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

Bakersfield homeowners are unknowingly shortening their appliances' lives by up to 50% every single day. The culprit isn't age, brand quality, or bad luck — it's the city's water supply delivering a punishing 12.3 grains per gallon (GPG) of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals directly into every pipe, faucet, and appliance in your home.

To understand what 12.3 GPG means for your household, imagine your plumbing system as a high-performance engine. Every gallon of Bakersfield water carries the equivalent of nearly two tablespoons of dissolved rock minerals. These minerals don't simply pass through — they crystallize, accumulate, and form concrete-hard scale deposits on every surface they touch when heated or when water evaporates.

Bakersfield's municipal water originates primarily from the Kern River and groundwater wells throughout the San Joaquin Valley, both of which flow through calcium-rich geological formations for decades before reaching treatment plants. At 12.3 GPG, Bakersfield's water is classified as "extremely hard" — a designation that puts it in the top 15% of hardest municipal water supplies in California. This isn't a minor inconvenience; it's a continuous chemical assault on your home's infrastructure.

For Bakersfield residents, this translates into measurable financial consequences. A typical household at 12.3 GPG loses approximately $1,200–$1,800 annually to premature appliance replacement, excessive soap and detergent consumption, and energy waste from scale-clogged water heaters. Your home's value is literally dissolving in mineral deposits, one gallon at a time.

2. What 12.3 GPG Does to Your Home

At 12.3 GPG, calcium carbonate forms visible scale rings inside your water heater within 90 days of installation. Each grain per gallon represents 17.1 parts per million of dissolved minerals, meaning every gallon of Bakersfield water carries 210 ppm of calcium and magnesium. When heated, these minerals precipitate out of solution and coat heating elements like concrete.

Bakersfield homeowners can expect their water heaters to lose 35–40% efficiency within 18–24 months without a softener. The scale acts as insulation, forcing heating elements to work harder and longer to achieve the same temperature. A 40-gallon electric water heater that should cost $400 annually to operate will cost $560–$640 when fighting through 12.3 GPG mineral buildup.

Inside your home's plumbing, the calcite crystallization process accelerates dramatically above 10 GPG. Calcium and magnesium ions bond to pipe walls when water temperature rises or when evaporation concentrates the mineral content. In Bakersfield's older neighborhoods with galvanized steel pipes installed before 1970, homeowners report measurable flow reduction within 7–10 years. The minerals form concentric rings that gradually narrow pipe diameter — imagine trying to drink through a straw that's being filled with cement.

Appliance manufacturers are brutally honest about hard water damage at 12.3 GPG levels. Dishwashers typically last 6–8 years in soft water areas but only 4–5 years in Bakersfield. Washing machines experience bearing failure and pump damage 40% sooner. Coffee makers and ice makers clog and fail within 2–3 years instead of the expected 5–7 years. Most critically, tankless water heater manufacturers void warranties entirely if a water softener isn't installed in areas above 7 GPG.

Soap and detergent consumption doubles or triples at 12.3 GPG because calcium and magnesium chemically react with soap to form insoluble scum instead of cleaning lather. A Bakersfield household uses approximately 2.5 times more laundry detergent and 3 times more dish soap compared to homes with soft water. This translates to an extra $180–$240 annually just in cleaning products — money that produces zero additional cleanliness.

Personal care becomes a daily struggle with extremely hard water. Calcium ions strip natural oils from skin and coat hair shafts with mineral residue, leaving skin feeling tight and itchy. Eczema and sensitive skin conditions worsen measurably above 7 GPG. Hair becomes dull, brittle, and difficult to style because mineral deposits prevent conditioners from penetrating the hair shaft.

Laundry emerges from Bakersfield washers gray, stiff, and scratchy as mineral deposits embed in fabric fibers. White clothing develops a permanent dingy appearance within months, and colored fabrics fade faster due to mineral abrasion during wash cycles. Towels lose absorbency as calcium buildup creates a waxy coating that repels water.

The annual "hard water tax" for a typical Bakersfield household reaches $1,400–$1,800 when combining energy waste, soap consumption, appliance depreciation, and premature replacement costs. This figure excludes the hidden costs of reduced home resale value due to scale-damaged fixtures and the time lost dealing with constant maintenance issues.

3. Bakersfield's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the crushing 12.3 GPG hardness baseline, Bakersfield residents are also contending with arsenic, nitrates, and iron — each of which interacts with water hardness in its own problematic way. Understanding these interactions is crucial for selecting the right treatment approach for your home.

Arsenic in Bakersfield's Water Supply

Arsenic enters Bakersfield's water naturally from geological formations in the San Joaquin Valley, where groundwater dissolves trace amounts from sedimentary rock layers. At 12.3 GPG hardness levels, arsenic becomes more difficult to remove because calcium and magnesium compete for treatment media binding sites in most filtration systems.

Bakersfield residents typically won't notice arsenic through taste, odor, or visible signs — it's completely undetectable without laboratory testing. The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic is 10 parts per billion, and Bakersfield's levels typically range from 2–6 ppb — well below the federal limit but still present enough to warrant attention. Long-term exposure to elevated arsenic levels is associated with increased cancer risk and cardiovascular effects.

Critical accuracy point: The SoftPro Elite HE water softener does NOT remove arsenic. Softeners use ion exchange to replace hardness minerals with sodium, but arsenic requires specialized media like activated alumina or reverse osmosis treatment. Bakersfield homeowners concerned about arsenic should install a certified reverse osmosis system at their drinking water tap in addition to the whole-house SoftPro softener.

Nitrates from Agricultural Sources

Nitrates in Bakersfield's water originate from agricultural runoff throughout Kern County, one of California's most intensive farming regions. Fertilizers and organic matter decomposition contribute to groundwater nitrate levels that fluctuate seasonally, typically peaking during spring irrigation and fall harvest periods.

At 12.3 GPG hardness, nitrates don't directly interact with calcium and magnesium, but the combination creates water chemistry challenges for treatment systems. Bakersfield residents may notice slightly metallic or salty taste when nitrate levels are elevated, particularly in summer months when groundwater sources are stressed.

The EPA maximum contaminant level for nitrates is 10 mg/L, with Bakersfield's levels typically measuring 3–7 mg/L — below the federal limit but high enough to be detectable. Nitrates pose particular risks to infants under 6 months and pregnant women, potentially interfering with oxygen transport in blood.

Another critical accuracy point: Water softeners do NOT remove nitrates from drinking water. The ion exchange process that removes calcium and magnesium has no effect on nitrate compounds. Bakersfield families with infants or pregnancy concerns should install a certified reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking water alongside their whole-house SoftPro softener.

Iron Complications in Hard Water

Iron in Bakersfield's water appears primarily as dissolved ferrous iron — invisible and tasteless until it contacts air and oxidizes into visible ferric iron particles. The iron originates from both natural geological sources and corrosion within the municipal distribution system, particularly older cast iron mains in established neighborhoods.

At 12.3 GPG hardness, iron creates compounded staining problems because iron particles bond with calcium deposits, creating orange-red scale buildup that's nearly impossible to remove from fixtures and appliances. Bakersfield residents notice this as persistent orange staining in toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines that gets worse over time.

Iron levels in Bakersfield typically measure 0.1–0.4 mg/L, with the EPA secondary standard set at 0.3 mg/L for aesthetic concerns. While not a health hazard at these levels, iron above 0.3 mg/L will foul the SoftPro Elite HE's resin over time, reducing its efficiency and requiring more frequent cleaning cycles.

For Bakersfield homes with both 12.3 GPG hardness and detectable iron, we recommend installing an iron removal pre-filter upstream of the SoftPro Elite HE. A properly sized sediment and iron filter protects the softener resin and prevents the orange staining that's characteristic of iron-contaminated hard water.

4. Why Most Bakersfield Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Walking into a big box store and buying the cheapest softener is like bringing a garden hose to fight a house fire — you're not equipped for Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG reality. After reviewing hundreds of failed installations across Kern County, four critical mistakes repeatedly destroy homeowners' confidence in water treatment.

Mistake 1: Buying on Price Alone

A $400 "water softener" from a discount retailer cannot handle continuous 12.3 GPG demand, period. These undersized units are designed for moderately hard water in the 3–6 GPG range. When forced to process extremely hard Bakersfield water, the resin exhausts in 24–48 hours instead of the expected 5–7 days. Homeowners end up with hard water breakthrough, excessive salt consumption, and a system that regenerates every other day.

The math is unforgiving: a 24,000-grain softener that works perfectly in a soft-water city will fail catastrophically for a Bakersfield household. At 12.3 GPG, that same family needs 48,000–64,000 grains minimum to maintain consistent soft water delivery.

Mistake 2: Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium only — they do NOT reliably remove arsenic, nitrates, or iron. Many Bakersfield residents assume one system handles all water quality issues, leading to disappointment when their new softener doesn't address metallic taste, orange staining, or health concerns about contaminants.

Bakersfield's complex water profile requires a strategic approach: the SoftPro Elite HE handles hardness minerals, while arsenic and nitrates need separate reverse osmosis treatment at drinking water taps, and iron requires upstream filtration to protect the softener resin.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

Here's the formula every Bakersfield homeowner needs:

[Number of People] × 75 gallons/day × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand

For a 4-person household: 4 × 75 × 12.3 = 3,690 grains per day

Weekly demand: 3,690 × 7 = 25,830 grains

Add 20% buffer: 25,830 × 1.2 = 31,000 grains minimum capacity

This family needs at least a 48,000-grain system to regenerate every 5–7 days, which is optimal for efficiency and resin longevity. Installing anything smaller guarantees constant problems.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 12.3 GPG, a water softener regenerates 2–3 times more often than systems in soft-water areas. An inefficient softener uses 15–20 pounds of salt per regeneration, while a high-efficiency model like the SoftPro Elite HE uses only 6–8 pounds for the same grain capacity. Over 10 years in Bakersfield, this difference compounds to 3,000–4,000 pounds of extra salt — costing $600–$800 more in ongoing expenses.

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

After evaluating Bakersfield's water hardness of 12.3 GPG and the presence of arsenic, nitrates, and iron 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 the previous sections.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange for 12.3 GPG Performance

Salt-free "water conditioners" do not actually remove hardness minerals — they only attempt to change crystal structure, which fails completely at 12.3 GPG levels. Laboratory testing shows salt-free systems have zero effectiveness above 10 GPG. They cannot prevent scale formation, appliance damage, or soap waste at Bakersfield's mineral concentration.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses true cation exchange resin to physically replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This is the only proven method that delivers genuinely soft water (under 1 GPG) when starting with extremely hard 12.3 GPG input. The chemistry is simple and reliable: hard minerals go in, soft water comes out.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration for Efficiency

At 12.3 GPG, resin exhaustion happens faster than in soft-water cities — making regeneration timing critical for consistent performance. Traditional timer-based systems regenerate on a schedule regardless of actual water usage, leading to either hard water breakthrough (under-regeneration) or salt and water waste (over-regeneration).

The SoftPro's demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) monitors actual resin capacity and regenerates only when depletion occurs. For Bakersfield households dealing with heavy daily grain consumption, DIR is operationally essential, not just convenient. It prevents the hard water breakthrough that destroys confidence in water treatment systems.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Components

NSF certification verifies that the resin, control valve, and brine tank meet strict performance and materials safety standards. For Bakersfield residents already managing arsenic, nitrates, and iron in their water supply, knowing the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contaminants or leach materials is critical for family safety.

The certification also validates the system's ability to consistently produce water under 1 GPG when processing extremely hard input water — performance that non-certified systems often cannot maintain.

Grain Capacity Options Sized for Bakersfield

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000-grain capacity options — allowing precise sizing for Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG demand. Based on our earlier calculation, most Bakersfield households need:

• 2 people: 32,000-grain minimum
• 3-4 people: 48,000-grain recommended
• 5-6 people: 64,000-grain optimal
• 7+ people: 80,000-grain required

Proper sizing ensures regeneration every 5–7 days, maximizing salt efficiency while preventing resin exhaustion. Undersizing by even one capacity tier results in daily regeneration cycles and massive salt waste in Bakersfield's high-demand environment.

10-Year Warranty Protection

At 12.3 GPG, softener components experience heavy daily stress — making warranty coverage essential protection during the years of highest mineral exposure. The SoftPro's 10-year warranty covers control valve, resin tank, and brine tank against defects and premature failure.

This warranty period is particularly valuable for Bakersfield homeowners because extremely hard water can reveal manufacturing defects or material weaknesses faster than normal operating conditions. The coverage provides financial protection during the critical first decade when 12.3 GPG mineral stress is highest.

Iron Pre-Filtration Compatibility

The SoftPro Elite HE is engineered to work downstream of iron and sediment filtration systems — preventing resin fouling that would otherwise shorten service life in Bakersfield's iron-contaminated water. The system's inlet design accommodates pre-treatment without voiding warranty coverage.

For Bakersfield homes with detectable iron levels above 0.2 mg/L, installing an upstream iron filter protects the SoftPro's resin investment while eliminating the orange staining that characterizes iron-contaminated hard water. This compatibility allows homeowners to address both hardness and iron systematically rather than choosing between treatments.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Bakersfield

Proper sizing for Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG water isn't guesswork — it's a mathematical formula that determines whether your investment succeeds or fails. Follow these steps exactly to avoid the undersizing problems that plague most installations.

Step 1: Count household members (include anyone living in the home 4+ days per week)

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (this accounts for showers, laundry, dishes, cooking, and drinking)

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 12.3 GPG = daily grain demand

Step 4: Multiply daily grains × 7 = weekly grain demand

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days (guests, extra laundry, lawn watering)

Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE capacity tier

Here's the complete calculation for a 4-person Bakersfield household:

• People: 4
• Daily water: 4 × 75 = 300 gallons
• Daily grains: 300 × 12.3 = 3,690 grains
• Weekly grains: 3,690 × 7 = 25,830 grains
• With buffer: 25,830 × 1.2 = 31,000 grains
• Recommendation: 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE

This sizing delivers regeneration every 5–6 days, which maximizes salt efficiency while ensuring consistent soft water delivery. Regenerating every 3–4 days wastes salt and water. Regenerating every 8+ days risks resin exhaustion and hard water breakthrough — both problems that destroy homeowner confidence in water treatment.

Bakersfield homeowners should never size below the calculated minimum. The 20% buffer accounts for real-world usage spikes that occur in every household. At 12.3 GPG, undersizing by even 10,000 grains can result in system failure during high-demand periods.

7. Installation in Bakersfield: What to Know

Bakersfield does not require a licensed plumber for water softener installation, but the city does require compliance with California Plumbing Code for backflow prevention. Most homeowners can legally install the SoftPro Elite HE themselves, though professional installation ensures proper setup and preserves warranty coverage.

The system installs after your main water shutoff valve but before your water heater — this treats all water entering your home while protecting the water heater from scale damage. The SoftPro requires a nearby electrical outlet (standard 110V) and a drain connection within 20 feet for regeneration discharge. Most Bakersfield installations use the laundry sink, utility sink, or floor drain in the garage.

Bakersfield's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 50–70 PSI, which suits the SoftPro Elite HE perfectly. The system operates effectively between 20–80 PSI, so pressure boosting or reduction is rarely necessary. However, homes in the Seven Oaks or Stockdale areas with private wells should verify pressure before installation.

Salt type selection matters significantly at 12.3 GPG consumption rates. For extremely hard water like Bakersfield's, use only evaporated salt pellets — never rock salt or solar crystals. Evaporated pellets have the highest purity (99.8% sodium chloride) and create minimal brine tank residue even with frequent regeneration cycles. Lower-purity salts leave accumulated debris that fouls the brine system over time.

Check salt levels every 3 weeks during your first three months of operation to establish consumption patterns. At 12.3 GPG with proper sizing, most Bakersfield households use 80–120 pounds of salt monthly. The brine tank should maintain salt levels 3–4 inches above the water line for optimal regeneration performance.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Bakersfield Homeowners

Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG water demands more frequent maintenance than soft-water areas — but the schedule is predictable and straightforward. Following this timeline prevents 90% of service calls and ensures optimal performance throughout the system's 15–20 year lifespan.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Check salt level every month — consumption is high at 12.3 GPG, averaging 25–30 pounds per regeneration cycle. Salt should remain 3–4 inches above the water line in the brine tank. If salt drops below the water level, the system cannot create proper brine concentration for effective regeneration.

Inspect for salt bridges — a hardened crust that forms above the water line and prevents salt from dissolving. Salt bridges are more common in extremely hard water areas due to frequent regeneration cycles. Break bridges carefully with a broom handle, avoiding damage to the brine tank walls.

Confirm the bypass valve remains in the "service" position. Accidentally switching to bypass means untreated 12.3 GPG water flows directly to your appliances and fixtures, causing immediate scale formation.

Quarterly Maintenance Tasks

Clean the brine tank every 3 months to remove accumulated sediment and salt residue. At Bakersfield's consumption rate, even high-purity evaporated salt leaves trace minerals that build up over time. Empty the tank, scrub with warm water, and refill with fresh salt.

Test post-softener water hardness with a test strip — results should show under 1 GPG consistently. If hardness creeps above 1 GPG, the resin may need cleaning or the regeneration cycle requires adjustment. This early warning prevents appliance damage and soap waste.

Inspect and clean the sediment pre-filter if your home has detectable iron levels. Iron particles accelerate filter clogging in high-hardness water, requiring more frequent replacement than manufacturer recommendations.

Annual Maintenance Tasks

Perform complete brine tank cleaning and sanitization annually. Remove all salt, scrub interior surfaces with diluted bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, and refill. This prevents bacteria growth and maintains proper brine chemistry for effective regeneration.

Evaluate resin bed performance through professional water testing. At 12.3 GPG, resin degrades faster than in soft-water cities — typically requiring replacement every 8–12 years instead of the standard 15–20 years. Early detection saves money and prevents system failure.

Audit regeneration cycle timing and salt dosage to ensure optimal efficiency. Bakersfield homeowners should reconfirm their grain capacity calculations annually, especially if household size changes or water usage patterns shift.

5-Year Maintenance Milestone

Consider resin replacement evaluation at the 5-year mark for Bakersfield installations. Extremely hard water stress-tests resin more aggressively than normal conditions. If post-treatment hardness becomes inconsistent or salt consumption increases without usage changes, resin replacement may be cost-effective compared to complete system replacement.

9. Frequently Asked Questions for Bakersfield Residents

9. Is Bakersfield's water at 12.3 GPG dangerous to drink?

Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG hardness is not dangerous to drink — calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that many people supplement intentionally. The health risks come from the infrastructure damage and associated problems: bacteria growth in scale-coated pipes, lead leaching from corroded plumbing, and skin irritation from excessive mineral contact. The EPA sets no health-based limits on water hardness because the minerals themselves aren't toxic.

10. Will a water softener remove arsenic from Bakersfield's water?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE water softener does NOT remove arsenic from Bakersfield's water supply. Softeners use ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium with sodium, but arsenic requires specialized treatment like activated alumina or reverse osmosis. Bakersfield families concerned about arsenic should install a certified RO system at their kitchen tap in addition to the whole-house softener for hardness control.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Bakersfield at 12.3 GPG?

A properly sized SoftPro Elite HE uses approximately 80–120 pounds of salt monthly for a typical Bakersfield household at 12.3 GPG. This equals 6–8 pounds per regeneration cycle with regeneration occurring every 5–7 days. Annual salt costs range from $180–$240 using high-quality evaporated pellets. Undersized systems use significantly more salt due to frequent regeneration cycles.

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

Bakersfield does not require a specific permit for water softener installation, but the work must comply with California Plumbing Code requirements for backflow prevention. Most residential installations qualify as minor plumbing work that homeowners can perform legally. However, if you're adding new electrical circuits or modifying main water lines, those changes may require separate permits through Kern County Building Services.

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

Soft water feels slippery because you're experiencing clean skin for the first time in years. At 12.3 GPG, Bakersfield's hard water leaves calcium residue on your skin that creates artificial "grip" and blocks natural oil production. Soft water allows soap to rinse completely and lets your skin's natural oils function properly. The slippery sensation diminishes after 2–3 weeks as your skin adjusts to proper hydration.

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

Bakersfield homeowners notice immediate changes in soap lathering and water "feel" within 24 hours of SoftPro installation. Existing scale deposits take 30–90 days to gradually dissolve from fixtures and appliances. Laundry softness improves after 3–4 wash cycles. Skin and hair improvements develop over 2–4 weeks as natural oils recover from 12.3 GPG mineral damage. Water heater efficiency gains appear on your next utility bill.

15. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Bakersfield's water without a separate filter?

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively handles Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG hardness without additional filtration. However, for optimal performance and resin protection, homes with detectable iron should add an upstream iron filter. Arsenic and nitrate removal require separate reverse osmosis treatment at drinking water taps. The softener addresses mineral hardness completely but cannot remove every contaminant in Bakersfield's complex water profile.

16. What to Do Next: 30-Day Action Plan for Bakersfield Homeowners

Week 1: Test your current water hardness with a home test kit to confirm 12.3 GPG levels and document baseline conditions. Take photos of existing scale buildup on fixtures and appliances for comparison after treatment.

Week 2: Calculate your household's grain capacity needs using the formula in Section 6. Measure the installation space near your main water line and identify the nearest drain connection for regeneration discharge.

Week 3: Research current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for your calculated requirements. Contact local dealers for installation quotes if you prefer professional setup.

Week 4: If iron staining is present, arrange for water testing to determine iron levels and iron filter requirements. Order your system and schedule installation to begin solving Bakersfield's 12.3 GPG challenge permanently.

17. Final Verdict for Bakersfield

Bakersfield's punishing 12.3 GPG water hardness demands commercial-grade treatment, not consumer-level solutions. The combination of extremely hard water with arsenic, nitrates, and iron creates a complex challenge that requires systematic, scientifically-based treatment rather than wishful thinking or discount equipment.

The presence of arsenic and nitrates compounds the hardness problem in specific ways: arsenic becomes harder to remove at high mineral concentrations, while nitrates require separate reverse osmosis treatment that most homeowners overlook. Iron creates the visible orange staining that makes Bakersfield's water quality problems impossible to ignore.

The SoftPro Elite HE rises above other options because its demand-initiated regeneration prevents the hard water breakthrough that destroys confidence in water treatment, its certified resin handles 12.3 GPG mineral stress reliably, and its efficiency minimizes the salt consumption that becomes expensive with frequent regeneration cycles. This isn't marketing preference — it's engineering reality for extreme hardness conditions.

For Bakersfield homeowners ready to protect their investment and restore their quality of life, the path forward is clear: check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for your household size. Calculate your requirements using Section 6's formula, size appropriately for 12.3 GPG demand, and install the system that can actually handle what flows through Bakersfield's pipes.

Whether you're dealing with scale buildup in your Spanish-style home near the Kern River or fighting orange stains in your newer construction out in the Rosedale area, the solution remains the same: stop letting Bakersfield's extremely hard water damage your home one gallon at a time.