How Hard Water Affects Your Family
The minerals in Harrison's water are not a health hazard, but they do affect daily comfort. The primary complaints are:
- Skin and Hair: Dissolved minerals can lead to dry skin, an itchy scalp, and dull, brittle hair as soap residue is left behind.
- Bathing: Soap and shampoo don't lather as effectively, making it difficult to feel completely clean. This same residue creates soap scum on shower doors and tiles.
- Baby Formula: For families, using hard water to prepare baby formula can be a concern, though it is generally considered safe. Many parents opt for filtered water for peace of mind.
Filtration Guide for Harrison's Water
With a moderate hardness level of 5.0 GPG, a full whole-house water softener is typically not a cost-effective solution. The long-term numbers show this: while you might save $54 annually on detergents and energy efficiency, a system costing around $1,500 would take nearly 27.8 years to pay for itself.
Instead, targeted solutions are more practical:
- For Drinking Water: A high-quality activated carbon pitcher filter (like Brita or Pur) or a faucet-mounted filter is sufficient to improve taste and remove chlorine.
- For Apartments/Rentals: A showerhead filter can make a noticeable difference for your skin and hair without requiring a permanent installation.
- Upgrade Option: An under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system offers pristine drinking water and eliminates the need for bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 per year.