Best Water Softener for Medina, NY — 15 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Medina, NY

Every morning, thousands of Medina residents unknowingly pour liquid concrete into their coffee makers. That's not hyperbole—it's basic chemistry. At 11.2 grains per gallon (GPG), Medina's municipal water contains enough dissolved calcium and magnesium to classify as "very hard" by EPA standards, and those minerals behave exactly like microscopic concrete when heated or concentrated.

Medina draws its water supply primarily from Lake Ontario through the Monroe County Water Authority distribution system, which serves much of western New York. The 11.2 GPG hardness level means every gallon of Medina water carries 192 milligrams of dissolved limestone—the equivalent of a small aspirin tablet of rock minerals flowing through your pipes daily.

To understand what 11.2 GPG means in practical terms, imagine your plumbing system as a series of arteries. Just as cholesterol gradually narrows human arteries by building up fatty deposits, calcium and magnesium ions create crystalline deposits that coat the interior surfaces of your pipes, water heater, and appliances. At Medina's 11.2 GPG level, this mineral "cholesterol" accumulates fast enough to measurably reduce pipe diameter within 3-5 years in galvanized steel systems.

The financial stakes for Medina homeowners are substantial. A typical household at 11.2 GPG faces an annual "hard water tax" of approximately $840-1,200 in additional energy costs, soap waste, and accelerated appliance replacement. For a $180,000 Medina home, unaddressed hard water can reduce property value by 2-4% when potential buyers notice scale staining, poor water pressure, or premature appliance failure during inspections.

2. What 11.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At Medina's 11.2 GPG hardness level, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your water heater elements—it forms concrete-like scale rings that can reduce efficiency by 25-35% within the first two years of operation. The chemistry is straightforward: when water containing 11.2 GPG of dissolved minerals is heated above 140°F, calcium and magnesium precipitate out of solution and bond permanently to metal surfaces.

For water heaters specifically, this scale acts like a thermal blanket between the heating element and the water. A 40-gallon electric water heater serving a typical Medina household will show measurable efficiency loss within 8-12 months at 11.2 GPG, with some units losing 30-40% of their original heating capacity by year three. Gas units fare slightly better but still accumulate significant scale on heat exchangers and flue passages.

Medina's older neighborhoods, particularly those built before 1960, contain thousands of homes with galvanized steel plumbing. At 11.2 GPG, these pipes develop noticeable diameter reduction within 4-6 years, with complete blockages possible in smaller branch lines serving individual fixtures. The galvanized coating provides nucleation sites where calcium crystals attach and grow, eventually forming stalactite-like deposits that restrict water flow.

Appliance manufacturers have responded to hard water damage by adjusting their warranty terms. Most tankless water heater companies now require annual descaling maintenance for water exceeding 7 GPG, and some void warranties entirely above 10 GPG without a water softener. At Medina's 11.2 GPG level, tankless units can fail within 18-24 months without proper water treatment.

The soap and detergent waste at 11.2 GPG is chemically unavoidable. Calcium and magnesium ions react with soap molecules to form insoluble precipitates—the grey scum that clings to bathtubs and shower doors. Instead of creating cleaning lather, roughly 60-70% of soap and detergent is wasted in this chemical reaction. A typical Medina household spends an additional $180-240 annually on extra soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, and dishwasher additives to compensate for this mineral interference.

Skin and hair problems become noticeable for many Medina residents during winter months when indoor heating reduces humidity. The calcium ions in 11.2 GPG water strip natural oils from skin and coat hair shafts with microscopic mineral deposits. Dermatologists report increased eczema and contact dermatitis cases in very hard water areas, particularly among children and adults with sensitive skin.

Laundry and dishware show visible hard water damage within weeks of 11.2 GPG exposure. White cotton clothing develops a grey tint that cannot be removed with additional detergent, and dishwasher glassware develops permanent etching spots that reduce clarity and resale value. The annual "hard water tax" for a typical Medina household—combining energy loss, soap waste, and appliance depreciation—ranges from $840 to $1,200 depending on home size and usage patterns.

3. Medina's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the 11.2 GPG hardness baseline, Medina residents are also contending with chlorine disinfection byproducts that interact with water hardness in problematic ways. Understanding this layered water quality challenge is essential for choosing the right treatment approach.

Chlorine and Chlorination Byproducts

The Monroe County Water Authority adds chlorine to Medina's water supply as a disinfectant to eliminate bacteria and viruses during distribution from Lake Ontario treatment facilities. While this chlorination process is essential for public health safety, it creates secondary issues for homeowners dealing with very hard water.

Chlorine residuals in Medina's water typically range from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/L depending on distance from treatment plants and seasonal demand. At 11.2 GPG hardness, chlorine reacts with calcium and magnesium deposits to form more persistent scale formations that are harder to remove through conventional cleaning. The oxidizing action of chlorine also accelerates corrosion of copper pipes and fixtures, particularly in areas where scale deposits create galvanic cell conditions.

Most Medina residents notice chlorine through its distinctive "swimming pool" odor, especially during summer months when treatment plants increase disinfection levels due to higher biological activity in Lake Ontario. The taste threshold for chlorine is approximately 1-2 mg/L, which means many households experience noticeable flavor impacts in drinking water, coffee, and cooking.

Chlorination also produces trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in the source water. While Medina's THM and HAA levels remain well below EPA maximum contaminant levels of 80 ppb and 60 ppb respectively, the presence of these compounds concerns residents who prefer to minimize exposure to potential carcinogens.

The interaction between chlorine and Medina's 11.2 GPG hardness creates a compounded maintenance problem. Chlorine degrades rubber seals, gaskets, and O-rings throughout plumbing systems, and this degradation accelerates when calcium deposits create rough surfaces that trap chlorine residuals. Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines in Medina require more frequent seal replacements than similar appliances in soft water areas.

The SoftPro Elite HE water softener addresses hardness through ion exchange but does not remove chlorine or chlorination byproducts. Medina homeowners seeking comprehensive water treatment should consider pairing the SoftPro with an activated carbon whole-house filter or point-of-use carbon filters at kitchen and bathroom sinks. Activated carbon effectively removes chlorine, improves taste and odor, and reduces THM and HAA levels to near-zero concentrations.

4. Why Most Medina Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

After reviewing hundreds of water softener installations across Orleans County, four critical mistakes appear repeatedly among Medina homeowners—mistakes that lead to system failure, wasted money, and continued hard water problems despite spending thousands on equipment.

Mistake 1: Buying on Price Alone

An undersized water softener cannot handle continuous 11.2 GPG demand, regardless of how attractive the initial price appears. Resin exhaustion happens significantly faster at Medina's hardness level compared to moderately hard water areas. A 24,000-grain unit that works adequately for a family in Rochester (7-8 GPG) will fail a similar Medina household within 3-4 days, forcing daily regeneration cycles that waste salt and water while delivering inconsistent results.

The mathematics are unforgiving: a 4-person household in Medina consumes approximately 300 gallons daily, which at 11.2 GPG creates a daily grain demand of 3,360 grains. A 24,000-grain softener reaches exhaustion in just 7 days with zero safety margin for high-usage periods like laundry days or houseguests.

Mistake 2: Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions specifically—they do not reliably remove chlorine or chlorination byproducts present in Medina's municipal supply. Many homeowners assume a single softener will address all their water concerns, then experience disappointment when chlorine taste and odor persist after installation.

Understanding the distinction is crucial for setting proper expectations. Medina residents dealing with both 11.2 GPG hardness and chlorine issues need a two-stage approach: ion exchange for hardness removal and activated carbon for chlorine treatment. Attempting to solve both problems with a single device typically results in compromised performance on both fronts.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Grain Capacity Mathematics

The sizing formula for Medina's water conditions is straightforward but frequently miscalculated:

4 people × 75 gallons/day × 11.2 GPG = 3,360 grains daily

3,360 grains × 7 days = 23,520 grains weekly

Add 20% buffer: 28,224 grains minimum capacity needed

This calculation demonstrates why a 32,000-grain capacity represents the absolute minimum for a 4-person Medina household, with 48,000 grains providing more optimal 5-7 day regeneration cycles. Attempting to operate with insufficient capacity forces the system into daily or every-other-day regeneration, which dramatically increases salt consumption and reduces resin life.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 11.2 GPG, a water softener regenerates 40-50% more frequently than systems in moderately hard water areas, making salt efficiency a critical long-term cost factor. An inefficient softener can consume 2-3 times more salt than a high-efficiency model over a 10-year service life.

The difference is substantial: an inefficient 40,000-grain softener serving a Medina household might consume 8-10 bags of salt monthly, while a high-efficiency unit with demand-initiated regeneration uses only 4-5 bags for the same service. Over 10 years in Medina, this efficiency gap compounds to $800-1,200 in additional salt costs plus the time and effort of more frequent refilling.

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

After evaluating Medina's water hardness of 11.2 GPG and the presence of chlorine in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Medina homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener.

The recommendation isn't based on marketing claims or manufacturer relationships—it's anchored to the specific chemistry and engineering challenges that 11.2 GPG water creates in real-world residential applications. Every feature of the SoftPro Elite HE directly addresses a documented problem that Medina homeowners experience with their municipal water supply.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange Technology

Salt-free systems do not actually remove hardness minerals from Medina's 11.2 GPG water—they only attempt to change crystal structure through template-assisted crystallization (TAC) or electromagnetic fields. While these alternative technologies might reduce scale formation in moderately hard water (3-7 GPG), they cannot prevent the substantial mineral precipitation that occurs at Medina's hardness level.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses true cation exchange resin to physically replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This ion substitution delivers genuinely soft water (under 1 GPG) that prevents scale formation entirely, rather than hoping to modify scale crystal structure while leaving the minerals in solution. At 11.2 GPG, this distinction between removal and modification becomes operationally critical for protecting water heaters and appliances.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR)

At Medina's 11.2 GPG hardness level, resin beds exhaust significantly faster than in moderate hardness areas, making regeneration timing absolutely critical for consistent performance. Traditional time-clock systems regenerate on fixed schedules regardless of actual water usage, leading to either hard water breakthrough (under-regeneration) or salt and water waste (over-regeneration).

The SoftPro's DIR technology monitors actual water usage and hardness removal to initiate regeneration only when the resin approaches exhaustion. For Medina households with variable water consumption—high usage during laundry days, low usage during travel—DIR ensures consistent soft water delivery while minimizing salt consumption. This precision becomes increasingly important as hardness levels rise above 10 GPG.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Resin

Third-party NSF certification verifies that the ion exchange resin meets strict performance benchmarks and materials safety standards under continuous high-hardness operation. For Medina residents already managing chlorine in their water supply, knowing the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contaminants or leach unsafe materials provides important peace of mind.

The certification testing includes capacity verification, brine efficiency validation, and materials extraction testing. At 11.2 GPG, the resin experiences heavy daily mineral loading that can stress lower-quality media—NSF certification provides assurance that the resin will maintain performance under Medina's demanding water conditions.

Multiple Grain Capacity Options

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000-grain capacity options, allowing precise sizing for Medina's 11.2 GPG water. For a typical 4-person household, the 48,000-grain model provides optimal 5-6 day regeneration cycles with adequate buffer for high-usage periods.

Larger households or homes with high water usage should consider the 64,000 or 80,000-grain models. The key sizing principle in Medina is ensuring regeneration occurs every 5-7 days maximum—longer intervals risk hard water breakthrough, while shorter intervals waste salt and water unnecessarily.

10-Year Manufacturer Warranty

At 11.2 GPG, ion exchange resin experiences substantially heavier mineral loading than systems operating in soft or moderately hard water areas. The SoftPro's 10-year warranty provides Medina homeowners with protection during the critical years when very hard water places maximum stress on system components.

The warranty coverage includes resin replacement, control valve repair, and tank integrity. For Medina residents investing in water treatment infrastructure, this extended protection period acknowledges that 11.2 GPG operation represents severe service conditions that require robust component design and manufacturer backing.

For Medina households dealing with 11.2 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of chlorine disinfection byproducts, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade—it is infrastructure protection for your home. The system's design and warranty terms specifically account for the demanding operating conditions that very hard water creates.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Medina

Proper sizing for Medina's 11.2 GPG water requires precise calculation—undersizing leads to hard water breakthrough during peak demand, while oversizing wastes money and floor space unnecessarily.

Follow this step-by-step sizing process:

Step 1: Count household members (include regular overnight guests)

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (EPA average)

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 11.2 GPG = daily grain demand

Step 4: Multiply by 7 days = weekly grain demand

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days

Step 6: Match result to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity options

Example calculation for a 4-person Medina household:

4 people × 75 gallons = 300 gallons daily

300 gallons × 11.2 GPG = 3,360 grains daily

3,360 grains × 7 days = 23,520 grains weekly

23,520 + 20% buffer = 28,224 grains minimum needed

Recommendation: 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE for optimal 5-6 day regeneration cycles

The 20% buffer accounts for laundry days, houseguests, lawn watering, and other high-usage events that can temporarily spike demand above average. At Medina's 11.2 GPG level, running a softener to complete exhaustion risks hard water breakthrough that can damage water heaters and appliances within hours.

Larger households should scale accordingly: 6-person families need approximately 42,000 grains weekly before buffer, making the 64,000-grain model appropriate. The goal is regeneration every 5-7 days—shorter intervals waste salt, longer intervals risk system failure during high-demand periods.

7. Installation in Medina: What to Know

New York State does not require licensed plumber installation for residential water softeners, but Medina's municipal codes do require proper drainage connections and backflow prevention for regeneration discharge.

Optimal placement follows the sequence: main water shutoff valve → water softener → water heater and distribution system. This configuration ensures all household water receives treatment while protecting the softener from hot water backflow that could damage resin beads. The bypass valve must remain accessible for maintenance and emergency situations.

Regeneration requires a drain connection within 20 feet of the softener location. The brine discharge contains elevated sodium levels and must connect to the sanitary sewer system, not storm drains or septic dry wells. Orleans County health department regulations specifically prohibit softener discharge to groundwater due to chloride contamination concerns.

Medina's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-65 PSI throughout most residential areas, which falls within the SoftPro Elite HE's optimal operating range of 25-80 PSI. Homes experiencing low pressure (below 40 PSI) should install a pressure booster pump upstream of the softener to ensure adequate regeneration flow rates.

Salt selection is critical at Medina's 11.2 GPG hardness level. Evaporated salt pellets provide the highest purity and leave minimal brine tank residue during heavy regeneration cycles. Solar salt crystals contain higher impurity levels that can accumulate in brine tanks over time, requiring more frequent cleaning. At 11.2 GPG consumption rates, the cost difference between salt types becomes negligible compared to the maintenance time saved with higher-purity pellets.

Salt level monitoring becomes routine maintenance at Medina's hardness level. A 48,000-grain softener serving a 4-person household will consume approximately 4-5 bags of salt monthly, requiring refills every 6-8 weeks depending on brine tank capacity. Establishing a monthly check routine prevents system failure due to salt depletion.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Medina Homeowners

Medina's 11.2 GPG water hardness accelerates softener component wear and increases maintenance frequency compared to moderate hardness areas. Following a structured maintenance calendar prevents expensive repairs and ensures consistent performance.

Monthly Maintenance

Check salt levels monthly due to high consumption at 11.2 GPG. A 4-person household typically uses 80-100 pounds of salt monthly, compared to 40-50 pounds in moderately hard water areas. Mark the brine tank with tape to track consumption patterns and identify any sudden changes that might indicate system problems.

Inspect for salt bridges—a hardened crust that forms above the water line and prevents proper brine formation. Salt bridges occur more frequently in very hard water areas due to rapid regeneration cycles and higher humidity in brine tanks. Break bridges carefully with a broom handle, avoiding damage to internal components.

Confirm the bypass valve remains in the "service" position. Accidentally switching to bypass stops softening immediately but symptoms may not appear for 1-2 days, potentially causing scale damage before detection.

Quarterly Maintenance

Clean the brine tank every 3 months to remove sediment and salt residue that accumulates during frequent regeneration cycles. Empty the tank completely, scrub interior surfaces with warm water, and inspect the brine well for clogs or damage.

Test post-softener water hardness using test strips or a digital TDS meter. Properly functioning systems should deliver water below 1 GPG consistently—readings above 2-3 GPG indicate resin exhaustion, inadequate regeneration, or system bypass.

Inspect and clean the sediment pre-filter if present. Medina's water occasionally contains particulate matter from distribution system maintenance that can clog pre-filters and reduce system flow rates.

Annual Maintenance

Perform complete brine tank disassembly and cleaning annually. Remove the brine well, inspect all internal components, and replace any cracked or corroded parts. Very hard water systems accumulate more mineral deposits in brine tanks than moderate hardness installations.

Conduct a comprehensive resin bed performance evaluation. If post-softener hardness creeps above 1 GPG despite adequate salt levels and proper regeneration timing, the resin may require cleaning with iron-out products or replacement. At 11.2 GPG loading rates, resin degradation occurs faster than manufacturer estimates based on average water conditions.

Audit regeneration cycle timing and salt dosing. Systems operating in Medina's water conditions may require regeneration frequency adjustments as resin ages and household water usage patterns change.

Five-Year Maintenance

Evaluate resin replacement based on performance testing rather than arbitrary timelines. At 11.2 GPG, ion exchange resin experiences substantially heavier mineral loading than moderate hardness applications. Some installations may require resin replacement after 7-8 years instead of the typical 10-15 year expectation.

Professional tip: Medina residents should establish baseline hardness readings before installation and retest annually to track gradual performance degradation before it becomes problematic.

9. What to Do Next

Take action within the next 30 days to prevent continued hard water damage to your Medina home's plumbing and appliances. Every month of delay at 11.2 GPG allows additional scale accumulation that becomes progressively harder and more expensive to address.

Order a comprehensive water test kit to confirm your home's exact hardness level and identify any additional contaminants beyond the municipal averages. Individual homes can vary ±1-2 GPG from city averages due to internal plumbing conditions and proximity to distribution mains.

Measure your current water usage by reading your meter daily for one week, then divide by household members to confirm the 75-gallon-per-person assumption used in softener sizing. Households with pools, large gardens, or teenagers may exceed 100 gallons per person daily, requiring larger capacity systems.

Contact local plumbing suppliers to verify SoftPro Elite HE availability and current pricing for the grain capacity your household requires. Lead times can extend 4-8 weeks during peak installation seasons, so early ordering prevents continued hard water exposure.

10. Homeowner Checklist

Before purchasing any water softener for your Medina home, complete this verification checklist to ensure proper system selection and installation success.

Water Quality Verification:

• Confirm your home's hardness level with independent testing

• Identify chlorine levels if taste/odor concerns exist

• Test for iron if you notice metallic taste or orange staining

• Verify water pressure at main shutoff valve (should exceed 40 PSI)

System Sizing:

• Calculate daily grain demand using actual household size

• Account for high-usage periods (laundry, guests, irrigation)

• Select grain capacity for 5-7 day regeneration cycles

• Confirm adequate space for chosen system dimensions

Installation Requirements:

• Locate suitable drain connection within 20 feet

• Verify electrical outlet near installation location

• Plan salt storage and delivery access

• Schedule installation before peak heating season when possible

11. Recommended Setup for Medina

The optimal water treatment configuration for most Medina households combines the SoftPro Elite HE water softener with targeted chlorine removal at point-of-use locations.

Primary treatment: SoftPro Elite HE 48,000-grain softener installed at main water line entry, configured for 5-6 day regeneration cycles using high-purity evaporated salt pellets. This addresses the 11.2 GPG hardness that causes scale damage throughout your home's plumbing system.

Secondary treatment: Activated carbon filter at kitchen sink for chlorine removal from drinking and cooking water. Under-sink carbon cartridges cost $30-50 annually and eliminate chlorine taste/odor without the expense of whole-house carbon filtration.

Optional upgrade: Whole-house activated carbon pre-filter for households with sensitive skin or strong chlorine sensitivity. Install upstream of the softener to prevent chlorine degradation of ion exchange resin over time.

System monitoring: Digital hardness test kit for monthly verification, salt level indicator for brine tank, and annual professional water testing to track system performance. Early detection prevents expensive emergency repairs and ensures continuous protection for your Medina home.

12. 30-Day Action Plan

Week 1: Order independent water testing and measure household water consumption patterns. Contact three local installers for SoftPro Elite HE quotes and availability.

Week 2: Review test results and finalize system sizing based on actual hardness and usage data. Schedule installation appointment and arrange salt delivery logistics.

Week 3: Complete installation and initial system setup. Test post-softener water hardness to confirm proper operation.

Week 4: Monitor daily operation and adjust regeneration timing if needed. Establish monthly maintenance routine and salt ordering schedule.

This timeline prevents additional hard water damage while ensuring proper system selection and installation quality.

13. Is Medina's water at 11.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

Medina's 11.2 GPG water hardness poses no direct health risks and actually provides beneficial calcium and magnesium minerals that many diets lack. The EPA classifies hardness as an aesthetic water quality parameter, not a health concern. However, the scale damage to plumbing systems can create secondary problems that affect water quality and safety.

The primary health consideration involves sodium intake after softener installation. Ion exchange adds approximately 12.6 mg of sodium per 8-ounce glass of softened water at 11.2 GPG—roughly equivalent to one small pretzel. Individuals on strict low-sodium diets should consult physicians before installing softening systems.

14. Will a water softener remove chlorine from Medina's water supply?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE water softener will not remove chlorine or chlorination byproducts from Medina's municipal water supply. Ion exchange resin targets calcium and magnesium ions specifically—chlorine molecules pass through the softener unchanged.

Medina residents seeking chlorine removal need activated carbon filtration either at point-of-use locations (kitchen sink, shower) or whole-house installation upstream of the softener. Carbon filtration costs $200-800 depending on capacity and can reduce chlorine levels to near-zero while maintaining the softener's hardness removal capability.

15. How much salt will I use per month in Medina at 11.2 GPG?

A properly sized SoftPro Elite HE serving a 4-person Medina household will consume approximately 80-100 pounds of salt monthly at 11.2 GPG hardness levels. This translates to 2-2.5 standard 40-pound bags every four weeks.

Salt consumption scales directly with water usage and hardness level. Larger households or high-usage periods (guests, laundry, lawn watering) can increase monthly consumption to 120-150 pounds during peak demand seasons. Budget approximately $15-25 monthly for salt costs depending on bulk purchasing and delivery options available in Orleans County.

Final Verdict for Medina

Medina's water hardness of 11.2 GPG demands commercial-grade treatment capability in a residential package. This isn't moderately hard water that homeowners can ignore for a few years—it's very hard water that causes measurable damage to plumbing systems, appliances, and household budgets within months of exposure.

The presence of chlorine disinfection byproducts compounds the hardness problem by accelerating corrosion and making scale deposits more persistent and difficult to remove. Medina homeowners need a two-pronged approach: reliable hardness removal through proven ion exchange technology, plus targeted chlorine treatment at point-of-use locations.

The SoftPro Elite HE rises to the top because its demand-initiated regeneration, NSF-certified resin, and multiple capacity options directly address the operational challenges that 11.2 GPG water creates in real-world residential applications. The 10-year warranty provides protection during the years when very hard water places maximum stress on system components.

Check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for Medina households. The 48,000-grain model provides optimal performance for most 4-person homes, while larger households should consider 64,000 or 80,000-grain configurations.

Every day of delay allows 11.2 GPG water to deposit another microscopic layer of limestone throughout your plumbing system—damage that's expensive to reverse but completely preventable with proper water treatment along the historic Erie Canal corridor that shaped Medina's development.