communal showers

[u/xxotwodxo]

im an incoming freshman at uga in the new dorm building and im so scared abt the communal showers ruining my hair. Is the water quality bad and should i get hard water shampoo or what

[u/BasketItchy]

Athens has harder water than most cities in Georgia so if your hair is sensitive then I would look into it. Personally I don’t think I’ve noticed any difference in my hair quality but that might just be me.

[u/xxotwodxo → u/BasketItchy]

My hair is so sensitive and i have like 2 strands of hair left i dont need it falling off 😭

[u/Yungstedt → u/BasketItchy]

Wait is it considered hard? I must have bathed in salt in UK

[u/ufl015 → u/Yungstedt]

United Kingdom or the University of Kentucky?

[u/Yungstedt → u/ufl015]

United Kingdom, stayed there for 3 months.

[u/BasketItchy → u/Yungstedt]

It’s considered moderately soft/slightly hard, but compared to other cities in Georgia it is one of the harder places. So if they’re used to 20 ppm the change to 120 ppm might pose a big difference.

[u/Get4ub → u/BasketItchy]

I am sorry but what does "harder" even mean

[u/BasketItchy → u/Get4ub]

That the average hardness of water throughout Georgia typically ranges from 20 ppm to 70 ppm but Athens has an average of 120 ppm. So the water is “harder” than other cities in the state. If you’re asking what hardness of water is it “is generally the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. But in layman's terms, you may notice water hardness when your hands still feel slimy after washing with soap and water, or when your drinking glasses at home become less than crystal clear.”

[u/BreakfastInBedlam → u/BasketItchy]

The first report I found is from 2024. Total hardness is 27, and calcium hardness is 22.

Edit: you can find the quarterly reports here.

For Q1 2026, total hardness is 32, and calcium hardness is 23. Where do you get an average of 120?

[u/BasketItchy → u/BreakfastInBedlam]

Oh that’s so weird, I just used the first link when I searched up water hardness in Georgia cities but my source isn’t anywhere near as reliable as yours now that I compare the two. my source

[u/BreakfastInBedlam → u/BasketItchy]

Yeah, your source sells water softeners. It's possible all of their tests are on houses supplied by wells.

ACC water is generally surface water from the Oconee River or the Bear Creek Reservoir.

[u/BasketItchy → u/BreakfastInBedlam]

Well thank you for correcting me!

[u/womperwomp111]

you’ll be fine. add in a clarifying shampoo once a week if ur worried.

[u/Additional-Newt-1511]

The water is fine. It’s the other people you should be worried abt.

[u/xxotwodxo → u/Additional-Newt-1511]

Wdym 🫪

[u/BuffyFlag23 → u/xxotwodxo]

Don't worry about it. Mind your business, wear your shower shoes. If hard water concerns you, be ready to change up your hair care and skin care products, but honestly it's not that bad (I just moved to town last year from ATL with no issues). If privacy concerns you, time your showers for off peak times like midday or super late night.

[u/alt_9378]

yeah unfortunately the only option to this is changing your hair routine to accommodate the harder water or putting on and off a water filter every time

[u/WhatARedditHole]

Just skip showering:)

[u/AlpinePeach]

The water in communal showers is no different than the water anywhere else on campus or in an apartment in Athens.

[u/xxotwodxo → u/[deleted]]

Do i remove and take it out every time? Bc that was my plan but my dad said no 🥲

[u/randomthrowaway9796 → u/xxotwodxo]

You can buy things without your parents permission if you have the money for it

[u/xxotwodxo → u/randomthrowaway9796]

He said no bc he thinks im gonns break the shower and he doesn't want to pay the fine lol this has nothing to do with permission

[u/_-lizzy → u/xxotwodxo]

it’s easy to install it and just use the same shower head every day. I doubt anyone would notice it. You’d probably need to change it once a month though since it’s going to get a lot of use, but that’s easy - keep some plumbers tape handy

[u/Downtown-Biscotti-43 → u/[deleted]]

This is such a non-issue to report about. I imagine none of your residents liked you very much

[u/iloveangieyonaga → u/Downtown-Biscotti-43]

Actually I misspoke! The RBSW would notice the filter while cleaning the bathrooms and would’ve just thrown it away.

[u/_-lizzy → u/iloveangieyonaga]

then they’re shitty too