How 7.1 GPG Water Affects Skin and Hair
While hard water poses no direct health danger, its effects are felt daily. The high mineral content prevents soap from lathering effectively, leaving a film on your skin and hair. This residue can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema.
- Dull, brittle hair that's difficult to manage.
- A feeling of not being truly 'clean' after showering.
For families, preparing baby formula with hard water can be a concern, as the excess minerals can alter the formula's nutritional balance.
Filtration Guide for Forest Grove's Hard Water
At 7.1 GPG, you are right on the edge of needing a whole-house solution. Your choice depends on your budget and tolerance for scale buildup.
- Good: For drinking water, a quality pitcher filter or under-sink filter will improve taste and remove chlorine. However, this does not protect your appliances.
- Better (Recommended): A salt-free water conditioner is an excellent choice for this hardness level. It won't remove the minerals but will crystallize them so they can't form hard scale on pipes and heating elements. This protects your appliances without adding salt to your water.
- Best: A traditional whole-house water softener will remove the minerals entirely, providing soft water everywhere. While effective, the economics are a consideration. A system costing ~$1,500 pays for itself in about 19.7 years with annual savings of $76 on energy and detergents.
Considering that the average family spends over $600 a year on bottled water, an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for drinking can pay for itself very quickly while a conditioner protects your home's infrastructure.