Is It Safe to Drink Softened Water?

on March 02, 2018 water softener salt

We all know that having a water softener system installed in your home is highly beneficial for its overall health. Because water softeners use salt for treatment, some people may have concerns about the safety of drinking softened water. Let’s investigate the safety of drinking softened water.

How Much Salt is in Softened Water?

Hard water contains a high number of contaminants such as magnesium and calcium that can cause a gambit of issues, such as scale build-up on your pipes. Most water softeners will replace those ions with sodium ions, by using specially formulated salt in your water conditioning system. If there is a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium ions, this will require more salt for treatment. Some people worry that this is putting too much sodium in the water, but that’s simply not true. Most tested water systems had less than 50 milligrams of sodium per liter. To put it into simpler terms, let’s compare it to a slice of bread. To ingest as much sodium as there is in a slice of sandwich bread, you would need to drink three liters of softened water.

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How do I Know if My Water is Safe to Drink?

Water hardness levels vary nationwide, and there is no way to know exactly how hard your water is until you have it tested. Here are some simple steps to find out your water hardness:

  1. Consult with a water professional in your area.
  2. Have your water analyzed by an EPA-accredited lab in your area. This will help you to determine the best course of water treatment.
  3. Treat your water with a certified product, such as a water softener.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that while there is additional sodium in your softened water, it is not enough to make a difference in the health of your or your pets. You would have to ingest more than your body can handle to be affected. If you want to learn more about your specific water hardness, you should have your water tested so you and a professional can devise the best treatment plan for your property.

We at Advantage Water Conditioning are here to help you at every step of the process. Our trained professionals can conduct your water testing, so the process is simple and convenient for you. Contact our friendly pros today to schedule an appointment! 

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