Water softeners offer an excellent solution for a wide variety of water problems, from calcium deposits in pipes and stains on appliances, to unpleasant odors and stains on laundry. While the benefits of softened water are clear in most cases, many people are confused about whether or not they should be drinking softened water.
Much of the confusion lies in the way water softeners work utilizing sodium to reduce the hardness in your water. Hard water flows through the softener unit, which is packed with resin beads. These resin beads are coated with sodium ions. In a process called ion exchange, calcium and magnesium minerals are removed from hard water by clinging to those resin beads while the sodium ions are then released into the water and through your home. For this reason, many people mistakenly assume that softened water contains a high level of sodium.
The reality is that the average amount of sodium in a quart of water from a properly working water softener is 75 to 100mg. To put this amount in perspective, consider that the average slice of white bread contains 120mg. While softened water has only a trace amount of sodium, for some homeowners, this is still a concern to have in the water they drink and use for cooking. In these cases, the addition of a reverse osmosis drinking water system to the water softener can provide sodium free drinking water.
Reverse osmosis removes 97-98% of dissolved solids from water. Using pressure, this filter system forces water through a semipermeable membrane, which blocks contaminants while allowing water molecules to flow through. When pressure is applied to a volume of softened water during reverse osmosis, the salt is blocked by the membrane, so only clean water flows through.
Hague offers reverse osmosis systems that feature carefully engineered membranes that are designed to stand up to daily use. They filter even the smallest particles and include additional steps to ensure that the water it provides is both cleaner and healthier. When it comes to effective, efficient, and eco-friendly alternatives to bottled water, there is no better option available.
If you have any questions about how best to treat the water in your home and the benefits of softened water, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact EPA Water Consultants. We are your Greater Philadelphia Hague dealer providing service in towns like Green Lane, Glen Mills and Gardenville, PA.
EPA Water Consultants have been working with homeowners, home builders and businesses for years throughout Pennsylvania to solve multiple water-related problems. Each install is completed by an EPA Water employee as if it was our home – no subcontractors! With our 100% water quality guarantee, EPA Water Consultants will provide the best water available to you and your home or business!