How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While hard water is safe to drink, its high mineral content can cause noticeable issues for skin and hair. The minerals react with soap to form a residue that doesn't rinse away easily, leading to:
- Dry, itchy skin and scalp
- Dull, brittle, and difficult-to-manage hair
- Aggravation of skin conditions like eczema due to dryness
- A feeling of film or residue on your skin after showering
For families, preparing baby formula with very hard water can be a concern due to the high mineral concentration.
Choosing the Right Filtration for 14.2 GPG
With very hard water, taking action is a sound financial decision. Here’s what makes sense for Lake City homes:
- Top Recommendation: A salt-free water conditioner is an excellent, low-maintenance choice for this hardness level. It won't remove the healthy minerals, but it will change their structure to prevent them from forming damaging scale. A traditional salt-based softener is also a very effective option.
- For Drinking Water: To improve taste and remove excess minerals for drinking, pair a whole-house system with a quality pitcher filter or an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. An RO system eliminates the need for bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 per year.
A whole-house softener system (around $1,500 installed) will pay for itself in approximately 9.8 years thanks to annual savings of $153 on energy, detergents, and premature appliance replacements.