Daily Effects on Skin and Hair
While the minerals in Glenpool's water pose no direct health risk, they do affect personal hygiene. Hard water reacts with soap to form a sticky scum that doesn't rinse off easily. This residue can clog pores, leading to dry and itchy skin, and coats hair shafts, leaving hair looking dull and feeling brittle. Many residents report a feeling of 'squeaky' but unclean skin after showering, which is a telltale sign of soap scum.
Recommended Water Treatment for 9.2 GPG Hardness
With water hardness at 9.2 GPG, installing a water treatment system provides a strong return on investment by protecting your appliances and improving your quality of life. Consider these options:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: An ideal solution for this level of hardness. It neutralizes the minerals that form scale without using salt or wasting water, protecting your water heater and pipes.
- Traditional Water Softener: This system removes hardness minerals completely. While highly effective, the financial payback is long; a ~$1,500 system would take 15.2 years to pay for itself with the estimated $99 in annual savings.
- Point-of-Use Filters: At a minimum, consider an under-sink reverse osmosis system for pure, great-tasting drinking water. This eliminates the expense and waste of bottled water for good.