How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While hard water is not considered a direct health hazard, it significantly affects skin and hair. The high mineral content prevents soap from rinsing cleanly, leaving a residue that can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp
- Soap scum rings in bathtubs and showers
For families with infants, using very hard water to prepare baby formula can introduce a high concentration of minerals that a baby's system doesn't need.
Filtration Solutions for Fairfield's Water
With a hardness level of 19.9 GPG, simple pitcher filters are inadequate for protecting your home. The recommended solution is a comprehensive, two-part system:
- Whole-House Water Softener: An ion-exchange water softener is the most effective way to remove hardness minerals from your entire plumbing system, protecting your water heater, dishwasher, and pipes.
- Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO): For the best tasting and purest drinking water, an RO system installed at the kitchen sink removes any residual sodium from the softening process and other contaminants.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) is a sound investment. It pays for itself in approximately 7.1 years through annual savings of $212 on energy, detergents, and avoided appliance replacement costs.