What Is A Water Softener System?
by Dr. Jonathan Doyle - Updated October 26, 2023
From washing dishes to keeping our bodies hydrated, water is necessary for our
daily activities. But the water we use is not of the same quality. The prevalence of hard water, which has high
concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium, is a problem that many people encounter regularly. Let us
explore the world of water softeners, which were created primarily to handle these issues brought on by hard
water.
Definition of Water Softener
A comprehensive filtration system created for entire households is a water
softener. The magnesium and calcium minerals that cause water hardness are successfully removed using an
approach known as ion exchange. Hard water poses serious issues for homes because it causes scale buildup in
pipes, which causes clogs and lowers water pressure.
Related: Can you drink distilled water ?
Due to this scale, appliances like dishwashers, coffee makers, and ice makers have
shorter lifespans. In addition, water heating appliances are especially weak. Calcium and magnesium solidify
when water is heated, creating deposits inside water heaters. Because of the scale that is adhered to the
heating element during this process, a distinctive popping noise that sounds like popcorn is produced.
Without a water softener, dishes frequently come out of the dishwasher streaked and
stained, and laundry frequently needs additional detergent to prevent a dirty appearance. Shampoo and soap do
not lather well, and shower curtains gather filmy scum. Your skin may become dry and itchy after taking a bath
in hard water, and your hair may become limp and sticky. It takes a significant amount of time, effort, and
money to deal with these effects of hard water.
A whole-house water softener can help solve this issue. The problems caused by
water hardness are successfully addressed by this system, resulting in cleaner and more effective water usage
throughout your home.
If you are looking for reverse osmosis system , click to learn more.
How do Home Softeners Function?
By removing dangerous minerals from the water before it reaches your faucets, an
ion exchange water softener that uses a salt-based technique effectively solves the problem of limescale. For
your home to receive the benefits of softened water throughout, this kind of water softener is integrated into
the plumbing system and typically placed close to the main water inlet.
These whole house water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove the harmful
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) ions that cause limescale and replace them with sodium (Na) ions. Water hardness
is caused by calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, which a water softener eliminates and replaces with
sodium ions.
The resin beads in the softener are rinsed with a brine solution during a procedure
known as regeneration. The beads are revitalized as a result, continuing to soften water effectively. It is
important to keep in mind that this softening process adds a negligible amount of extra sodium to the water
supply, which is typically safe for consumption. Installing a water filter, however, can further reduce sodium
content and improve the taste of your water if you are concerned about levels.
How Can You Tell If a Water Softener Is Needed in Your Home?
For the maintenance of your home and personal comfort, determining whether you
require a water softener is crucial. You probably have a problem with hard water if you’ve noticed a lot of soap
scum buildup, your towels are getting stiff and hard, or you have trouble getting a good lather in the shower. A
hard water filter is a must for your house.
Contrary to common belief, people who have private wells with exceptionally hard
water are not the only ones who need water softeners. You might have hard water right out of the tap even if you
get your water from your city or village. Municipalities purify water to remove impurities, but they typically
leave the hardness minerals in because they don’t pose a health risk.
If you want to provide healthy, clean drinking water for your family, installing an
under sink water filtration system is also a good option.
It is important to remember that water hardness, at any level, can have a negative
impact on your house and daily life. Since municipal treatment is not available if you have a well, you may also
need additional filtration techniques to improve the quality of your water.
What to Look for When Choosing a Water Softener?
A few key factors must be taken into account when choosing the right water
softener. You must first choose the type of water softener you want. While traditional water softeners are
preferred by most households, there are some circumstances where a salt-free softener might be more appropriate.
The size of the softener that is needed must be determined as the next critical
step. The size of your home and how much water you use each day will determine this choice. In exceptional
circumstances, such as households with sports-active kids who frequently use the washing machine, a larger soft
water system may be required to meet the demand.
Every day, the average human consumes 100-175 gallons of water . The number of people in
your home should be multiplied by 100 to determine the appropriate size softener. Then, multiply this figure by
the amount of hardness in your water, which can be calculated using a test strip for hard water. This
calculation enables you to choose a water softener that can successfully handle the water hardness unique to the
requirements of your household.
Water Quality Issues
A typical problem brought on by hard water is the formation of limescale inside
your home appliances. When calcium-containing water is heated, it crystallizes into limescale, which builds up
in things like dishwashers, washing machines, and kettles. Their effectiveness is greatly diminished by this
accumulation.
Limescale also has a negative effect on the performance and efficiency of your
heating system. It serves as insulation, slowing down the flow of water and increasing the energy needed to heat
it, ultimately increasing your heating costs. Hard water minerals in your plumbing system cause limescale buildup
, which leads to malfunctions and higher maintenance costs.
Your skin’s reaction to the minerals in hard water can result in dryness and
itching. Itchy skin conditions like eczema may be made worse by hard water. When you wash your clothes in hard
water, they may lose their color and softness and feel scratchy next to your skin. Additionally, too many
minerals build up on your scalp, resulting in dull, frizzy hair that needs more shampoo.
Hard water minerals also leave stains on faucets, furniture, and cutlery. Bathroom
surfaces develop soap scum, which makes cleaning difficult and time-consuming. As a result, you spend more time
and money on maintenance and cleaning supplies.
Long-term effects of hard water on your household budget include increased cleaning
costs and the need for appliance repairs. Due to excessive use of energy and cleaning supplies, it also impacts
the environment. Solving your hard water problems can help you save money and make your house eco-friendlier and
more efficient.
Is Drinking Soft Water Safe?
Yes, drinking soft water is safe. Calcium and magnesium, two minerals that
contribute to water hardness, are taken from softened water during treatment. The ion exchange process is used
by water softeners to replace these minerals with sodium or potassium ions. The tiny amount of sodium or
potassium added during this process is typically far below the levels that are advised as part of a healthy
diet’s daily intake.
But if you must follow a low-sodium diet because of a medical condition like high
blood pressure, you might want to think about using a different water source for drinking and cooking, like a
separate unsoftened water tap in your kitchen. Additionally, patients with particular health issues should speak
with their doctor about their water intake.
Aside from that, it is important to note that some people prefer the taste of hard
water to that of soft water. In such situations, drinking water selection may be influenced by personal
preference.
Related: How to Remineralize Reverse Osmosis Water ?
Contaminants Detected in Fruitland Water
Special
Service District
30
Contaminants
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
30 Total Contaminants in Your Water
Water Provider
Fruitland Water Special Service DistrictPopulation Affected
120,000Water Source
Ground waterExceeds Guidelines
Others Detected