Water softeners are considered safe for most households by health authorities, but two legitimate concerns exist: first, ion-exchange softeners replace calcium and magnesium with sodium, which can meaningfully increase sodium intake for people managing hypertension or kidney disease, a single liter of softened water can contain 200–300mg of sodium depending on hardness levels. Second, a softener tank that goes uncleaned for years can develop bacterial biofilm; this is preventable with annual sanitization using a food-grade bleach flush. If you’re concerned about sodium, a reverse osmosis drinking water tap alongside the softener solves the problem without sacrificing soft water elsewhere in the home.
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Maintenance Can Prevent Illness
A water softener that’s well maintained and working properly should not pose a health risk to your or your family. Some people have become sick while using a water softener, but those illnesses could be attributed to lack of maintenance or misuse of the system, not to the water softener itself.
The filter in a water softener must be replaced on a regular basis. If that critical task isn’t done when it should be, the filter can turn into a breeding ground for bacteria that can make people sick.
Not using enough salt can allow scale to accumulate. That can reduce water flow and promote the growth of bacteria that can cause illness.
Sometimes people get sick because they go away for an extended period of time and don’t turn off the water softener. Letting a water softener keep running while a house is unoccupied can lead to bacterial growth.
A water softener must be regenerated periodically to get rid of mineral buildup in the tank. A large quantity of salt is required for regeneration. If the process isn’t completed correctly, water that is used for drinking and cooking can have an abnormally high salt content. If the issue isn’t identified and addressed, the high level of salt can raise a person’s blood pressure or contribute to other health problems.
A Water Softener Can Improve Your Quality of Life
If hard water has been making life unpleasant for you and your family, a water softener can be the solution. Like any other system in your home, it must be used correctly and well maintained to do its job. If you take proper care of it, you won’t have to worry if the water softener can make you sick.
Tri-County Water Services can collect a sample of your water, check its mineral content, and tell you if a water softener is right for your home. If so, we can install it and perform routine maintenance. Contact us today at (610) 857-1740 to learn more.
/ Author
Brent D. Hershey
Orenco Rep, Educator
Brent D. Hershey is the owner of Tri-County Water Services, Environmental Design Service LLC, and an Orenco Distributorship in PA. A devoted husband and father of three, he values his family, hard work, and serving others. He enjoys traveling with his family, the outdoors, and discovering new opportunities.
Thanks for explaining just how much we need water softeners to prevent health hazards. My aunt recently found an unused water well near her office and plans to use it regularly. I hope she asks a water treatment company to make the right setup.