Effects on Skin and Hair
Moderately hard water is safe to drink, but it often causes quality-of-life issues. The minerals in the water react with soaps and shampoos, preventing them from lathering and rinsing away completely. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and scalp.
- Dull, brittle hair that's difficult to manage.
- A sticky soap-scum residue left on your skin and shower surfaces.
- For families with infants, using hard water to prepare formula can be a concern, though it's not a direct health risk.
The Right Filtration for Hudson
For moderately hard water at 5.2 GPG, a whole-house system is usually not a cost-effective choice. Your best options are targeted solutions:
- For Drinking Water: A quality pitcher filter (like Brita or PUR) or a faucet-mount filter will effectively remove minerals and improve taste for drinking and cooking.
- The Math Doesn't Work for Softeners: A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) would save an estimated $54 per year on energy and appliance wear. This results in a payback period of nearly 28 years, making it an impractical investment for most Hudson homeowners.
- Consider Bottled Water Costs: If your family spends $600-$900 per year on bottled water, an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system provides far superior water on tap and can pay for itself in under two years.