If you’ve ever dealt with hard water issues in your home, you’re likely familiar with water softeners—those devices designed to reduce mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances. They make your water “softer” by removing minerals like calcium and magnesium and replacing them with sodium or potassium. This results in smoother water, improved appliance efficiency, and reduced scale buildup. But a common question that many homeowners have is: Can you drink soft water?
In this blog, we’ll explore the safety of drinking softened water, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and everything you need to know to make an informed decision for your family. We’ll also touch on how Pristine Plumbing can help with water softener installation, maintenance, and service in the Treasure Valley area.
What Is Softened Water?
Before we address the question of whether softened water is safe to drink, it’s important to understand what softened water is. A water softener works by using a process called ion exchange. Here’s how it works:
- Hard Water: Water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up as water flows over rocks like limestone and chalk.
- Soft Water: Water that has had its hardness-causing minerals removed through the ion exchange process. In a typical water softener system, resin beads exchange the calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions.
Softened water is often used for household purposes such as cleaning, bathing, and laundry. But when it comes to drinking water, the safety of softened water is a common concern, especially when sodium is involved in the process.
Is It Safe to Drink Softened Water?
Yes, softened water is generally safe to drink. However, there are some important nuances to consider, especially if the water has been softened using sodium.
1. The Sodium Concern
In most water softeners, sodium is used to replace calcium and magnesium. This means that while your water is softer, it may have higher sodium levels than regular tap water. For most people, this amount of sodium is minimal and not a cause for concern. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and the sodium added to softened water typically doesn’t come close to this amount, even in areas with very hard water.
However, if you’re on a low-sodium diet or have high blood pressure, you might want to be more cautious. In areas with extremely hard water, the sodium levels in softened water could add up. For example, if you’re using a water softener that adds sodium for a household with high water usage, the sodium content could be higher than what is typically considered safe for individuals with heart conditions or other health concerns.
2. Potassium as an Alternative
Some water softeners use potassium chloride instead of sodium. This option is ideal for those looking to avoid adding sodium to their drinking water. Potassium is a safer alternative for people on sodium-restricted diets. However, potassium chloride can be more expensive than the sodium version of water softeners, so it’s important to consider your budget if you choose this option.
For people who are concerned about sodium levels but still want the benefits of softened water, a potassium-based softener is a viable solution.
3. Does Softened Water Contain Calcium and Magnesium?
Since a water softener removes calcium and magnesium from your water, the resulting softened water has lower levels of these beneficial minerals. Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients that contribute to bone health and other bodily functions, and many people get a portion of these minerals from their drinking water.
While the minerals in water are beneficial, they are not the primary source of calcium and magnesium for most people. You’re more likely to get the bulk of these nutrients from your diet, including foods like dairy products, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. As long as you maintain a balanced diet, the absence of calcium and magnesium in your drinking water is not typically a problem.
4. The Taste of Softened Water
Another consideration is the taste of softened water. Some people find that softened water has a slightly salty taste due to the sodium ions it contains. While this may not be noticeable to everyone, those who are sensitive to the taste of salt may prefer drinking untreated or filtered water. If the taste is a concern, consider installing a reverse osmosis (RO) system at your kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water. RO systems can remove sodium and other impurities, providing purified water for drinking while maintaining the benefits of softened water for other household uses.
When Should You Avoid Drinking Softened Water?
While softened water is generally safe for most people, there are certain situations where you should be cautious or avoid drinking it altogether:
1. Health Conditions Requiring a Low-Sodium Diet
As mentioned, people who need to limit their sodium intake—such as those with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart conditions—should be cautious when drinking softened water that contains sodium. The sodium concentration can vary based on the hardness of the water and the settings of the softener, so if you are on a strict sodium-restricted diet, it’s best to consult your doctor or consider using potassium chloride instead of sodium for softening.
2. Infants and Young Children
Babies under six months of age should not drink water softened with sodium, as their kidneys are still developing and they are more sensitive to high sodium intake. If you’re concerned about your baby’s water intake, it’s a good idea to use a reverse osmosis system or purchase bottled water for their use. For young children, consider using filtered or untreated water for drinking purposes.
3. High Sodium Levels
If your water softener system is not properly maintained and is adding excessive sodium, it could lead to high sodium levels in your drinking water. For homes with very hard water, this can become a concern. Regular maintenance and periodic water testing are important to ensure the sodium content stays within safe levels.
Alternatives to Drinking Softened Water
If you’re not comfortable drinking softened water but still want to benefit from a soft water system throughout your home, there are a few alternatives:
1. Install a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
As mentioned earlier, an RO system can filter out sodium and other minerals from softened water. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for purified water for drinking and cooking while still enjoying the benefits of soft water for cleaning, laundry, and bathing.
2. Use a Separate Drinking Water System
If you don’t want to use an RO system for the entire house, you can install a separate drinking water filtration system under your kitchen sink. This allows you to enjoy softened water for everything except drinking.
3. Opt for Bottled Water
For those who prefer to avoid softened water altogether, using bottled water for drinking is an option. However, this can be less eco-friendly and more expensive in the long run compared to installing a filtration system.
Conclusion
In most cases, softened water is perfectly safe to drink for you and your family. The sodium levels added by water softeners are typically low and shouldn’t pose a problem for most people. However, if you have health concerns or are on a low-sodium diet, you may want to consider using a potassium-based water softener or installing a reverse osmosis system for your drinking water.
If you’re unsure whether softened water is the right choice for your family, or if you need help maintaining or installing a water softener in your home, Pristine Plumbing is here to help. We offer expert water softener services in the Treasure Valley, ensuring your home has the highest quality water possible.