According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 85 percent of the United States geography has hard water. While many consumers use a water softener so they can enjoy the benefits of soft water, there is some confusion about whether softened water is safe to drink.
Some consumers are concerned that drinking softened water will increase the level of sodium in their diet. Despite the myth, softening your water will not result in salty-tasting water. Sodium bicarbonate, which is different from sodium chloride (table salt), is formed through the water softening process.
The amount of sodium added to water from the water softening process depends on the hardness of the water supply. When very hard water (greater than 10 grains of hardness per gallon) is softened, between20mg to 30mg of sodium is added to every 8 ounces of water dependent on the measured hardness. For comparison, an 8-ounce glass of low-fat milk contains about 120mg of sodium, a 12-ounce can of diet soda containsabout 40mg, and an 8-ounce glass of orange juice contains about 25mg.
The majority of the sodium in most diets–more than 90 percent–comes from sources such as processed foods and table salt. The recommended daily allowance for sodium consumption is 2,400 mg. Drinking two quarts of softened water would add 160mg to240mg of sodium to your diet. Individuals concerned about sodium in their diet should consult their physician about effective means of reducing overall sodium consumption, which will probably involve diet change. It is unlikely that a physician would discourage anyone from drinking softened water.
Because water softeners are designed to address the problem of hard water and do not remove other water contaminants such as organic matter, many of our water softener customers also use a drinking water system. Combining the benefits of a softener and a drinking water system are, for many, the best solution to healthy water for your home and your body.
FAQs
Given the highest limit on recommended levels of salt in drinking water is 200 PPM (mg/L), if the water hardness was below 400 ppm before it was softened, there is little to no risk in drinking the softened water.
Is Culligan soft water safe to drink? ›
For nearly everyone it is safe to drink softened water. Moreover, you will not be able to taste the salt in a properly functioning water softener. Some people are concerned that drinking softened water will increase the level of sodium in their diet.
Can you safely drink softened water? ›
While most softened water is perfectly safe to drink, the amount of sodium in the treated water will depend on the hardness of the original water. If the water hardness is below 400 ppm calcium before you soften it, then you can drink it with little concern.
Is it safe to drink well water with a water softener? ›
In softened water, the sodium level increases. Sodium is not the same as salt (sodium chloride). The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says that water with a sodium content of up to 200ppm is safe to drink. Unless your water is very hard to start with, the softened version is unlikely to exceed this.
Is Culligan Water good water to drink? ›
Our water is rigorously tested to ensure it meets or exceeds all state and federal safety standards. In addition, we use a state-of-the-art filtration system to remove any impurities from the water before it is delivered to your home.
Are there side effects to drinking soft water? ›
The bottom line
Most people can safely drink hard or soft water with no side effects. Higher sodium levels in soft water may be a concern for some people, but that can be managed with a potassium-based softening system.
What is the life expectancy of a Culligan water softener? ›
That's especially true for your home's water softener. But how long do water softeners last? Here's the good news: If you buy the right water softener and keep it maintained, it's likely to serve you well for 10-15 years, maybe more.
What is the downside of a water softener? ›
Cons of Installing a Water Softener
Subjectively, soft water doesn't taste as good as hard water and doesn't provide the calcium ions that some need in their drinking water for stronger teeth and bones. A water softener is not a substitute for a home filtration system as it doesn't remove lead or other heavy metals.
How to remove sodium from softened water? ›
Reverse osmosis is a highly effective and natural method for removing sodium from softened water. At the same time, reverse osmosis systems also dramatically reduce the number of contaminants in water. Reverse osmosis systems are effective at removing or reducing: Sodium.
Does a Brita filter remove sodium from softened water? ›
If your water is very hard - meaning it has more calcium, magnesium, and possibly other contaminants - the water softener will have to replace more hardness particles with sodium. There has been little research done to prove that a standard Brita filter can effectively remove all the added sodium in your water.
Soft water contains ions such as calcium and magnesium but in low levels are compared to hard water. It is not advisable to drink water containing ions as increases a person's sodium levels causing blood pressure problems.
Can I water plants with softened water? ›
If your plants get plenty of rainwater, then occasional soft water won't hurt. But watering plants exclusively with soft water isn't recommended. Most water softeners use sodium chloride, which can cause a gradual build up of sodium in garden soil. This can cause plant growth problems.
Can you cook with softened well water? ›
Overall, it is generally safe to cook with softened water as long as the water meets the standards for safe drinking water. However, if you are on a low-sodium diet or have been advised by your doctor to limit your intake of sodium, you may want to consider using an alternative water treatment method.
Can you drink water from a Culligan Water softener? ›
Generally, softened water is safe to drink. However, the water softening process can lead to elevated sodium levels in the water, which can be detrimental to the health of people with high blood pressure.
What is so special about Culligan Water? ›
The benefits of Culligan Water include:
A complete range of services to meet even your most complex water needs. Unmatched expertise to ensure the service you receive always exceeds your expectations. Convenient, expert-level service through our website and through our dedicated, mobile service team.
How pure is Culligan Water? ›
The drinking water is the same exact process as the purified water, however, we add calcium, magnesium and potassium back into it. So when it comes to mineral content and pH, it's in between the spring and the pure. The TDS or mineral content of the drinking water is roughly around 10 parts per million.
What does Culligan use to soften water? ›
Water softening uses an ion exchange process to eliminate dissolved minerals that aren't as effectively removed by mechanical filtration. These materials are what causes hard water. This ion exchange process is facilitated by resin beads in the water softener that are charged with sodium ions.
What kind of water does Culligan use? ›
Most Culligan Water dealers choose to purify water through reverse osmosis, which uses pressure to push a solution through a semipermeable membrane. This barrier allows fresher water to pass through and keeps salt and other large molecules behind.
Why does Culligan water taste so good? ›
A higher standard of water
In addition to following guidelines established by the FDA and the EPA, we also utilize ozone filtration instead of chlorine during our bottled water production. This process destroys bacteria without leaving any residual chemicals in the water or causing a bad taste or odor.
