) will pay for itself in about 9.0 years through annual savings of $166 on energy, detergents, and appliance replacement costs.