We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Drinking Water Softener?

Dana Hinders
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,741
Share

Drinking water softener systems aim to reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water can clog pipes, damage home appliances, and make it harder for soap and detergent to dissolve. It also has a distinctive taste that many people find quite unpleasant.

Drinking water softener systems work by removing calcium and magnesium ions from the water in your home. Some, but not all, softeners will also reduce the amount of iron in your drinking water. Ion exchangers in these types of home water filtration systems replace the ions that have been removed with either sodium or potassium ions.

Water treatment systems designed to produce soft water must be connected directly to your water supply. They can be automatic, semi-automatic, or manual and will not damage your home's septic tank if properly installed. Ratings for drinking water softener systems are given based on the amount of hardness that can be removed. Regardless of the type of water softener you choose, however, the system should not be used in a home with lead pipes, due to the risk that artificially softened water may pick up too much lead.

Softened water is perfectly safe to drink. It contains all the nutrients of regular water, with the exception of the excess calcium and magnesium. However, you may want to be cautious when using softened water for the preparation of baby formula. Depending upon your initial water quality and the type of water softener system you are using, the filtered water may have too much sodium to be suitable for this purpose.

Although drinking water softener systems may seem expensive to install, keep in mind that a good water softener system will last for many years. In fact, many homeowners have systems that are 20 or 30 years old and require little maintenance. With careful comparison shopping, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a system that fits your budget and will provide high quality drinking water for your family.

If you are not sure what your future plans may involve, remember that many drinking water softener systems can be removed at a later date if you decide to sell your home. The connection system is often very similar to those used for a washer and dryer. If you close off the inlet and outlet valves of the softener and open up the bypass valve, the softener can be disconnected. Then, all you need to do is move it to the new location and reinstall it.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Dana Hinders
By Dana Hinders
With a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa, Dana Hinders brings a strong foundation to her work as a freelance writer. After discovering her passion for freelance writing following the birth of her son, Dana has been a vital part of the WiseGeek team. She also showcases her versatility by creating sales copy and content for e-courses and blogs.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
With a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa, Dana Hinders brings a strong foundation to...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-drinking-water-softener.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.