How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While municipal water in Plymouth is safe to drink, its high mineral content can cause significant quality-of-life issues. The minerals prevent soap and shampoo from lathering and rinsing clean, leading to soap scum residue on your skin and in your hair. This can cause:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle, and difficult-to-manage hair
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors and fixtures
For families with infants, preparing baby formula with very hard water can be a concern, as the mineral concentration is much higher than in softer water sources.
The Right Filtration System for Plymouth's Water
With hardness at 11.7 GPG, simply using a pitcher filter is not enough to protect your home. Here are the most effective solutions:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: This is an excellent, low-maintenance choice for this hardness level. It doesn't remove the minerals but crystallizes them, preventing them from forming scale inside pipes and appliances. This is often the best balance of cost and effectiveness for Plymouth homeowners.
- Whole-House Water Softener: For maximum protection and the 'slippery' feel of soft water, a traditional salt-based softener is the most powerful option. It removes the hardness minerals entirely.
A typical whole-house softener installation costs around $1,500. With an estimated annual savings of $126 on energy, detergents, and premature appliance replacement, the system will pay for itself in approximately 11.9 years. If you also replace bottled water (an average family expense of $600-900/year) with an under-sink reverse osmosis system, the combined savings accelerate payback significantly.