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Salt and Minerals in Water |
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Written by Mike
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Jerry from California writes:
I have a water softener that uses salt and it came with the reverse
osmosis filter at the sink in the kitchen. I am conerned that the salt is
harming the environment, the system is using to much water, and that the
minerals I need in the water are not there. If this is true, I'd like to
change the system. The problem is, what system to install. With
ionization, softeners with salt, softeners without salt, whole house
carbon filters, whole house water treatment without a softener, how does
one know what is needed. I just want to make sure my pipes and applances
are not being ruined by the water and that I have healthy drinking and
cooking water.
Sincerely, Jerry
Your best option currently is municipally treated water. It is the
cheapest and contains all the minerals natural water supplies come with.
Many independent water treatment companies expound the evils of municipal
water and this is simply not true.
Many people think the chlorine is dangerous. While it is a dangerous
chemical in large amounts, the amount in drinking water is designed to
kill microorganisms only. Chlorine usually is about 1 part per million in
water supplies and when it is dissolved in water it dissociates into
hypochlorous acid. When it hits your stomach it is obliterated by the
high concentrations of stomach acid and will not do any harm to you. If
you don't like the smell or taste, a carbon filter will take care of this
for you. Even a jug filter like Brita will do this - just make sure to
follow the manufacturers recommendations for proper timing of filter
changes.
I don't know a lot about saltless softeners. I do not want to say anything
negative as there are various types. However, I work for a municipal water
system and a customer called complaining of scale build up on plates and
cutlery after it went through the dishwasher. I found onsite that they
had a 'saltless' softener. I performed hardness testing before and after
the softener and it was just as hard after as it was before. They had no
issue with scaling with their old salt softener.
What you can do is have a plumber put a water line to your kitchen sink
before the softener, and this will get you unsoftened water that is low in
sodium so you do not need an R.O. filter, and the rest of your house has
soft water for washing and cleaning. You may also try using potassium
chloride salt for your softener - this will work for you but if you have
high hardness in the water it may still impart a salty taste.
Hope that helps.
Best regards,
Mike
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