Effects on Skin and Hair
While the minerals in Florence's water are not a health hazard, they directly affect your quality of life. The calcium and magnesium ions react with soap to form a sticky residue, preventing a clean rinse. This can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and scalp
- Dull, brittle, and frizzy hair
- Aggravation of skin conditions like eczema for sensitive individuals
- When preparing baby formula, the mineral content can alter the taste and consistency slightly.
Filtration Guide for Moderately Hard Water
With a hardness of 5.9 GPG, a full whole-house water softener is typically not a sound financial investment for Florence homeowners. While you would see an estimated $63 in annual savings, an installed softener system costs around $1,500. This results in a payback period of nearly 24 years.
For this moderate level, we recommend more targeted and cost-effective solutions:
- For Drinking Water: A quality pitcher filter (e.g., Brita, PUR) or a faucet-mount filter will effectively remove chlorine taste and some minerals, significantly improving taste and odor for a low cost.
- For Showers: A showerhead filter can help reduce scale and chlorine, leading to softer skin and hair without altering the entire home's plumbing.