water softener
Ryne,
Check with your apartment manager/owner to see if they allow water softeners. Many do. I have lived in three apartment complexes and all three had no problems with a softener being added..at the renter's expense, of course.
It is actually to the manager/owner's advantage to have a softener installed as it means less water hardness build up on their fixtures, and they have a cleaner unit to offer the next renter when you leave.
When I had my first apartment in the latter seventies, we had companies that rented softeners back then, I think mine was called, "Miracle Water," and they did not charge for installation if you signed a rental contract.
In my other two apartments, I just purchased a unit from Sears and kept it for both apartments. The first time I had Sears install it, the second time I sweated the joints and installed it myself. Neither time was I given a problem about taking the softener when I left. (They could have technically, have as many rental agreements state attached fixtures become the property of the apartment owner.). Having the plumbing changed was an advantage to the apartment owner, as it was a selling point for future renters, saying they could put in a softener with no installation fees.
Evidently, you have groundwater sourced water supplies in your area of Indiana. Your aquifers are likely limestone, and/or gravel, as we have in Ohio. Limestone and glacial gravel aquifers are notorious for leaching calcium carbonate into the water. Our hardness levels in my area of Ohio were about 23 to 26 grains per gallon+. This is enough to negatively interact with detergents and create soap scum/curds on your fixtures (and you).
Check with your landlord, I bet they will have no problem at all with your installing a softener, and even taking it with you when you leave. It is a win/win situation for you both.[this post was last edited: 9/21/2023-08:04]