How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While hard water is not considered a health hazard, its effects are felt daily. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering properly, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This often leads to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp
- Soap scum rings in bathtubs and showers
For families with infants, consistently mixing baby formula with very hard water can contribute to a higher mineral intake than recommended.
Filtration Recommendations for Corcoran
With water hardness at 11.7 GPG, a whole-house solution offers the best protection for your investment. Here are the top choices:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: An excellent, low-maintenance choice for Corcoran's water. It doesn't remove the minerals but crystallizes them, preventing them from forming hard scale on pipes and appliance heating elements.
- Whole-House Water Softener: For those who want the classic 'slippery' feel of soft water and zero scale, a traditional salt-based softener is the most effective solution.
The Payback: A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in 11.9 years through savings of $126/year on energy from Northern States Power Co, wasted detergent, and premature appliance replacement. This doesn't even include the savings from no longer buying bottled water, which can cost a family $600-$900 per year.