The American Heart Association labelled salt as one of the contributors to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attacks. Since then we are watching what we eat and drink. Sodium hides in nearly every piece of food we eat.
The dietary guidelines recommend a daily intake of sodium around 2,300 mg per day. The average American consumes around 3,400 mg per day. The main source of sodium in peoples diet comes from processed food and table salt.
Slice of White Bread: 147mg
Ribeye: 157mg
Ice-cream: 53mg
Water softeners usually contribute to 1% of people’s daily sodium intake. The reason that salt gets into the water is that softeners use a process called Ion Exchange.
Ion Exchange is the process of replacing a molecule of lesser charge for a charged molecule. The ion exchange uses salt ions to replace calcium and magnesium in the water supply.
Ion Exchange is the most affordable way to remove calcium and magnesium (limescale) particles from the water.
An easy formula to understand how much sodium gets into your water is roughly described as:
GPG X 2 = mg NaCl per 8oz glass of water
Can You Taste The Salt In Water?
Whole house water softeners change the make up of the water leading to a difference in taste of the regular softened water. But it does not make the water noticeably salty, and since it removes the sediment the water tastes smoother.
To get the most out of your water we recommend getting a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System that is specifically designed to take your whole house water and make it 10,000x purer. Creating a Bottled Water Factory right at your kitchen sink. With a Drinking Water System the air in your home actually becomes cleaner and your pets drink more water!
To soften water specialized resin beads that resemble a golf ball sit charged with a + Sodium Ion, and as contaminated water filled with calcium and magnesium runs through the resin bed the highly charged calcium molecules push out the weaker sodium ion. As the water runs through the system the hardness gets trapped in the resin beads and sodium ions.
Is There A Salt Substitute?
The incredible thing about Ion Exchange is it can also work with another salt called Potassium Chloride. Potassium Chloride allows those with higher concern for sodium in their diet to switch their existing system over to KCl which reduces sodium in the water. However, the one downside is it costs more per bag than regular salt.
40Lb Bag of KCl = $29.97
40lb Bag of NaCl = $5.59
And if you have an electric water softener they usually use 1 bag a month costing over $360 yearly. That is why we recommend upgrading your water with a Drinking water system, which saves you money and removes the salt. Also, if you are spending a lot on salt from an electric water softener see the Kinetico Difference.
Alternatives
In addition to getting a Drinking Water System to get rid of the salt in the water. Alternatives exist in the Market most commonly Whole House Reverse Osmosis and Salt-Free Water Conditioners.
Additional Resources:
www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/sodium-and-salt
At Aqua Clear Water Systems, we pride ourselves on being one of the highest quality water system companies in all of Tennessee.
Do Water Softeners put Salt Into the Water?
If my water softener uses salt, does that mean I am drinking salty water?
This is a common concern among those new to home water softening systems. With an everyday understanding, of course you’d assume this is the case. However, water softeners don’t directly replace hard water minerals in your drinking water with salt, despite their need for salt for the system to work.
Water softeners work using a process called ion exchange, that replaces ions which may damage your plumbing and cause you problems with your appliances, with ‘softer’ ions.
This article will cover the exchange process in more detail, the safety of consuming softened water, potential issues you may encounter and what will happen if you don’t keep up with your system’s maintenance.
How Water Softeners Work
Hard water has a higher mineral content than soft water, and this usually consists of calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your plumbing and appliances, as well as making your washed dishes appear cloudy or spotted.
Water softeners can reduce this dramatically, turning the water that flows into your home into soft water, eradicating the hard water problems.
Water softening systems have a tank filled with resin beads that have a negative charge. When water containing calcium and magnesium ions (which are positively charged) flows into the tank, the calcium and magnesium sticks to the beads and is therefore removed from the water as it flows through.
At the same time, the resin beads release sodium or potassium ions into the water, which is known as an ion exchange.
In order for water softeners to work, they have a separate brine tank containing either sodium chloride or potassium chloride (salt.) When the system goes through a regeneration cycle, the brine solution flushes the resin bead tank in order to recharge the beads with ions for exchange.
This does not cause the water to become salty water. Tiny amounts of sodium are released into drinking water during ion exchange, usually much less than you would find in a slice of bread. Salt is an indirect ingredient in the water softening process, which keeps the resin beads exchanging ions as they should.
Are There Side Effects of Drinking Softened Water?
You may be wondering about side effects of drinking softened water. You may worry that the water is salty or in some way unsafe to drink. Softened water is not the same as seawater. The sodium content is very low, even when ions have been added in exchange for calcium and magnesium.
Softened water typically contains less than 50mg of sodium per liter, depending on the initial hardness of the water. A slice of bread may contain up to 200mg of sodium, and even a glass of milk can contain around 120mg.
For most people, the sodium in softened water is unlikely to have any impact on health. However, those on a low sodium or salt-restricted diet may need to exercise caution. You may wish to consider a bypass tap which will allow access to hard water for drinking, even when the rest of the house receives soft water for showering or bathing.
Or you could consider using potassium chloride in the softening system, rather than sodium chloride. There are options that still allow you most or all of the benefits of softened water, and the team at Aqua Clear Water Systems are well-positioned to help you find the right one for you.
Softened water can improve your quality of life and your bank balance by preventing limescale and protecting your appliances. There are minimal side effects to its consumption, and these can be managed simply if sodium is a medical concern for you.
Why Does my Water Taste Salty?
It is possible for water softeners to produce water that tastes salty – however, this isn’t normal and probably reflects an error somewhere. Let’s go through how to fix a salty water taste from your water softener.
There are three common causes to salty water coming from your water softener:
- Regeneration cycle settings need adjustment.
- Clogged drain line from resin bead tank.
- Too much salt in your brine tank.
If you’re in any doubt, contact your installer or system technician for advice. However, you can check the settings on your water system fairly easily and adjust these according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You may also need to check your brine tank for its salt content, again following your manufacturer’s instructions to ensure no damage to the system.
What Happens if I Stop Putting Salt in My Water Softener?
If you are concerned about salt intake, you might consider simply stopping adding salt to your water softener. However, without salt, the system cannot recharge properly so will stop performing its function. It won’t soften your water anymore and you will face the same problems with hard water as you had before. These can include unsightly scale, appliance damage and plumbing corrosion.
The system will not break down immediately if it runs out of salt, so don’t worry about those odd times you might forget to top it up. But it’s important to know that without salt, the system cannot function effectively, so don’t deliberately stop putting salt in your water softener.
Are There Alternatives to Sodium-Based Systems?
There are effective alternatives to the traditional sodium-based water softening systems.
H3: Potassium Chloride Softeners
These are nearly identical to sodium-based systems, except that they use potassium for the ion exchange. These softeners produce soft water with no added sodium, making them safe for those medically restricted from consuming sodium and minimizing the chance of water that tastes salty. However, potassium salt is a little more expensive than sodium, and it can be dangerous to those with kidney problems, who should consult their physician before choosing a water softener.
H3: Salt-Free Systems
Instead of removing calcium and magnesium, these systems condition the minerals present in water to prevent scale building up in pipes and appliances. They are a very environmentally friendly system and require minimal maintenance as there is no need to remember to add salt.
However, the water isn’t truly softened, and you will still experience the ‘dryness’ associated with hard water as well as soap not lathering properly. It prevents scale but doesn’t fully solve the problems of hard water.
Conclusion: The Truth About Salt and Water Softeners
Water softening systems add very little sodium to water, even after ion exchange has taken place. It is safe for the majority of households and consumers. Of course, if you have genuine health concerns then you shouldn’t hesitate to discuss matters with your physician.
You may worry about softened water tasting salty, but this reflects a maintenance issue and is not normal operation. You can consult Aqua Clear Water Systems at any point in your water softening journey. We will be happy to advise on installation, maintenance and troubleshooting, and can help you find the best water softening solution for you.
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