Daily Effects on Skin and Hair
While the minerals in Artesia's water are not considered a health risk for consumption, they do impact daily hygiene and comfort. The high mineral concentration reacts poorly with soaps:
- It leaves a film on your skin, leading to dryness, irritation, and potentially worsening conditions like eczema.
- Hair becomes dull, brittle, and coated with mineral residue that weighs it down.
- Shaving can be more difficult as razors clog and don't glide smoothly over skin.
Filtration Strategy for Artesia's 17.8 GPG Water
At this extreme level of hardness, a whole-home solution is not optional—it's a financial necessity to protect your investment. The recommended approach is a multi-barrier system:
- Primary System: A high-capacity, salt-based whole-house water softener is the most effective solution. It removes the hardness minerals at the source, protecting every pipe, fixture, and appliance in your home.
- Drinking Water: Pair the softener with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) filter. This will remove any residual sodium from the softening process and provide pristine water for drinking, cooking, and making ice.
Investing in a whole-house softener (approx. $1,500 installed) is a smart financial move. With annual savings of $189 on energy and supplies, the system pays for itself in just 7.9 years while preventing thousands in premature appliance replacements.