Ways to Soften Water

Water with a high concentration of magnesium and calcium is considered "hard" and will corrode plumbing fixtures and leave behind a scaly buildup faster than water that is considered "soft." Homeowners with hard water often opt to treat their water, converting it from hard to soft. There are several types of water treatment systems that can be used to soften water.

Salt

Salt water systems are a common way to soften water. In a salt water system the water coming into the house is filtered through zeolite minerals. A chemical reaction occurs during the filtration process, causing sodium ions to be swapped for the unwanted magnesium and calcium. Periodically the zeolite minerals need to be recharged, and this is done by soaking the zeolite minerals in water and salt pellets. A salt water system will include a large tank where bags of softener salt are regularly added. When set on a timer, the salt water system will automatically regenerate or recharge the zeolite minerals.

Magnets

Water that is softened with the salt water system is not recommended for watering plants or for drinking. Over time the recharging may adversely affect a septic system. An alternative for softening water with salt is a magnetizer softener system. Unlike the salt water system, no salt is required. In a magnetizer system, specially designed magnets are strategically attached to the waterlines coming into the building. The water flows through the magnets and filter, where unwanted minerals are pulled from the water. Periodically the filters need to be changed. Unlike a salt water system, the soft water produced by the magnetizer system does not have an unpleasant taste. There is some debate as to the effectiveness of the magnet systems.

Chemicals

If a homeowner does not want to invest in a water treatment system, such as a salt water system, magnetizer or another water filtering system, chemical treatment can be used to soften water if the hardness levels are low. Two chemicals used for softening water in the laundry are Calgon and sal soda. The use of Calgon can negatively impact the environment, due to the high phosphate content. When using sal soda, the chemical forms solid particles when combining with the magnesium and calcium. Unfortunately, the solid particles can cling to fabric, leaving behind a residue.

References

• North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension; Treatment Systems for Household Water Supplies
• National Small Flows Clearinghouse; Water Softener Use Raises Questions for Septic System Owners; 2001
• Magnetic water treatment and pseudoscience

[magician176]

on 11/10/2009 Thank you, I always wondered what I can use other than the salts! 5