Water Softening: Not The Healthiest

Water softening system will not only leave your water healthier, but it will also save you some hard-earned cash. Lately, you've notice a discolored ring around the bathtub and in the toilet. Your shampoo doesn't lather well. It seems like your laundry detergent isn't doing its job. Chances are you have hard water, and you need to use a water softening system.

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, ferrous iron, or manganese. These dissolved chemicals can cause discolorations in toilets, sinks and bathtubs, increased "soap scum", clogged pipes due to build up, and even corrosion in metal pipes. Detergents will seem to not work as well as they should, and you may not feel truly clean after taking a shower.

Water softeners are designed to combat these effects and remove the dissolved chemicals from the water you use. They come in various forms, from single sink attachments to whole house systems. Most systems use Sodium Chloride, or common table salt, to remove deposits from the water. The water runs through a bed of plastic beads or zeolite that is coated with sodium ions. As the water passes through, the sodium attracts the calcium, magnesium, or iron, and effectively swaps places with them in the water. This effect "softens" the water. Eventually, the beads or zeolite must be "recharged" with sodium ions to continue functioning properly. There are also some health risks for those who must follow low-sodium diets.

There are also systems that do not use sodium chloride. Some use magnets, potassium chloride, electronic frequency technology, and reverse osmosis. Effectiveness of each system depends on the hardness of the water, budget, and needs of the household. All softeners can be automatic, semi-automatic, or manual, and are usually connected directly to the water supply. All systems require some upkeep or recharging from time to time.

While a softening system will remove harmful "hard" particles from your water, it will not remove beneficial minerals from the water in your home. The ion exchange process targets only the calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness. Some systems also use ultraviolet treatments to target any bacteria from groundwater.

The complexity of these systems is generally only restricted by your budget and the space required. Most of these devices are installed between the water supply and water heating unit, and require space for conditioning tanks or filtration systems. There is also an option to adjust the specific pH of the water in your home. New technologies allow for a greater scope of control over the water you use in your home.

Water treatment options have come a long way since the days of carbon filters. Now you can have softer and cleaner clothes, use less detergent, feel cleaner after a shower, and prevent build up in your pipes. Softening your own water is also better for the environment, as you won't need to buy bottled water to drink, and won't add plastic bottles to landfills. The impact on your budget will be positive as well. You will use less detergents and soaps, and need fewer cleaning agents around the home.