Water Softener Myths

Water is one of the most important resources on the planet and is vital to sustaining life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the presence of certain contaminants in our drinking water can lead to health issues like gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may be especially at risk. That's why Maxwell-White Water Conditioning, LLC takes caring for your La Crosse home's water quality seriously.

FACT:

Using a water softener offers a beneficial trade-off for the water and salt it consumes. Notable environmental advantages of water softeners include:

• Gas water heaters preserved their efficiency factor for over 15 years.
• Water with a hardness level of 30 grains increased heating costs by 8% per 100 gallons on a gas water heater.
• An electric water heater accumulates about 2.4 pounds of scale annually when dealing with 30 grains of hardness.
• The carbon footprint of gas water heaters rises by 18% when operated with 26 grains of hardness over 15 years.
• Soft water can lead to detergent savings of up to 70% compared to hard water.
• Depending on the soil type, soft water can be 12 times more effective at soil removal than merely increasing the detergent dose.
• Soft water is found to be six times more effective at reducing spotting and twice as effective at reducing filming compared to increasing detergent use.

Overall, the effectiveness of stain removal increases significantly with soft water, even when using lower temperatures and detergent amounts. This means that soft water allows for reduced detergent use and energy savings, as lower temperatures can be used while still effectively removing stains.

FACT:

Water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium, the minerals that cause scaling, with sodium, which does not form scale.

An 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water typically contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is classified as "very low sodium" by the Food and Drug Administration, as noted by Dr. Sheldon G. Sheps of the Mayo Health Clinic.

In areas like Minnesota, where the water is generally harder, the sodium content in an 8-ounce glass of softened water averages between 10 to 30 milligrams. For comparison, the same amount of ocean water contains about 1,035 milligrams of sodium.

Organizations such as the National Research Council have stated that consuming softened water does not pose health risks. However, because the softening process replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium, the water's texture, taste, or feel may change, which some individuals may find undesirable.

For those who prefer not to consume softened water, alternatives exist. You can bypass the water softener for your kitchen cold water line or use a drinking water purification system, such as reverse osmosis.

FACT:

You might have noticed or heard about a similar experience when showering with soft water. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, which can combine with soap and other chemicals to create a "curd-like" residue. This residue often appears on shower doors or sinks, hinders soap from lathering properly, and can leave your skin feeling "squeaky" after a shower. The lack of this soap curd on your skin when using soft water can give the impression that the soap isn't fully rinsed off.

If showering with softened water feels uncomfortable, using a potassium-based soap can significantly reduce this sensation.

FACT:

Water softeners have often been wrongly accused of causing issues or failures in septic systems. In response, the Water Quality Association (WQA), the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) collaborated to conduct a controlled scientific study to investigate the impact of softeners on septic systems.

The results showed that, when used correctly, water softeners can actually be beneficial for septic systems. It is crucial to ensure that your water softener is functioning properly and not discharging unnecessarily due to incorrect settings, poor design, or malfunction. Additionally, if you have a septic tank, it is advisable to use a modern, on-demand system.

FACT:

Water softeners are specifically engineered to target and remove the minerals calcium and magnesium that contribute to water hardness. The purpose of removing these minerals is not for drinking or cooking, but rather to protect water-using appliances, plumbing systems, and fixtures from damage.

Hard water can be quite unpleasant for bathing and washing clothes, and it can cause appliances like water heaters and dishwashers to run inefficiently. This inefficiency increases energy consumption and costs for homeowners and can result in more frequent replacement of these appliances. For those concerned about losing calcium and magnesium from drinking water, it's advisable to have the kitchen's cold water line bypass the water softener. This way, you can retain these minerals in your drinking water while still protecting your home from the detrimental effects of hard water.