Effects on Skin and Hair
While safe to drink, Orem's hard water poses challenges for personal care. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering effectively, leaving behind a residue that can lead to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp
- Difficulty when preparing baby formula, as minerals can affect consistency
Essentially, you never feel completely clean because a layer of soap curd remains on your skin and hair after every wash.
The Right Filtration for Orem's Water
With water as hard as 16.9 GPG, a simple pitcher filter won't protect your home. To guard your investment and improve your quality of life, you need a robust solution.
- Best Solution: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective choice. It removes hardness minerals entirely. Pairing this with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system provides purified drinking water, eliminating the need for bottled water (an average household expense of $600-$900 per year).
- Alternative: For those concerned about salt discharge, a salt-free water conditioner can prevent scale buildup, but it will not provide the 'soft water' feel or lathering benefits.
The Payback: A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 8.3 years through savings of $180/year on energy, detergent, and avoiding premature appliance replacement.