How Hard Water Affects Your Family
While municipal water in Oklahoma City is safe to drink, its hardness has noticeable effects on skin and hair. The dissolved minerals prevent soap from rinsing completely, leaving a film on your skin that can clog pores and lead to dryness, irritation, and an itchy scalp. Hair can feel brittle, dull, and difficult to manage.
This soap scum residue isn't just a nuisance; it can aggravate conditions like eczema and psoriasis. When preparing baby formula, the high mineral content can also be a consideration for parents, although it is not considered a direct health hazard.
Water Filtration Guide for Oklahoma City
With water hardness at 17.1 GPG, simple pitcher or faucet filters are insufficient to protect your home. A comprehensive solution is necessary.
- Recommendation: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective solution for this level of hardness. It removes the mineral ions that cause scale buildup. For drinking water, pairing a softener with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system is ideal, as it removes the sodium added during the softening process.
- Payback Calculation: The average American family spends $600-$900 per year on bottled water. An under-sink RO system eliminates this cost. For a whole-house system, the economics are also compelling. A typical softener installation (~$1,500) pays for itself in just 8.2 years through annual savings of $184 on energy, detergents, and avoided appliance repairs and replacements.
- Alternative: For homeowners who prefer not to handle salt or have concerns about brine discharge, a salt-free water conditioner is an alternative, though it primarily prevents scale from sticking rather than removing the minerals entirely.