Is softened water safe to drink? | Harvey Water Softeners (2024)

FAQs

Is softened water safe to drink? | Harvey Water Softeners? ›

Drinking softened water is safe for both you and your family; your decision to drink softened water, or not, should be based solely on whether on not you like the taste!

You can drink softened water, but it's important to check the hardness level beforehand. If it's below 400 ppm, then it's safe to drink. If it's above 400 ppm, then you will need to place a reverse osmosis filter to get rid of the sodium levels.

There are no health problems caused by ion exchange water softening. The chloride ions are not added to the water. They merely pass through the resin bed during the regeneration cycle and are discharged with the regeneration waste as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride.

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.

There has been little research done to prove that a standard Brita filter can effectively remove all the added sodium in your water. If you are on a low sodium diet, a better option would be to have your kitchen water tap taken off of the water softener so your tap water can run with hard water instead.

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.

It's okay to use soft water, but it doesn't provide any benefit to your garden. And soft water should only be used occasionally on outdoor gardens that receive natural rain. Otherwise, use normal tap water for your indoor plants. Reverse Osmosis is the best water for a serious gardener.

Salt-based softeners discharge a significant amount of salt into wastewater, and this excess salt can eventually find its way into our precious rivers and lakes, leading to salinity levels that endanger regional ecosystems.

Softened water is considered safe to drink in the majority of cases.

Unraveling the Slimy Water Mystery

That sensation is a result of an ion exchange in salt-based water softeners. The sodium ions alter the behavior of the water, making it challenging to rinse off soap, hence the persistent slippery feel.

Is it better to drink hard water or soft water? ›

There is no clear consensus on whether hard water or soft water is better for drinking, but soft water is gentler on the skin and hair. Testing water quality can help determine if it is hard or soft. And water softeners or filters can be used to alter water hardness based on personal preference or specific needs.

In other words, if your water test tells you that you have 18 grains per gallon hardness, installing a water softener will add about 35 milligrams of sodium to each 8 oz. glass of water you drink. To put this in perspective, a tablespoon of catsup has 204 mg. of sodium and a slice of whole wheat bread has 211.

As mentioned before, though, brushing your teeth with softened water is often more pleasurable, compared with hard water. So, the benefit of regular brushing (properly) with soft water could actually mean more people are experiencing whiter, brighter smiles because of this fact.

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.

While your water softener might use sodium, it shouldn't use nearly enough salt to make your water taste salty. Your water might taste salty because there is a problem with the brine line, an issue with the drain line, or a problem with the control system.

The softening process slightly raises the sodium content of the water, but it's still suitable for drinking. Softened water is safe for most pets – and people – to drink. But there are a couple of exceptions. If your pet has been prescribed a restricted or sodium-free diet, don't give them softened water to drink.

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.

Installing a separate tap for unsoftened drinking water is recommended in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, endorsed by the Government Regulators WRAS and the water-softener supply industry through the UKWTA. It's safe for almost everyone to drink softened water.