How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a direct health risk, very hard water creates daily frustrations that impact your quality of life. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp
- Soap scum buildup on showers and tubs
For families with infants, preparing baby formula with untreated hard water can be a concern due to the high mineral concentration.
Filtration Guide for 17.8 GPG Water
With water hardness this high, simple pitcher or faucet filters are inadequate as they do not remove hardness minerals. Protecting your home requires a targeted solution.
- Best Solution: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective way to eliminate scale buildup and protect your entire plumbing system. For the best quality drinking water, pair this with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system.
- Salt-Free Alternative: A salt-free water conditioner can help prevent scale from adhering to pipes and appliances, but it does not remove the minerals, so you won't get the 'soft water' feel.
The Payback: A professionally installed whole-house softener costs around $1,500. Based on estimated annual savings of $189 on energy (from Ohio Power Co), detergents, and extended appliance life, the system pays for itself in approximately 7.9 years.