Best Water Softener for Bakersfield, CA — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Bakersfield, CA

Every month, Bakersfield homeowners throw away an extra $47 without realizing it. This invisible drain on your wallet comes from one source: your city's 9.2 grains per gallon (GPG) water hardness combined with iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic contamination. While you're focused on your mortgage and utility bills, Bakersfield's mineral-heavy water is quietly shortening your appliance lifespans, forcing you to use triple the soap, and coating your pipes with scale deposits.

To understand what 9.2 GPG means, think of water hardness like compound interest working against you. Each gallon flowing through your Bakersfield home carries 9.2 grains of dissolved calcium and magnesium — minerals that accumulate daily inside your water heater, dishwasher, and coffee maker like financial debt. At this concentration, classified as "Hard" by water treatment standards, these minerals don't just pass through your plumbing harmlessly. They bond to heating elements, crystallize on surfaces, and react with soap to form sticky scum instead of cleansing lather.

Bakersfield draws its municipal water primarily from the Kern River and groundwater wells throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The geological foundation beneath Bakersfield — limestone, gypsum, and mineral-rich sedimentary rock — naturally dissolves calcium and magnesium into the water supply as it moves through underground aquifers. What emerges from your tap is water that has spent decades absorbing these hardness minerals from the earth.

At 9.2 GPG, your Bakersfield home experiences measurable damage within the first year of exposure. Your water heater loses 12-15% efficiency annually. Your dishwasher develops white film on glassware that becomes permanent etching. Your shower doors accumulate mineral buildup that requires harsh chemicals to remove. Most critically, your home's plumbing system — representing thousands of dollars in replacement value — begins narrowing from scale deposits that restrict water flow and increase pressure throughout the system.

2. What 9.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At 9.2 GPG, calcium carbonate scale forms a concrete-like coating on your water heater's heating elements within six months. This isn't gradual wear — it's accelerated equipment destruction. When water reaches 140°F inside your tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium precipitate out of solution and bond permanently to metal surfaces. Your water heater must work 15% harder to heat the same amount of water, increasing your energy bill by approximately $180 annually for a typical Bakersfield household.

The crystallization process happening inside your Bakersfield home's plumbing follows predictable chemistry. Calcium and magnesium ions, suspended in solution at 9.2 GPG, seek bonding sites when water temperature rises or evaporation occurs. They find these sites on pipe interiors, fixture surfaces, and appliance components. Over 18-24 months, a tankless water heater operating with 9.2 GPG water develops scale deposits thick enough to trigger manufacturer warranty voids. Most tankless heater companies explicitly require softened water in areas exceeding 7 GPG to maintain coverage.

Your washing machine and dishwasher face compound stress from Bakersfield's water profile. At 9.2 GPG, these appliances lose approximately 3-4 years from their expected 12-year lifespan. Scale builds up on heating elements, clogs spray arms, and damages pumps. The mineral deposits create rough surfaces where detergent residue accumulates, leading to bacterial growth and odors. Replacement costs for a mid-range washer and dishwasher total $2,400 — money you'll spend years earlier than homeowners in soft-water cities.

The soap and detergent waste in Bakersfield homes with 9.2 GPG water is mathematically predictable. Calcium and magnesium ions react with soap molecules to form precipitates — sticky scum that coats surfaces instead of cleaning them. A typical Bakersfield family uses 2.5 times more laundry detergent, 3 times more dishwasher pods, and 4 times more hand soap compared to soft-water areas. This totals approximately $340 in unnecessary cleaning product expenses annually.

Your skin and hair experience daily damage from 9.2 GPG exposure that compounds over time. Calcium ions strip natural moisture from skin cells and coat hair shafts with mineral film that shampoo cannot fully remove. Residents with sensitive skin or eczema report significant worsening of symptoms when moving to Bakersfield from soft-water cities. Hair becomes dull, brittle, and difficult to style due to mineral coating that blocks moisture absorption.

Laundry emerges from Bakersfield washing machines gray, stiff, and scratchy due to mineral deposits embedded in fabric fibers. White spotting on glassware becomes permanent etching when calcium deposits are heated during dishwasher cycles at 9.2 GPG concentration. This etching cannot be reversed — it requires complete glass replacement.

The annual "hard water tax" for a Bakersfield household dealing with 9.2 GPG totals approximately $890 when combining increased energy costs ($180), excess cleaning products ($340), and accelerated appliance depreciation ($370). This figure doesn't include pipe replacement costs or decreased home value from mineral-stained fixtures.

3. Bakersfield's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the 9.2 GPG hardness baseline, Bakersfield residents contend with iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic — each of which interacts with water hardness in its own problematic way. These contaminants don't exist in isolation; they compound the challenges created by calcium and magnesium minerals already present at concerning levels.

Iron Contamination

Iron enters Bakersfield's water supply through natural geological processes as groundwater passes through iron-bearing rock formations in the San Joaquin Valley. At 9.2 GPG hardness, iron bonds to existing calcium deposits, creating compounded staining that appears as orange-red streaks on fixtures, laundry, and dishware. Bakersfield residents typically encounter ferrous iron — dissolved and invisible until it oxidizes upon exposure to air or heat, then precipitates as visible rust-colored particles.

The interaction between iron and hardness minerals accelerates both problems simultaneously. Iron concentrations above 0.3 mg/L (the EPA secondary standard) foul water softener resin beads, reducing their calcium and magnesium removal efficiency. For Bakersfield homes with both 9.2 GPG hardness and elevated iron, an iron pre-filter upstream of the water softener prevents resin contamination and extends system life. The SoftPro Elite HE can handle low iron levels but requires protection from higher concentrations common in some Bakersfield neighborhoods.

Manganese Contamination

Manganese creates distinctive black and purple staining on Bakersfield fixtures, laundry, and dishwasher interiors that homeowners often mistake for mold or dirt. This mineral enters the water supply from the same geological sources as iron but oxidizes to form dark precipitates rather than rust-colored ones. At 9.2 GPG, the existing calcium carbonate deposits provide nucleation sites where manganese particles bond more readily, intensifying the staining pattern.

High GPG water accelerates manganese oxidation and precipitation, making the staining problem worse in hard-water cities like Bakersfield compared to soft-water areas with identical manganese levels. The EPA health advisory level for manganese is 0.1 mg/L for children due to potential neurological development concerns. Water softeners do not remove manganese — Bakersfield homes require a specialized greensand or birm pre-filter before the softener to address both contaminants effectively.

Chlorine Contamination

Bakersfield adds chlorine to municipal water as a disinfectant, but this treatment creates secondary problems for residents. Chlorine reacts with organic matter in the distribution system to form disinfection byproducts including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which carry long-term health concerns. The characteristic "swimming pool" taste and odor becomes more pronounced during summer months when treatment facilities increase chlorine dosing to combat bacterial growth in warmer weather.

Scale deposits from 9.2 GPG water provide protected environments where chlorine-resistant bacteria can establish colonies, requiring higher disinfection levels to maintain water safety. Chlorine also degrades rubber seals, gaskets, and O-rings throughout your home's plumbing system — damage that accelerates when combined with scale buildup that creates pressure points and chemical concentration zones. An activated carbon whole-house filter paired with the SoftPro Elite HE addresses both chlorine and hardness simultaneously.

Nitrate Contamination

Nitrates in Bakersfield's water originate from agricultural runoff throughout the San Joaquin Valley — one of the nation's most intensive farming regions. Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste contribute nitrogen compounds that leach into groundwater aquifers supplying the city. Nitrate levels fluctuate seasonally, typically peaking during spring months following winter fertilizer applications and increasing irrigation.

Critical accuracy point: water softeners do NOT remove nitrates from drinking water. The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrates is 10 mg/L, with infants under six months and pregnant women at particular risk above this threshold due to methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Bakersfield residents concerned about nitrate exposure require a reverse osmosis system at drinking water taps in addition to whole-house softening for hardness control.

Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic occurs naturally in Bakersfield's groundwater due to geological formations throughout central California containing arsenic-bearing minerals. Unlike contamination from industrial sources, this arsenic enters the water supply through natural dissolution processes as groundwater moves through arsenic-containing rock and sediment layers. Concentrations vary by well location and seasonal groundwater flow patterns.

Water softeners do NOT remove arsenic — this is a crucial limitation Bakersfield residents must understand. The EPA maximum contaminant level is 10 parts per billion (ppb), with long-term exposure linked to increased cancer risk and cardiovascular effects. For arsenic removal, Bakersfield homes require NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis systems at drinking water points, used in combination with whole-house softening to address the separate hardness issue.

4. Why Most Bakersfield Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Walking through Bakersfield home improvement stores, I've watched dozens of homeowners make the same costly mistakes when choosing water softeners. Here's what I wish someone had told them before they spent their money on systems that can't handle 9.2 GPG water combined with iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic contamination.

Mistake 1: Buying on Price Alone

An undersized water softener cannot handle the continuous 9.2 GPG demand from a Bakersfield household. Resin exhaustion happens faster at higher GPG levels — a 24,000-grain unit that works adequately in a 3 GPG soft-water city will experience resin breakthrough within 2-3 days when facing Bakersfield's mineral load. You'll notice hard water symptoms returning between regeneration cycles, defeating the entire purpose of softener installation. The math is unforgiving: higher GPG requires proportionally higher grain capacity, not just a cheaper price point.

Mistake 2: Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium only — they do NOT reliably remove iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, or arsenic. Bakersfield residents dealing with both 9.2 GPG hardness and multiple contaminants need a staged treatment approach. A softener handles the hardness minerals, while specialized filters address iron and manganese upstream, carbon filtration removes chlorine, and reverse osmosis tackles nitrates and arsenic at drinking water points. Expecting one system to solve all problems leads to disappointment and continued water quality issues.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

The sizing formula for Bakersfield water is non-negotiable: [Household members] × 75 gallons/day × 9.2 GPG = daily grain demand. A family of four needs 2,760 grains of capacity daily (4 × 75 × 9.2 = 2,760). Multiply by 7 days and you need 19,320 grains weekly, plus a 20% buffer for high-usage periods. This requires a minimum 48,000-grain system for reliable performance. Choosing smaller capacity based on manufacturer claims or sales recommendations leads to frequent regeneration, excessive salt use, and premature system failure.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 9.2 GPG, your water softener regenerates approximately twice per week — making salt efficiency a major operating cost factor. An inefficient system uses 2-3 times more salt than a high-efficiency model like the SoftPro Elite HE. Over a 10-year lifespan, this compounds into $800-1,200 in unnecessary salt expenses for a Bakersfield household. The initial price savings from buying a cheaper, less efficient system disappears within the first two years of operation.

5. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Bakersfield's Water

After evaluating Bakersfield's water hardness of 9.2 GPG and the presence of iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Bakersfield homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This isn't marketing hyperbole — it's the logical engineering solution to the specific challenges documented in Bakersfield's water profile.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange Technology

Salt-free systems do not actually remove hardness minerals — they only attempt to change crystal structure through template-assisted crystallization. At 9.2 GPG, salt-free conditioners cannot prevent scale formation or provide the soap-friendly soft water Bakersfield residents need. The SoftPro Elite HE uses proven cation exchange resin to physically replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions — the only technology that delivers genuinely soft water at this hardness level. This isn't a preference; it's a chemical necessity.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR)

At 9.2 GPG, resin exhausts faster than in soft-water cities, making regeneration timing critical. The SoftPro's demand-initiated regeneration monitors actual water usage and hardness removal, regenerating only when the resin bed is approaching exhaustion. This prevents hard water breakthrough (under-regeneration) that would allow scale formation, while avoiding salt and water waste from unnecessary regeneration cycles. For Bakersfield households consuming 2,760 grains of capacity daily, this precision control is operationally essential.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Resin

Third-party certification verifies that the resin meets performance benchmarks and materials safety standards established by the National Sanitation Foundation. For Bakersfield residents already managing iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic contamination, knowing that the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contaminants provides critical peace of mind. The certification covers both hardness removal efficiency and resin durability under continuous high-GPG operation.

Multiple Grain Capacity Options

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000 grain capacity models. For a typical 4-person Bakersfield household at 9.2 GPG, the 48,000-grain model provides optimal 5-7 day regeneration cycles. Larger households or those with high water usage should consider the 64,000-grain unit. The ability to match system size precisely to household demand prevents both under-capacity problems and over-sizing waste common with one-size-fits-all competitors.

10-Year Comprehensive Warranty

At 9.2 GPG, water softener resin experiences heavy daily mineral loading — approximately 1 million grains of hardness removal annually for a typical Bakersfield household. The SoftPro's 10-year warranty covers parts, labor, and resin replacement during the period of highest operational stress. This protection level reflects manufacturer confidence in component durability under Bakersfield's demanding water conditions.

Iron and Manganese Pre-Filtration Compatibility

The SoftPro Elite HE integrates seamlessly with upstream iron and manganese removal systems required by many Bakersfield homes. The system's control valve and resin bed are designed to handle the intermittent backwash cycles and flow rate changes associated with greensand or birm pre-filters. This compatibility prevents the integration problems that plague homeowners trying to connect incompatible treatment components.

Self-Cleaning Sediment Pre-Filter

Bakersfield's aging water infrastructure occasionally delivers particulate matter from pipe corrosion, main breaks, or maintenance activities. The SoftPro's integrated sediment pre-filter captures particles before they reach the resin bed, while automatically backwashing accumulated debris during regeneration cycles. This protects resin life and maintains consistent performance without requiring manual filter cartridge replacement.

For Bakersfield households dealing with 9.2 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of multiple contaminants, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Bakersfield

Proper sizing for Bakersfield's 9.2 GPG water follows a precise calculation that accounts for your household's specific usage patterns. Using the wrong formula or manufacturer estimates leads to undersized systems that fail within months or oversized units that waste salt and water unnecessarily.

Step 1: Count household members
Include all full-time residents, including children. Visitors and part-time occupants don't significantly impact sizing calculations.

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day
This accounts for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing. Bakersfield's hot climate may increase usage slightly, but 75 gallons remains the standard planning figure.

Step 3: Calculate daily grain demand
Household gallons × 9.2 GPG = daily grain demand
Example: 4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily
300 gallons × 9.2 GPG = 2,760 grains daily

Step 4: Calculate weekly grain demand
Daily grains × 7 days = weekly demand
2,760 grains × 7 = 19,320 grains weekly

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days
19,320 × 1.20 = 23,184 grains weekly capacity needed

Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity
32K model: Suitable for 1-2 people
48K model: Optimal for 3-4 people (recommended for our example)
64K model: Best for 5-6 people or high-usage households
80K model: Large families or commercial applications

For the 4-person Bakersfield household in this example, the 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE provides optimal performance with regeneration every 5-7 days. This regeneration frequency maximizes salt efficiency while ensuring consistent soft water delivery at 9.2 GPG consumption rates.

7. Installation in Bakersfield: What to Know

Bakersfield requires licensed plumber installation for water softener systems that connect to the main water line — this isn't optional. The city's plumbing code mandates professional installation to ensure proper backflow prevention, drain connections, and compliance with local water conservation ordinances. DIY installation voids most manufacturer warranties and can create liability issues with your homeowner's insurance.

Proper placement follows a specific sequence: after the main shutoff valve and pressure regulator, but before the water heater and any branch lines. The SoftPro Elite HE requires a dedicated drain line within 20 feet for regeneration discharge — your plumber will connect this to a laundry sink, floor drain, or sump pit. Basement installations are rare in Bakersfield due to geological conditions, so most units install in garages, utility rooms, or exterior enclosures.

Bakersfield's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 40-65 PSI, which suits the SoftPro Elite HE's operating requirements perfectly. If your home has pressure above 80 PSI, your plumber will install a pressure-reducing valve to protect the system's internal components and prevent premature wear. High pressure is common in hillside neighborhoods and can damage softener control valves over time.

Salt type selection matters significantly at 9.2 GPG consumption rates. Use only evaporated salt pellets — never rock salt or solar crystals — in Bakersfield installations. Evaporated pellets contain 99.8% pure sodium chloride with minimal impurities that could foul resin or leave brine tank residue. At 9.2 GPG, impurities from lower-grade salt accelerate resin degradation and reduce system efficiency.

Salt level monitoring becomes routine maintenance in Bakersfield due to frequent regeneration cycles. Check the brine tank monthly and maintain salt levels 3-4 inches above the water line. A 4-person household typically uses 80-120 pounds of salt monthly at 9.2 GPG, depending on actual water usage patterns.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Bakersfield Homeowners

Bakersfield's 9.2 GPG water hardness combined with iron, manganese, and chlorine contamination requires more frequent maintenance than soft-water cities. This proactive schedule prevents system failures and maintains peak efficiency throughout the 10-year warranty period.

Monthly Tasks

Salt level inspection is critical at 9.2 GPG consumption rates. Check the brine tank on the 1st of each month. Maintain 3-4 inches of salt above the waterline. Watch for salt bridges — a hardened crust that forms above the water and prevents proper dissolving. Break bridges with a broom handle and remove loose salt pieces that could clog the brine valve.

Verify the bypass valve remains in the "service" position. Family members sometimes switch to bypass during plumbing work and forget to restore normal operation, allowing hard water throughout the house.

Quarterly Tasks (Every 3 Months)

Clean the brine tank completely to remove salt residue and sediment. Empty remaining salt, scrub interior surfaces with warm water, and refill with fresh evaporated pellets. This prevents bacterial growth and maintains proper brine concentration for effective regeneration.

Test post-softener water hardness with test strips available at hardware stores. Properly functioning systems should deliver water under 1 GPG — if readings exceed this, schedule professional resin cleaning or replacement.

If your home has iron contamination, inspect the resin bed for orange or brown discoloration indicating iron fouling. Use iron-specific resin cleaner according to manufacturer directions to restore capacity.

Annual Tasks

Complete brine tank disinfection using unscented bleach solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water). This eliminates any bacterial colonies that could affect water taste or odor. Rinse thoroughly and regenerate twice before returning to service.

Audit regeneration cycles using the control panel diagnostics. Confirm regeneration frequency matches your calculated grain demand — systems regenerating more than twice weekly may indicate undersizing or resin degradation.

Five-Year Evaluation

At 9.2 GPG, assess resin bed performance after 5 years of operation. High-GPG cities stress resin more than soft-water areas, potentially requiring earlier replacement. If post-softener hardness consistently exceeds 1 GPG despite proper maintenance, consider resin renewal.

9. Is Bakersfield's water at 9.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

Bakersfield's 9.2 GPG hardness level is not dangerous for drinking — calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that pose no health risks at these concentrations. In fact, the World Health Organization suggests that hard water may provide beneficial dietary minerals. However, the iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic also present in Bakersfield's supply require more careful evaluation based on individual health circumstances and concentration levels.

10. Will a water softener remove iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic from Bakersfield water?

Water softeners remove only calcium and magnesium through ion exchange — they do NOT reliably remove iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, or arsenic. The SoftPro Elite HE can handle trace iron levels below 0.3 mg/L, but higher concentrations require dedicated iron filtration upstream. Manganese needs specialized oxidizing media. Chlorine requires activated carbon filtration. Nitrates and arsenic demand reverse osmosis treatment at drinking water points. Bakersfield residents need a comprehensive treatment approach, not just softening.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Bakersfield at 9.2 GPG?

A typical 4-person Bakersfield household uses 80-120 pounds of salt monthly with properly sized softener equipment. This calculation assumes 300 gallons daily usage at 9.2 GPG with regeneration every 5-7 days using high-efficiency settings. Larger households, higher water usage, or less efficient systems increase consumption proportionally. At current Bakersfield salt prices ($6-8 per 40-pound bag), monthly salt costs range from $12-24.

12. Does Bakersfield require a permit to install a water softener?

Bakersfield requires plumbing permits for water softener installations that connect to the main water line and municipal drain systems. The permit ensures proper backflow prevention, appropriate drain connections, and compliance with local water conservation requirements. Licensed contractors typically handle permit applications as part of installation services. DIY installations violate local codes and void manufacturer warranties.

13. Why does soft water feel slippery in the shower?

Soft water feels slippery because soap actually works properly for the first time in your Bakersfield home. At 9.2 GPG, calcium and maganese ions normally react with soap to form sticky precipitates instead of slippery lather. Once these minerals are removed, soap creates genuine suds that feel different on skin accustomed to hard water. This slippery sensation indicates effective softening — your soap is cleaning rather than forming scum.

14. How quickly will I see results after installing a softener in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield homeowners notice immediate changes in soap lather and water feel within hours of SoftPro Elite HE installation. White spotting on dishes disappears after the first dishwasher cycle. However, existing scale deposits in pipes and appliances require 3-6 months to gradually dissolve and flush away. Energy efficiency improvements become measurable on utility bills within 60-90 days as scale dissolves from water heater elements.

15. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Bakersfield's water without additional filtration?

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively addresses Bakersfield's 9.2 GPG hardness but requires supplemental filtration for complete contaminant removal. Iron levels above 0.3 mg/L need pre-filtration to protect resin. Chlorine removal requires activated carbon filtration. Nitrates and arsenic demand point-of-use reverse osmosis at drinking water taps. The softener handles its intended function perfectly but cannot solve every water quality challenge simultaneously.

16. What maintenance warnings should Bakersfield homeowners watch for?

Warning signs of system problems in Bakersfield include hard water symptoms returning between regenerations, excessive salt usage, unusual noises during regeneration, or water discoloration. White spotting reappearing on dishes indicates resin exhaustion or iron fouling. Salt bridges in the brine tank prevent proper regeneration. Orange or brown water suggests iron breakthrough requiring immediate attention. Address these symptoms quickly to prevent permanent system damage.

17. Final Verdict for Bakersfield

Bakersfield's water hardness of 9.2 GPG demands professional-grade treatment — this isn't a minor inconvenience you can ignore. The combination of hard water with iron, manganese, chlorine, nitrates, and arsenic creates a layered challenge that requires both immediate action and long-term planning. Every month you delay installing proper treatment costs your household money in wasted soap, energy inefficiency, and accelerated appliance wear.

The SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener rises above competing systems because its demand-initiated regeneration, NSF-certified resin, and 10-year warranty directly address the operational demands of 9.2 GPG water. The system's compatibility with iron pre-filtration and carbon post-filtration allows Bakersfield homeowners to build a comprehensive treatment solution around a reliable softening foundation. This isn't about luxury — it's about protecting the thousands of dollars invested in your home's plumbing infrastructure, appliances, and fixtures.

Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for Bakersfield households. The 48,000-grain model suits most 3-4 person families, while larger households should consider the 64,000-grain option. Factor in professional installation costs, required permits, and initial salt supplies when budgeting your investment.

Like the oil derricks that once dotted the landscape around Bakersfield, your home's water treatment system represents essential infrastructure that either protects your investment or allows it to deteriorate from preventable mineral damage.