How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a health risk, Oxford's very hard water significantly impacts daily comfort. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This leads to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and itchy scalp
- A constant film on shower doors and fixtures
For families with infants, using hard water to prepare baby formula can be a concern due to the high mineral concentration.
Filtration Guide for Oxford's 19.9 GPG Water
With water this hard, pitcher filters and faucet mounts are simply not enough. They will be overwhelmed quickly and are not cost-effective. The appropriate solution is a whole-house system.
- Primary Recommendation: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution. It removes the hardness minerals entirely, protecting your entire plumbing system and every water-using appliance.
- Alternative: A salt-free water conditioner can be an option if you wish to avoid salt discharge. It crystallizes minerals to prevent them from sticking to surfaces but does not physically remove them.
- Drinking Water: Pair your whole-house system with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for purified, great-tasting drinking water.
The investment pays for itself. A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) is offset by the $212 saved annually on energy, detergents, and appliance wear. The system will pay for itself in approximately 7.1 years, after which the savings are purely profit.