Is Soft Water Safe to Drink?
When it comes to the water in your home, safety is key. You simply cannot risk your family depending on water that poses any sort of danger to your well-being. As you explore water softener solutions and products for your home, examining the safety of your various options makes sense.
While softening your water may be crucial to protecting your pipes and appliances, the process involves a lot of salt. And while this may come off as alarming, rest assured that soft water is perfectly safe for you and your family. Understanding the process will help you find peace of mind.
The Equation for Perfect Water
The increase in your water’s sodium levels depends on the quality of the water coming into your home. Even if you have extremely hard water and rely on massive amounts of salt to soften it, a professional knows how to ensure your water is safe. Achieving the best possible outcome for the water will leave it delightfully soft and safe to drink.
The hard water equation is complex. There are many variables at play in the quest for ideal water. Your home’s water source, budget, equipment options, home size, and your family’s desires all factor into creating an ideal system. Your water professional will play with all of the variables and guide you to the best possible hard water solutions.
And what is the best possible outcome? Water that is safe, drinkable, and soft.
Soft Water FAQ
Here are some of the top questions people ask while exploring water solutions for their homes.
Can I Drink Soft Water?
Generally, yes. The hardness of your water will determine the amount of sodium needed to displace the hard elements in your water. For most water, the amount of salt required to soften the water will leave the water coming out of your tap perfectly safe to drink.
In rare cases where water is extremely hard, your system might require an excessive amount of salt to achieve soft water. In this instance, you will need an additional filtration system to remove the excess salt before you drink the water. If your water is classified as “extremely hard,” this is an excellent point of discussion to bring up with your professional water team.
Will Softening My Water Impact My Health?
For most people in generally good health, the answer is no. In fact, soft water can have health benefits such as improving hair texture and skin clarity.
For people with high blood pressure, the answer is a little more complex. Sodium naturally raises your blood pressure. The amount of sodium in softened water creates an inconsequential increase for most people. However, drinking water with added sodium can have potential health consequences for people with elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to long-term damage to the kidneys, eyes, and heart.
If you have high blood pressure, start by having a conversation with your doctor and your water expert. The solution could be as simple as installing an additional filtration system to tackle the sodium problem.
Will I Like the Taste of Soft Water?
Hydration is extremely important to your health for a million reasons. And, when your water tastes good, you will drink more of it. Enjoying the taste of your water is an important goal when you invest in a water solution.
Taste is personal, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. Your softened water will taste better than your hard water. Magnesium and calcium contribute to a bad taste. Once those minerals are removed, you will notice a dramatic improvement in the taste of your drinking water. Some people are more acutely aware of the taste of sodium from a water softener. If you have a water softener but still don’t like the taste of your water, consult with your water team to add additional filtration to achieve a taste you enjoy.
How Can I Reduce the Sodium Levels in my Water?
While sodium levels in softened water are perfectly safe in almost every situation, some people still prefer lower sodium levels. A reverse osmosis system is a great solution for people concerned about sodium. While it won’t tackle your entire home, it can purify the water that you drink.
Reverse osmosis technology is a wonderful solution for a variety of reasons. The process applies pressure to your water to force it through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane allows water molecules through, but not much else. Trace molecules, including minerals, contaminants, and sodium, are removed from the water. Installing a reverse osmosis system at your water tap will give you pure, clean, sodium-free water that you can drink without concern.
Water is a critical element of maintaining a healthy body. And while it is wise to understand the health and safety implications of softened water, there is no cause for concern. Whether you plan to use a water softener on its own or in tandem with additional filtration or reverse osmosis systems, you can count on safe and healthy water flowing from your tap.
Infographic
Home water safety is crucial. You cannot risk your family’s well-being with water that may pose any danger. This infographic explores the top questions people ask when considering water solutions for their homes.
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