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What the study found
Researchers took hair strands from 15 volunteers and cut each sample in half. One half was washed in hard water, the other in distilled water, every other day for 30 days. Then they measured the minerals left on the hair.
- Calcium: 0.804% on the hard-water hair, 0.26% on the distilled-water hair. About 3 times as much.
- Magnesium: 0.34% on the hard-water hair, 0.078% on the distilled-water hair. About 4 times as much.
The hard water in the study measured 212.5 ppm of hardness. The distilled water measured close to none.
What follows from that: water with low or zero grains of hardness has less calcium and magnesium in it, so there is less of both to leave behind.
Source: Srinivasan and Rangachari, International Journal of Dermatology, 2016. Read the abstract on PubMed.
Same water, everywhere it touches
Hair is one place hard water leaves its minerals. It is not the only one. When hard water dries or heats up, the calcium and magnesium stay behind.
- Shower glass and doors: white spots and a cloudy film.
- Faucets and fixtures: a chalky crust around the spout and handles.
- Shower heads: buildup in the nozzles.
- Water heaters: scale inside the tank and on heating surfaces.
More on the spots on glass and fixtures and hard water and water heaters.
How hard is Southern California water?
Every water agency publishes a hardness figure for its customers each year. These are district reports, an average across a whole system. The U.S. Geological Survey calls water over 180 milligrams per liter of hardness "very hard". Every Orange County figure in our city table is over that line. A few of them, from each agency's own report:
- Anaheim, City of Anaheim: 18 gpg. Report
- Lake Forest, El Toro Water District: 14 to 17 gpg. Report
- Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita Water District: 15 gpg. Report
- San Clemente, City of San Clemente: 14 to 17 gpg. Report
- Santa Ana, City of Santa Ana: 14 gpg. Report
- Irvine, Irvine Ranch Water District: 12.5 to 17.1 gpg. Report
Every other Orange County and Inland Empire city we have checked is on the hard water by city page. The water at one home can read higher or lower than the district average. The free water analysis measures it at your tap.
Your options
There is no one system that fits every home. Some systems take the hardness out. Some filter chlorine and chloramines. Some do both.
Which one fits depends on your water, your home and the rules where you live. The free water analysis is how we pick. No pushing one system.
If you already treat your water for hardness, you may not need anything from us.
What the free water analysis is
A Nuvia water specialist comes to your home and checks the water at your tap for hardness, chlorine and total dissolved solids. We bring your city's published hardness number, so you can see how your own water compares. Then we show you the options that fit what we find.
It is free. There is no obligation to buy.
Why Nuvia
- Founded in 2012, serving Southern California homes.
- California licensed contractor, CSLB #969902.
- 4.6 stars across 1,600+ Google reviews.
- Every system is installed by experienced, Nuvia-qualified technicians, coordinated and supported by Nuvia.
Sources
Questions people ask
I already sent my info. What happens next?
A Nuvia water specialist calls you at the number you gave. If you want to move faster, call (951) 734-7400 or book your free water analysis on this page.
Was the study about softened water?
No. The comparison was distilled water, which the researchers measured at close to no hardness. Softened water is not distilled water. What follows from the numbers is simple. Water with low or zero grains of hardness has less calcium and magnesium in it, so there is less of both to leave behind.
Will a water system change how hair looks or feels?
We do not promise that. The study measured minerals on hair. It did not look at any water system. What a system changes is the water itself, how much calcium and magnesium is in it or how much chlorine and chloramine gets through.
Does the water analysis cost anything?
No. The water analysis is free and there is no obligation to buy.
Do you serve my area?
Nuvia serves Southern California, with a focus on Orange County and the Inland Empire. A specialist confirms your address when you book.
Book your free water analysis today.
A Nuvia specialist checks your water at your tap and shows you the numbers.