Best Water Softener for Billings, Montana — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Billings, Montana

Walk into any Billings appliance repair shop, and you'll hear the same story repeated dozens of times each week: another water heater killed by scale, another dishwasher interior etched white, another homeowner shocked by a $3,000 replacement bill that could have been prevented. Billings sits on some of the hardest water in the continental United States at 18.2 grains per gallon (GPG) — a mineral concentration so extreme it falls into the "extremely hard" category.

To understand what 18.2 GPG means for your home, imagine your water pipes as arteries in the human body. Every gallon of Billings water carries 18.2 grains of dissolved calcium and magnesium — minerals that act like cholesterol, gradually coating and narrowing every water line, fixture, and appliance in your home. One grain per gallon equals 17.1 parts per million of dissolved minerals, which means Billings residents are pushing over 311 parts per million of hardness minerals through their plumbing systems every single day.

The water supplying Billings comes primarily from the Yellowstone River and local groundwater wells drilled into limestone and sandstone formations. As water percolates through these calcium-rich geological layers over decades, it dissolves massive quantities of minerals before reaching the city's treatment plant. The treatment process removes bacteria and adjusts pH, but it doesn't — and isn't designed to — remove the hardness minerals that make Billings water so challenging for residential use.

At 18.2 GPG, Billings homeowners are dealing with water hardness that exceeds the "very hard" threshold by nearly 30%. This isn't just an inconvenience — it's a direct threat to your home's value, your family's monthly expenses, and the lifespan of every water-using appliance you own. The annual "hard water tax" for a typical Billings household runs between $1,800 and $2,400 when you account for excess energy costs, soap waste, appliance replacement, and plumbing repairs.

2. What 18.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At 18.2 GPG, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your water heater's heating elements — it forms thick, insulating shells that can reduce efficiency by 35-45% within the first 18 months of operation. The mineral concentration in Billings water is so high that scale formation happens rapidly and aggressively. A 40-gallon electric water heater operating on untreated Billings water typically loses 8-12% efficiency each year as calcium deposits build concentric rings around heating elements.

The scale formation process accelerates dramatically when water temperature exceeds 140°F. Inside your water heater tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium ions precipitate out of solution, forming crystalline deposits that act like ceramic insulation. These deposits force your heating elements to work exponentially harder to transfer heat through the mineral barrier. In Billings, where winter heating demands are substantial, homeowners often see their electric bills climb by $30-50 per month as their water heater struggles against 18.2 GPG of mineral buildup.

Billings homes built before 1990 with galvanized steel pipes face the most severe pipe damage from 18.2 GPG water. The mineral-rich water creates electrochemical reactions that accelerate corrosion while simultaneously depositing scale layers inside pipe walls. Within 5-7 years, measurable flow restriction occurs as the effective pipe diameter shrinks. Copper pipes handle the hardness better but still develop significant scale buildup, particularly in hot water lines where mineral precipitation happens fastest.

The appliance damage timeline at 18.2 GPG is ruthlessly predictable. Tankless water heaters typically require descaling every 6-8 months instead of annually, and many manufacturers void warranties without proof of water softening in areas exceeding 12 GPG. Dishwashers develop irreversible etching on interior glass surfaces within 2-3 years. Washing machines experience accelerated wear on pumps and valves as mineral deposits create friction and blockages throughout the water circulation system.

Soap and detergent consumption in Billings homes typically runs 3-4 times higher than the national average due to the 18.2 GPG mineral interference. When soap molecules encounter dissolved calcium and magnesium ions, they form insoluble precipitates — the grey scum that clings to bathtubs, shower doors, and skin. Instead of creating cleansing lather, your soap is literally being converted into mineral deposits. A typical Billings household spends an extra $180-240 annually on soap, shampoo, and detergent to compensate for this chemical interference.

The skin and hair effects of 18.2 GPG water are immediately noticeable to anyone moving to Billings from a soft-water region. Calcium ions stripped from your water bind to skin proteins, creating a tight, dry sensation that no amount of moisturizer can fully overcome. Hair becomes dull and brittle as mineral deposits coat individual hair shafts, preventing natural oils from distributing properly. Residents with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin conditions often see significant worsening within weeks of exposure to Billings water.

Laundry emerges from Billings washing machines progressively greyer and stiffer with each wash cycle. The 18.2 GPG mineral content prevents proper soil suspension, while calcium deposits embed permanently into fabric fibers. White clothing takes on a dingy appearance that bleach cannot correct because the discoloration comes from mineral saturation, not staining. Towels and sheets lose their softness and absorbency as scale buildup creates a sandpaper-like texture.

The total annual hard water cost for a four-person Billings household at 18.2 GPG ranges from $1,800 to $2,400 when all factors are calculated. This includes approximately $600 in excess energy costs, $240 in additional soap and detergent, $400-600 in accelerated appliance depreciation, and $300-500 in plumbing maintenance and repairs. Over a 10-year period, untreated 18.2 GPG water costs the average Billings homeowner between $18,000 and $24,000 in preventable expenses.

3. Billings' Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the extreme 18.2 GPG hardness baseline, Billings residents are also contending with iron, chlorine, and sediment — each of which interacts with water hardness in ways that compound the overall water quality challenge. Understanding how these contaminants behave in extremely hard water is essential for choosing the right treatment approach for your home.

Iron in Billings Water

Iron enters Billings water through two primary pathways: natural dissolution from iron-rich geological formations along the Yellowstone River watershed, and corrosion from aging cast iron and steel water mains throughout the city's distribution system. The iron present in Billings water exists primarily as ferrous iron — dissolved, invisible, and tasteless until it contacts oxygen and oxidizes into the red, particulate ferric iron that stains fixtures and laundry.

At 18.2 GPG hardness, iron contamination becomes exponentially more problematic than in soft-water regions. The dissolved calcium and magnesium ions act as nucleation sites for iron precipitation, accelerating the oxidation process and creating complex mineral deposits that bond iron particles to calcium carbonate scale. This creates the reddish-brown, concrete-like buildup that Billings homeowners recognize on shower heads, faucet aerators, and toilet bowls.

Billings residents notice iron contamination most clearly through rust-colored staining that appears after water sits in fixtures overnight, and through the metallic taste that develops when iron levels exceed 0.3 mg/L — the EPA's secondary maximum contaminant level. The EPA threshold of 0.3 mg/L is based on aesthetic concerns rather than health risks, but Billings water occasionally approaches this level during high-demand periods when distribution system corrosion accelerates.

Critical consideration for Billings homeowners: iron above 0.2 mg/L will progressively foul softener resin, reducing the system's ability to remove hardness minerals. This means the SoftPro Elite HE softener alone cannot address iron contamination — an upstream iron pre-filter using greensand or birm media is recommended when iron testing reveals levels above 0.2 mg/L.

Chlorine in Billings Water

Chlorine is intentionally added to Billings water as a disinfectant at the treatment plant, typically maintaining residual levels between 1.0-2.0 mg/L throughout the distribution system to prevent bacterial growth. While chlorine serves an essential public health function, its interaction with 18.2 GPG hardness creates additional challenges for homeowners.

In extremely hard water, chlorine accelerates the corrosion of rubber gaskets, seals, and O-rings throughout your plumbing system. The combination of aggressive minerals and chlorine creates an oxidizing environment that degrades elastomeric components faster than either factor alone would cause. Billings homeowners often notice increased faucet dripping, toilet flapper failure, and washing machine hose deterioration as a result of this chemical synergy.

Billings residents typically notice chlorine through a swimming pool-like odor and taste that intensifies during summer months when treatment plant chlorination increases to combat higher bacterial activity. The chlorine odor is strongest in hot water because heat drives chlorine gas out of solution — which is why Billings showers often smell strongly of disinfectant.

Chlorine also reacts with organic matter in the distribution system to form disinfection byproducts including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). While Billings water typically maintains THM and HAA levels well below EPA maximum contaminant levels of 80 ppb and 60 ppb respectively, residents concerned about these byproducts should consider an activated carbon whole-house filter installed downstream of the SoftPro Elite HE softener.

Sediment in Billings Water

Sediment contamination in Billings water originates from two primary sources: suspended particles from the Yellowstone River during high-flow periods, and corrosion debris from aging cast iron water mains throughout the city's distribution infrastructure. The sediment appears as brown or rust-colored particles that settle in toilet tanks, clog faucet aerators, and create gritty textures in drinking water.

At 18.2 GPG hardness, sediment particles act as nucleation sites for accelerated mineral precipitation. Each suspended particle becomes a seed crystal around which calcium and magnesium ions crystallize, creating larger, harder-to-remove deposits throughout your plumbing system. This process explains why Billings homes experience particularly stubborn buildup that requires aggressive cleaning methods to remove.

Billings residents most commonly notice sediment contamination through discolored water after periods of low usage (vacations, overnight), and through progressive clogging of faucet aerators and shower heads that requires monthly cleaning rather than annual maintenance. The EPA regulates turbidity (cloudiness from suspended particles) rather than specific sediment levels, maintaining standards that ensure filtration effectiveness at treatment plants.

Sediment contamination poses a direct threat to softener performance by clogging resin beds and reducing ion exchange efficiency. The SoftPro Elite HE addresses this challenge with an integrated sediment pre-filter that captures particles before they reach the resin tank — a critical feature for Billings installations where both sediment and extreme hardness are present simultaneously.

4. Why Most Billings Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Walk through any Billings home improvement store, and you'll find homeowners gravitating toward the cheapest water softener on the shelf — a decision that seems logical until you understand that an undersized system cannot handle the continuous demand created by 18.2 GPG water. Price-focused purchasing is the single most expensive mistake Billings residents make when addressing their water hardness problem.

At 18.2 GPG, resin exhaustion happens dramatically faster than manufacturers' generic sizing charts account for. A 24,000-grain softener that adequately serves a four-person household in a moderate hardness city like Denver will fail a Billings family within 3-4 days, requiring near-constant regeneration that wastes salt and water while delivering inconsistent results. The mathematical reality is harsh: 18.2 GPG water requires commercial-grade grain capacity in residential applications.

The second critical mistake involves confusing water softeners with water filters — a misunderstanding that leaves Billings homeowners frustrated when their new softener doesn't address iron staining, chlorine taste, or sediment particles. Softeners use ion exchange resin to physically replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This process removes hardness minerals exclusively — it does not reliably remove iron, chlorine, or sediment through the ion exchange mechanism.

Billings residents dealing with the city's combination of 18.2 GPG hardness plus iron, chlorine, and sediment need to understand that comprehensive water treatment requires a systematic approach. Iron above 0.2 mg/L requires upstream filtration to prevent resin fouling, chlorine requires activated carbon filtration for taste and odor removal, and sediment requires mechanical filtration to protect downstream equipment. A softener alone, regardless of quality, cannot address this multi-contaminant profile.

The third mistake involves ignoring grain capacity mathematics entirely and relying instead on vague manufacturer claims about "family size" suitability. Here's the sizing formula that Billings homeowners must understand: [Number of People] × 75 gallons per person per day × 18.2 GPG = daily grain demand. For a four-person household, this equals: 4 × 75 × 18.2 = 5,460 grains per day. Multiply by seven days to get 38,220 grains weekly — meaning a 32,000-grain system would require regeneration every 4-5 days just to keep pace with Billings water consumption.

The fourth mistake is overlooking salt efficiency in favor of upfront cost savings — a decision that becomes painfully expensive over the 10-15 year lifespan of a water softener. At 18.2 GPG, regeneration frequency is 2-3 times higher than national averages. An inefficient softener might use 12-15 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle, while a high-efficiency unit like the SoftPro Elite HE uses 6-8 pounds for equivalent performance. Over a decade, this difference compounds into 3,000-4,000 pounds of additional salt consumption — representing $600-900 in unnecessary expense for Billings homeowners.

5. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Billings' Water

After evaluating Billings' water hardness of 18.2 GPG and the presence of iron, chlorine, and sediment in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Billings homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This recommendation isn't based on marketing claims or manufacturer relationships — it's the logical engineering solution to the specific water chemistry challenges that Billings residents face daily.

The foundation of the SoftPro Elite HE's effectiveness lies in its salt-based ion exchange process, which physically removes hardness minerals rather than attempting to modify their behavior. Salt-free systems — popular in moderate hardness regions — attempt to change the crystal structure of calcium and magnesium through template-assisted crystallization or electromagnetic fields. At 18.2 GPG, these alternative approaches simply cannot process the mineral load fast enough or completely enough to prevent scale formation. The SoftPro uses high-capacity cation exchange resin to swap every calcium and magnesium ion for sodium ions — the only proven method that delivers genuinely soft water at Billings' extreme hardness levels.

Demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) represents a critical feature for Billings installations where resin beds exhaust faster than anywhere else in Montana. Traditional timer-based systems regenerate on a fixed schedule regardless of actual water usage or resin condition. At 18.2 GPG, this approach either under-regenerates (allowing hard water breakthrough during high-demand periods) or over-regenerates (wasting salt and water through unnecessary cycles). The SoftPro's DIR system monitors actual resin capacity and initiates regeneration only when depletion occurs — ensuring consistent soft water delivery while minimizing operating costs.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification provides Billings homeowners with third-party verification that the resin meets stringent performance and materials safety standards. This certification process involves rigorous testing of ion exchange capacity, regeneration efficiency, and structural integrity under accelerated aging conditions. For Billings residents already managing iron, chlorine, and sediment in their water supply, knowing that the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contaminants through resin degradation or leaching is operationally essential.

The SoftPro Elite HE's grain capacity options — 32K, 48K, 64K, and 80K — allow precise sizing for Billings households at 18.2 GPG demand levels. Using the formula established earlier, a four-person Billings household requires approximately 38,220 grains of weekly capacity. Adding a 20% buffer for high-usage days brings the requirement to 45,864 grains, making the 48K model the minimum recommended size and the 64K model the optimal choice for consistent 5-7 day regeneration intervals.

The 10-year warranty coverage reflects the manufacturer's confidence in resin and valve durability under high-mineral conditions like those found in Billings. At 18.2 GPG, softener resin experiences heavy daily ion exchange cycling that gradually reduces capacity over time. A comprehensive warranty provides Billings homeowners with protection during the years of highest hardness stress, when component failure would be most costly and disruptive.

The SoftPro Elite HE's compatibility with upstream iron and manganese pre-filtration addresses a critical need for Billings installations where iron contamination threatens resin performance. The system is specifically designed to operate downstream of greensand, birm, or air injection iron filters without voiding warranty coverage. This engineered compatibility prevents the iron-induced resin fouling that shortens softener service life in iron-bearing water supplies like Billings'.

The integrated self-cleaning sediment pre-filter captures particulate matter before it reaches the resin tank, protecting the ion exchange media from physical fouling and extending service life. In Billings, where both sediment contamination and 18.2 GPG hardness create compounding equipment stress, this pre-filtration stage prevents the gradual capacity loss that occurs when suspended particles accumulate within resin beds.

For Billings households dealing with 18.2 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of iron, chlorine, and sediment, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home. The system addresses the primary hardness challenge while providing compatibility with supplementary filtration for comprehensive water treatment.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Billings

Proper sizing for Billings' 18.2 GPG water requires precise calculations rather than relying on manufacturer generalizations about "family size" recommendations. The extreme hardness level means that undersizing will result in frequent regeneration, salt waste, and potential hard water breakthrough during peak demand periods.

Step 1: Count household members (example: 4 people)
Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (4 × 75 = 300 gallons daily)
Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 18.2 GPG (300 × 18.2 = 5,460 grains daily)
Step 4: Multiply by 7 days (5,460 × 7 = 38,220 grains weekly)
Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days (38,220 × 1.2 = 45,864 grains)
Step 6: Match to SoftPro Elite HE grain tier

For this four-person Billings household consuming 45,864 grains weekly, the 48K model provides adequate capacity while the 64K model offers optimal performance with 5-7 day regeneration intervals. The 32K model would require regeneration every 4-5 days, which increases salt consumption and reduces resin lifespan. The 80K model provides unnecessary overcapacity unless the household regularly exceeds four occupants or operates high-volume water applications.

Regenerating every 5-7 days optimizes both salt efficiency and resin longevity at Billings' 18.2 GPG hardness level. More frequent regeneration wastes salt and water while creating unnecessary wear on the control valve. Less frequent regeneration risks resin fouling and hard water breakthrough during the final days of each service cycle.

7. Installation in Billings: What to Know

Billings does not require licensed plumber installation for residential water softeners, but the city does require permits for new plumbing connections and backflow prevention device installation. Most homeowners choose professional installation to ensure proper placement, drainage, and electrical connections while avoiding potential permit complications.

The SoftPro Elite HE must be installed after the main water shutoff valve but before the water heater to treat both hot and cold water lines throughout the home. In Billings homes, this typically means locating the system in the basement, utility room, or heated garage where freeze protection is adequate for year-round operation. The installation location must provide access to a drain line for regeneration discharge and a 110-volt electrical outlet for the control head.

Billings municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-65 PSI throughout most residential areas — well within the SoftPro Elite HE's operating range of 25-80 PSI. Homes in elevated areas near the Rimrocks may experience lower pressure and should verify adequate flow rates before installation. The system requires minimum 15 PSI for proper regeneration function.

At 18.2 GPG consumption levels, evaporated salt pellets provide the highest purity and lowest brine tank residue formation. Evaporated pellets cost 15-20% more than solar crystals but contain 99.8% pure sodium chloride compared to 95-98% purity in lower-grade salts. The extra purity prevents brine tank sludge accumulation and reduces cleaning frequency — important considerations when regeneration happens 2-3 times weekly in Billings installations.

Salt level checks should occur monthly in Billings due to the high consumption rate created by 18.2 GPG regeneration frequency. The brine tank should maintain salt levels 6-8 inches above the water level visible at the bottom. Running low on salt allows hard water breakthrough and can damage the resin bed through incomplete regeneration cycles.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Billings Homeowners

Billings' 18.2 GPG water hardness requires more aggressive maintenance scheduling than manufacturers' generic recommendations account for. The extreme mineral load accelerates wear on all system components while increasing the frequency of required service tasks.

Monthly Tasks

Salt consumption in Billings averages 40-60 pounds monthly for a four-person household due to the high regeneration frequency required by 18.2 GPG water. Check salt levels monthly and maintain 6-8 inches of salt above the visible water line in the brine tank. Salt bridges — crusts that form above the water line and prevent proper salt dissolution — occur more frequently in high-usage installations and require monthly inspection.

Verify the bypass valve remains in the "service" position unless maintenance is being performed. Accidental bypass activation allows untreated 18.2 GPG water throughout the home and can cause immediate scale formation in water heaters and appliances.

Quarterly Tasks

Clean the brine tank every three months by removing undissolved salt, scrubbing interior surfaces, and refilling with fresh salt. The high regeneration frequency in Billings installations creates more rapid accumulation of impurities and sediment in the brine solution. Test post-softener water hardness using test strips — readings should remain under 1 GPG consistently.

If iron contamination is present, inspect the sediment pre-filter every three months for rust-colored buildup that indicates upstream iron filtration may be needed. Iron breakthrough into the resin bed causes progressive fouling that reduces softening capacity and requires expensive resin cleaning or replacement.

Annual Tasks

Perform complete brine tank disinfection annually by draining completely, scrubbing with unscented bleach solution, and rinsing thoroughly before refilling. This process prevents bacterial growth and eliminates accumulated sediment that can interfere with regeneration efficiency.

Conduct a comprehensive resin bed performance evaluation by testing hardness levels before and after the system during a complete regeneration cycle. If post-softener hardness exceeds 1 GPG consistently, the resin may require cleaning with iron removal solution or replacement due to fouling from Billings' mineral-rich water.

Audit regeneration timing and salt dosing to ensure optimal efficiency. At 18.2 GPG, even small improvements in regeneration efficiency can save 200-400 pounds of salt annually while maintaining consistent soft water delivery.

Five-Year Evaluation

Assess resin bed condition for replacement consideration — Billings' 18.2 GPG hardness degrades resin capacity faster than soft-water installations. Professional water testing can determine remaining ion exchange capacity and guide replacement timing decisions.

Billings residents should establish baseline hardness readings before installation and retest 30 days after startup to confirm the system meets performance expectations in the local water conditions.

9. Is Billings' water at 18.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

Billings water at 18.2 GPG hardness is not dangerous to drink from a health perspective — the EPA does not regulate water hardness as a health concern, and calcium and magnesium are essential dietary minerals. However, the extreme mineral concentration creates significant infrastructure and economic problems for homeowners that justify treatment on practical rather than health grounds.

10. Will a water softener remove iron from Billings water?

The SoftPro Elite HE can handle trace amounts of ferrous iron (under 0.2 mg/L) but cannot reliably remove the iron levels occasionally found in Billings water supply. Iron above 0.2 mg/L requires upstream treatment with a dedicated iron filter using greensand or birm media to prevent resin fouling and maintain softener performance.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Billings at 18.2 GPG?

A four-person Billings household typically consumes 40-60 pounds of salt monthly due to the frequent regeneration required by 18.2 GPG hardness. This computes to 480-720 pounds annually, compared to 200-300 pounds in moderate hardness areas. Using high-purity evaporated pellets costs approximately $15-20 monthly in salt expenses.

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

Billings does not require specific permits for water softener installation, but permits may be needed for new plumbing connections or backflow prevention devices depending on the installation configuration. Most homeowners choose licensed plumber installation to ensure code compliance and proper system commissioning.

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

Soft water feels slippery because calcium ions are no longer present to bind with soap and skin proteins — you're experiencing how soap and skin naturally interact without mineral interference. The sensation is particularly noticeable for Billings residents transitioning from 18.2 GPG water because the contrast is more dramatic than in moderate hardness areas.

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

Billings homeowners notice immediate improvements in soap lathering and reduced spotting on dishes within 24-48 hours of installation. Existing scale deposits take 2-4 weeks to gradually dissolve, with complete system benefits visible within 30-60 days as accumulated mineral buildup clears from fixtures and appliances.

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

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively addresses Billings' 18.2 GPG hardness and includes sediment pre-filtration, but iron above 0.2 mg/L and chlorine taste/odor require supplementary filtration for comprehensive treatment. The integrated sediment filter handles most particulate contamination, while the ion exchange resin manages the extreme hardness challenge.

16. What's the total cost of ownership for a softener in Billings?

Total 10-year ownership costs for the SoftPro Elite HE in Billings include approximately $3,200-3,800 for the system, $1,800-2,400 for salt, $300-500 for maintenance, and $600-800 for electricity — totaling $5,900-7,500. This investment prevents $18,000-24,000 in hard water damage over the same period, delivering a 3:1 return on investment.

17. Final Verdict for Billings

Billings' hardness of 18.2 GPG demands commercial-grade treatment in residential applications — this is not a comfort upgrade but essential infrastructure protection. The extreme mineral concentration exceeds the "very hard" threshold by 30% and creates appliance damage timelines measured in months rather than years for untreated installations.

Iron, chlorine, and sediment compound the hardness problem by accelerating corrosion, creating complex mineral deposits, and fouling treatment equipment. The SoftPro Elite HE addresses these challenges through high-capacity ion exchange resin, demand-initiated regeneration that prevents breakthrough during peak demand, and integrated sediment pre-filtration that protects against particulate fouling.

The system's 64K grain capacity provides optimal performance for Billings households, delivering 5-7 day regeneration intervals that balance efficiency with salt conservation. The NSF/ANSI certification and 10-year warranty provide confidence that the system will withstand the heavy daily cycling required by 18.2 GPG service conditions.

Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for a Billings household dealing with Montana's most challenging residential water conditions. Like the Yellowstone River that carved the Rimrocks over millennia, untreated hard water will reshape your home's infrastructure — but unlike geological time, the damage happens in months and years that you'll witness firsthand.