Does Ontario, California Have Hard Water…And What Can I Do About It?

Much like other regions, Ontario, California contends with the challenges posed by hard water, characterized by elevated levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. The city’s water sources, including underground aquifers and local reservoirs, contribute to this phenomenon.

Hard water can result in several difficulties for residents. From leaving mineral deposits on dishes and appliances to hindering soap and shampoo lathering, and even causing dry skin and hair, these issues are not uncommon. However, there are effective measures you can take to counteract these problems, such as utilizing water softeners or installing filtration systems designed to remove these minerals. While hard water is safe to drink, it can have a lasting impact on appliances and plumbing systems. Therefore, understanding the hardness of your water and taking appropriate actions to mitigate potential drawbacks are important.

Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey highlight that nearly 90 percent of American homes, including those in Ontario, California, experience hard water, defined by an excess of calcium and magnesium minerals. This can adversely affect appliances, pipes, and even impact the condition of your skin and hair.

The hardness of water in Ontario, California can vary depending on factors such as geological conditions and water sources. However, on a general scale, Ontario’s water is categorized as moderately hard to hard. Drinking water in Ontario averages about 7.2 grains per gallon (gr/gal) or 123 parts per million (ppm), according to the City of Ontario. Places like Pomona are up to 206 ppm. The USGS classifies more than 180 ppm as “very hard.”

Much like in other areas, hard water presents a series of challenges in Ontario, with health implications being a significant concern. Skin irritation and dryness are among the foremost issues. The minerals present in hard water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and discomfort.

Moreover, hard water can make hair brittle and dry, which can result in breakage and split ends. Difficulty in generating lather with soap and shampoo can contribute to bacterial buildup on the skin and scalp, potentially triggering conditions such as acne and dandruff. Additionally, hard water’s mineral deposits can accumulate in pipes and appliances, potentially impacting their efficiency and lifespan. Given these implications, the health effects of hard water in Ontario underscore the importance of taking precautionary measures.

To mitigate the challenges of hard water, residents in Ontario, CA can implement several proactive measures. Regular cleaning practices can help minimize dust and debris accumulation. Employing certified water softeners can effectively reduce the hardness of your water, resulting in softer skin and hair and saying goodbye to hard water stains.

By staying informed about the hardness of Ontario’s water and adopting preventive actions, residents can minimize the impact of hard water on their well-being. Schedule your free water test today!

There are proactive steps you can take to stop hard water buildup from affecting your home or your family. This includes keeping your surfaces around water clean and dry, and using spray cleaner on shower doors and mirrors regularly.

Home remedies can help temporarily. Most solutions involve white vinegar, which is a general household cleaning solution:

Fixtures are the hardest places to deal with hard water spots, because often you can’t see the heart of the problem.

An easy way to deal with this, however, is to remove the fixtures (if you can) and soak them in a solution of vinegar or lemon juice. Even if it’s only a few hours, soaking fixtures helps dissolve hard water build up throughout, and can access hard-to-reach places where buildup can be causing the most issues.

If you can’t remove the fixtures, try filling a water-tight plastic bag with your vinegar or lemon solution and tying it to the fixture (rubber bands can be a great way to get this to hold.) Leave it on as long as you can, and you should find your fixtures running clearer than before.

A water softener provides numerous benefits that pay for itself over time.

In addition to reducing chemical exposure when you shower, shower head filters can also improve your hair’s shine and feel, as well as support healthier, softer skin by minimizing contact with chemicals and toxins. If you choose a water filter that softens water as well, you’ll also notice that you need less soap, shampoo, and conditioner to get the job done as soft water helps less product lather up quickly — saving you money with every shower.

Shower head filters can be useful even — and especially — if you live in a dorm, rental home, or apartment, or somewhere that already features whole home water filtration. Not all water filters are created equal, so unless you’ve done the research to know exactly what kind of water filter your water is passing through, it may not make much difference when it comes to your general health, hair or skin care routine.

Softeners and filtration systems need to be serviced regularly to be effective, so if your landlord or property manager isn’t on top of the recommended maintenance, a shower head filter can be a great choice to ensure your shower is not only safe, but easier on your hair and skin. An extra bonus? Your shower will also be easier to clean, since shower head filters make it less likely water will leave unsightly or hard-to-remove hard water spots and residue on the shower and fixtures.

The short answer is no. Many people may notice a change in their hair if they move from a location with hard water to a location with soft water, however this change is generally unrelated to the amount of hair you have (or whether it’s falling out)— rather it has to do with the quality of your hair. In general, other changes in your environment may cause hair loss. If you’re not eating a healthy diet, or recently experienced a stressful event like moving homes or starting a new job, the hair loss culprit is more likely that than your water quality.

Soap scum isn’t just for your bathroom tiles – it can build up on your skin, too. The minerals in hard water leave a film around your epidermis that clogs your pores, trapping the natural oils and forming blemishes.

The natural oils in your skin work hard to lubricate and provide moisture. The film left around your skin clogs your pores, leaving your skin to feel dry and itchy.

Hard water may cause your skin to age faster. Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross says many of the impurities in hard water can form free radicals that damage healthy skin cells. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. This can also lead to a breakdown of collagen, a structural protein that helps your skin look and feel healthy.

The piping used in home plumbing, whether copper or PVC, does not allow the bacteria to settle and grow. But over time, scaling from the hard water provides a surface for bacteria to grow on, increasing the risk of pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella, which can cause Legionnaire’s Disease.

Lime scale will reduce the flow of water in your plumbing system by clogging pipes. This is particularly a big issue for older homes with steel pipes. Your water pressure can lower over time, possibly requiring a full pipe replacement.

The chronic, itchy skin rash that affects 20 percent of babies and young children is painful for your child, and a pain for you to deal with. Furthermore, while eczema conditions are known to improve with age, there is no true cure, and its regression is unpredictable in nature.

There are many preventative measures that people practice to mitigate the effects of eczema, or the chances of your child contracting it. Most are related to clothing, detergents, bathing, topical creams, certain diets, and prescription medicine.

But what about the effects of hard water on your baby’s skin? From the bathtub to the laundry, the water used during these essential life events can have an adverse effect on your child.

High levels of hard water may be associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Lead author of the study Carsten Flohr, Ph.D. of the Institute of Dermatology at King’s College London, noted the purpose was not to study the causes and effects of eczema, but rather an association of homes that have hard water and the prevalence of eczema within those homes.

“We are about to launch a feasibility trial to assess whether installing a water softener in homes of high-risk children around the time of birth may reduce the risk of eczema, and whether reducing chlorine levels brings any additional benefits.”

Calcium and magnesium can do a number on your laundry. The fabrics can stiffen, and the color may dull if the dissolved minerals are not suspended in water when it is drained.

Many of your laundry detergent molecules are not being used properly, as they bind up the calcium and magnesium. This leaves less of these molecules available to trap dirt and grime.

Soap scum is the white film that comes from the addition to the fatty contents of soap to the mineral-rich ions of hard water. These are technically called “lime soaps.”

This type of soap is ineffective in washing dishes, clothes or hair. Because of this, more soap is required to form a lather, and more can stick to your hair and skin. Synthetic detergents are less likely to make this reaction.

Culligan offers a range of water softeners to meet different needs and preferences. It’s recommended to consult with a Culligan Ontario representative or a water treatment professional for a personalized recommendation.

That being said, here are some common types of Culligan water softeners:

When selecting a Culligan water softener for your Ontario, CA home, it’s crucial to consider factors like your water hardness level, water usage patterns, space availability for installation, and any specific concerns you have (such as water efficiency or additional water treatment needs).