Soft Water Myths

HARD FACTS ABOUT SOFT WATER      

Despite the many problems hard water can cause—like clogged pipes, soap residue on bathroom fixtures and inefficient water heater operation—many Americans still use hard water in their homes. Why? Because of several common myths perpetuated about soft water;

Myth #1: You can't drink soft water. Although many people believe soft water should not be consumed as drinking water because of the sodium content, less than 10 percent of daily sodium intake comes from sodium in water. There are 150 mg of sodium in two quarts of soft water (10 grains hardness softened to 0 grains) as opposed to 280 mg in two quarts of cola and 960 mg in the same amount of milk- However, if this small amount of sodium in soft water is of concern, a drinking water filter system can give you sodium-free drinking water.

Myth #2: Soft water tastes bad. There is a little difference between soft water and hard water when it comes to taste- Soft water doesn't taste salty and, depending on the water source, may even taste better than water straight from the tap.

Myth #3: Soft water has been stripped of important dietary minerals. Some people believe hard water is a necessary source of daily dietary minerals and therefore, don't drink soft water. However, an insignificant amount of minerals is absorbed from any drinking water; food is the primary source for daily minerals.

Myth #4: My water is already softened by the local utility, so I don't need a water softener.  Some water utilities soften their water supply, but only enough to meet the federal government's standard of "moderately hard"' water. Even moderately hard water can cause reduced water flow from faucets, inefficient water heater and appliance operation, and soap residue on bath fixtures. Home water softeners soften water to a level where appliances perform more efficiently and require less maintenance, soap washes away better, cleaning is much easier and detergents produce brighter, cleaner clothes.

Myth #5: Water softeners are too expensive to operate. Actually, a water softener is the only household appliance that can save you money by using it.  Using soft water can reduce water heater bills because it allows the heater to perform efficiently. Soft water also requires less detergent to wash clothes than hard water and even requires less coffee to brew a pot of the same amount with hard water.

Myth #6: Showering in soft water makes my skin and hair feel "slippery." Your first showers in soft water may give you the sensation that soap and shampoo haven't rinsed away.  However, that "slippery" feeling is actually your skin as you are rinsing thoroughly dean. By washing with soft water, skin and hair retain natural softening and moisturizing agents, feeling softer and smoother. With hard water, skin pores clog with soap residue leaving skin dry and hair dull.

Myth #7: Water softeners waste water and salt. Newer models are demand controlled, meaning they recharge only when the softener's hardness-removing capability is low. These models use less water and less salt than manual time-dock softeners which recharge at a preset time whether the system needs regeneration or not. Our computer-driven, demand-control softeners even track and predict household water usage for super efficiency, recharging for the exact amount of soft water needed each day. When you separate fact from fiction, using soft water makes sense.  It saves both time and money in the long run.

Does the Government Assure Me of Safe Drinking Water?

Water Contaminants

Hardness expressed as Grains per gallon (gpg)   

 0- Soft            7- Hard                10.5- Very Hard

Water hardness causes scaling problems in water pipes and hot water heaters.  It also interferes with the cleaning action of soaps and detergents leading to “soap scum.”

 

pH - Water with a pH less than 6.5 or greater than 8.0 can cause corrosion problems in plumbing.  Corrosion not only shortens the life of the pipe, but also introduces dissolved metals into the water which can stain fixtures and pose a potential health hazard.

 

Nitrates  - Excessive concentrations of nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants.  To protect people, a Federal water quality standard of 10 milligrams per liter nitrate nitrogen has been set for human consumption.

 

Iron - High concentrations of iron gives water a metallic taste, stains clothing and fixtures, and may promote the growth of iron bacteria.

 

TDS - Excessive concentrations of dissolved solids causes water spots and crust formation at faucets and can cause gastro-intestinal problems in humans and animals.  Water quality standards have set the limit on TDS at 500 mg/l.

Hints for Homewoners

Gumming Up The Works With Hard Water

 Eighty-five percent of the water in the U.S. is classified as “hard water” and while the dissolved minerals in hard
water, notably calcium and magnesium, do not pose a health risk, they do tend to gum up the works.

Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures
Just as plaque from cholesterol blocks arteries, a substance called lime scale (deposits of calcium and magnesium) forms on the inside of water pipes in homes with hard water. These scale deposits can severely restrict or totally block the flow of water.

Lime scale also builds up on the bottom and sides of gas-fired hot water heaters and on the bottom and sides of gas-fired hot water heaters and on the elements of electric water heaters. It is not uncommon to find 40 pounds of lime scale inside a 10-year-old gas water heater. Lime scale deposits can significantly reduced the effective life of the water heater and cause it to use 20 percent more energy.

Similar increases in energy use and excessive wear may also be seen in dishwashers, coffee makers, and tea kettles - any appliance that uses water.

Water is Easily Softened
Water is soft if it contains no calcium and magnesium and hard if it does. The key is to remove these minerals and flush them down the drain by installing a state-of-the-art water softener.

The effects of softening on water are almost immediately visible. Skin feels slippery in the shower and soft and clean afterward. Hair is lustrous. Small amounts of soap and shampoo produce loads of foamy suds. Glassware emerges from the dishwasher crystal clear. Doing laundry in soft water can reduce the amount of detergent used by 55 percent. An Ohio State University study found that softened water cut the time required for housecleaning from almost four hours to two and a half. Soft water preserves appliances, pipes, and fixtures for many years of service. Less energy is used. And all these benefits come from the installation of a water softener.