Gracie - I have a question for you - Do you find that when showering/bathing the hardness of the water make the soap/shampoo not lather too well? Thanks...

Anne

Nope. Just the same.

So did I. We use Potassium Chloride salt to save the landscaping tho. Very happy with it. I did a LOT of research and, while the Kinectco and others are roughly 4x more expensive, they don't seem to perform any better.

The unit we got is also removes the chlorine from the water coming in to the house. Our testing showed that the Villages water has really high chlorine content.

Go cheap
 

Lived here for 5 years with the hard water. Never liked it but also never liked expensive, bulky and/or salty fixes.

Recently went with a whole house water filter system from Kiley & Sons plumbers (753-5301). About $350. $7 to $10 filters last 3 months - available from Amazon and others. Takes up little room.

We think it works fine. If you don't like it, can always go the other routes suggested.

You know some folks mentioned to me they don't get a good lather in their hair but honestly, I don't have that problem at all or the filtration system makes your hair and skin so soft. I don't believe that for a second. When I step out of the shower, my skin is very soft even with the hard water. It is during the winter that our skin gets very dry and flakey. If we decide to get a water softening system it will be through Sears, Home Depot or Lowes. We were quoted between $4,000 to $5,000 for a new water system. It is just something to think about when it comes to that much money to shell out for a new system. I have been slowly trying to drink the water out of the refrigerator filter when I make a cup of tea versus drinking bottle water. I did notice the difference in taste in the beginning but now I am getting used to it.

Been here one week in a new home....water from faucet is fine. If the water is keeping you away from TV...there have to be other reasons.

Ours tested more concentrated than pool chlorine levels. My wife did not like the white water spots on the sink bath and inside the dishwasher.

We installed a system and potassium based softener and have never looked back. Shower's now feel great no water spots and no chlorine smell. A reverse osmosis is used for drinking water and washing vegetables.

I used our own chlorine test kit. Did not use the water sales persons. However his results and mine were the same.

I bought three kits, one on line one from Water Boss, one from Home Depot and one from Lowes.

I'm not saying village water is unhealthy. And for some it it's just fine tasting and feeling. Gracie is right like good home food it's different here.

I'm saying for us it made our skin dry and itch, my wife's hair color wash out and it left spots on appliances. We washed our clothes in the new water without any soap. We were amazed at the soap suds that came out of the clothes.

I myself have occupational asthma and the chlorine in a hot shower can aggravate my lungs. Buying a system is a personal choice. Believe me I would have preferred to NOT spend the money. I say live in your home for a month and see if it is ok.

I do think there may be a difference of water quality from different villages. and there are many good systems out there to pick from.

I would agree that removing the chlorine and particulates is more important than just soft water alone.