Separating Plumbing Material Effects from Source Water in Dry Skin Issues
When investigating dry skin linked to household water, it's important to distinguish between the influence of your plumbing and the water's original characteristics. Pipes and fixtures, especially older ones, can interact with water to alter its feel or cause minor changes in mineral deposits. These changes may heighten skin dryness symptoms independent of the source water's makeup.
Key Information to Gather Before Seeking Water Treatment Advice
Before pursuing solutions or consultations, record essential details about your water system and household:
- The age and type of your home plumbing materials
- Whether you use municipal or well water
- Any prior water quality tests performed, including dates and results
- Descriptions of when and where dry skin symptoms appear most noticeably
- Household size and average daily water use to estimate treatment needs
Influence of Sample and Well Depth on Water Quality Expectations
Water quality, including mineral content related to dryness, can vary based on how deep groundwater is drawn. The Shelby County data was collected from wells between 34 and 93 feet deep. Minerals like calcium and magnesium, which contribute to what is commonly termed water hardness, may increase with depth but also vary by local geology. Understanding this helps frame what levels you might expect in your water.
Additional Considerations for Commercial or Industrial Water Users
While households focus mainly on comfort and skin effects, larger operations may require considerations such as system capacity, flow rates, and regulations affecting product use. These factors influence treatment choices differently from those in residential settings.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variations in Shelby County Aquifer Water Hardness
The United States Geological Survey collected 56 water samples from 24 wells in the Shelby County aquifer area between April 2011 and June 2019. The median calcium and magnesium concentration—key contributors to hardness—was 34.35 mg/L, with a range spanning as low as 14.6 mg/L to as high as 408.0 mg/L across all samples. These numbers reflect natural variation over years and locations within the aquifer. Importantly, none of the samples exceeded any federal thresholds for these minerals.
This range demonstrates that water hardness levels can vary considerably even within the same area and over time. Such variation can influence the degree of dryness experienced, but only specific testing of your water can determine your household’s situation.
Recommended Testing to Clarify Your Household Water Quality
To resolve uncertainty about whether your water hardness contributes to dry skin, order a certified laboratory test measuring calcium and magnesium levels in your household water supply. This test directly assesses mineral concentrations and allows informed decisions on treatment options.
If your test shows hardness in the upper part of the Shelby County range, you might consider using the Fleck Dry, Itchy Skin System. This system is designed to help manage the mineral-related factors that can contribute to dry skin symptoms.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-06-11. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 112TRRC aquifer (Shelby County): 56 results from 24 wells, median 34.35 mg/L, range 14.6-408.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold
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