How Hard Water Affects Your Family
The minerals in Nanuet's water are not a health hazard to consume. However, they do affect your daily routine. Moderately hard water makes it difficult for soap and shampoo to lather properly, leaving a film on your skin and hair. This residue can lead to dry, itchy skin, a flaky scalp, and hair that feels brittle and looks dull. For families with infants, preparing formula with this water can be a consideration, as the mineral content is higher than in soft water.
Choosing the Right Filtration for Nanuet
For water with a hardness level of 6.6 GPG, a whole-house water softener is typically not a necessary investment. Here's a practical guide:
- Recommended Solution: A high-quality pitcher filter (like Brita or ZeroWater) or a faucet-mounted filter is sufficient for improving the taste of drinking water and removing some hardness minerals for coffee and cooking.
- Whole-House Systems: A full water softener installation (around $1,500) offers comprehensive protection but has a very long payback period. With potential annual savings of only $72 on energy and detergents, a softener would take over 20.8 years to pay for itself in Nanuet.
An under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is a great middle ground, eliminating the need to buy bottled water, which can cost families $600-$900 per year.