What Is Softened Water?

Few people are aware of the differences between hard and soft water. Hard water contains high levels of various minerals, while soft water is much cleaner and purer. Those with hard water supplies suffer disadvantages ranging from low-effectiveness of cleaning products to shorter lifespans for appliances. Fortunately, it is possible to soften your water using simple devices found in any home improvement store. These softeners can be installed using basic plumbing skills and tools.

Characteristics of Softened Water

Softened water is water that contains low levels of minerals and metallic ions, such as carbon, magnesium, iron or aluminum. The softness or hardness of water is measured by the concentration of minerals it contains, represented by parts per million (ppm). One ppm means that there is one milligram of a mineral or metallic substance per each liter of water. Soft water is considered to contain between 0 and 140 ppm.

Sources

Only about 15 percent of water in the U.S. is considered naturally soft. This water comes from sources that have traveled through peat, moss, igneous rock, granite or sandstone. Those materials have low levels of calcium and metal ions, which means that little or no hard substances are absorbed into the water. Water sources that pass through limestone or more porous rocks tend to be harder because they absorb more minerals.

Benefits

While most water in the U.S. is hard, it can be softened using a water softening system. Many people choose to use these systems because of the many benefits softened water has over hard water. First, it does not cause limescale, or any other type of hardened buildup within pipes and plumbing fixtures. This often allows washing machines and hot water heaters to last longer than if they were used with hard water. Soft water also lathers better with soap, which leads to cleaner hair, skin and clothes. Finally, the metallic ions in hard water can cause pipes to corrode, which leads to leaks and other maintenance problems.

How to Soften Water in Your Home

If you have hard water in your home, the best way to soften it is with a water softening machine. These small devices are hooked directly to your water supply and can be regulated to soften water to almost any desired level. Water softeners come in several basic varieties, with ion exchange units being the most common. These systems add sodium ions to your water supply, which react with the substances in the water, forcing minerals and metal ions into a drain line on the softener. Before choosing a water softening system, it is best to use a testing kit to determine what substances are found in your water supply.

Safety of Softened Water

Most medical experts, as well as the World Health Organization, agree that softened water poses no health risks to most of the population. It can be potentially hazardous to sodium-sensitive individuals however. For every grain of mineral or metal removed by a softening system, 8 ppm of sodium are added. Those who are on salt-restricted diets may wish to avoid softened water, or use a softener that doesn't rely on ion technology. This may include a magnetic conditioning device or chemical treatment system.