How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a direct health hazard, 17 GPG water creates noticeable quality-of-life issues. The minerals prevent soap from lathering properly, leaving a sticky residue on skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Brittle, dull hair and an itchy scalp
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors and fixtures
For families, this also means having to use more soap for bathing and ensuring baby formula is prepared with filtered water to avoid introducing excess mineral content.
Filtration Guide for Roswell's 17 GPG Water
With water this hard, targeted solutions are essential to protect your home. For hardness levels above 15 GPG, we strongly recommend a comprehensive approach:
- Primary System: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It removes the hardness minerals at their point of entry, protecting every pipe and appliance in your home.
- Drinking Water: Pair the softener with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system. This provides purified, great-tasting water for drinking and cooking.
The financial case is clear. A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 8.3 years through annual savings of $180 on energy from your Southwestern Public Service Co bill, reduced detergent costs, and avoiding premature appliance replacement. An RO system also eliminates the need for bottled water, saving an average family $600-$900 per year.