Some ‘Frequently
Asked Questions’ on Water Softening
Q. Where should I install the water softener
A. A typical water softener installation would be sited in the kitchen or near the rising main, with access to electricity and drainage. Modern units will often fit inside a standard kitchen unit. The water softener manufacturer will be able to advise you.
Q. Is a water softener easy to install?
A. Modern water softeners are small enough to fit easily into any kitchen or utility room. An ideal site is near to the incoming mains water supply, with access to a drain and electricity. Members of British Water Quality Water Group are required to install water softeners in accordance with the recognised code of practice. Any plumber who is affiliated to a recognised Trade Association would also be acceptable. The Institute Of Plumbing is a good example.
Q. Can you install it yourself?
A. Provided you are competent and it is done in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, you can install it by yourself. However, it is important to ensure that the softener is working at maximum efficiency after installation, and complies with local water byelaws. If in doubt, contact your supplier.
Q. Do you need electricity?
A. This depends on the type of water softener. Most softeners are fitted with a small electrical system, for automatic control. This ensures that the softener regenerates at the correct intervals and at the correct time. The automatic control consumes about the same amount of electricity as a kitchen clock. Some water softeners operate hydraulically and use mains water pressure as their source of power.
Q. Does a water softener need a specific water pressure?
A. Water softeners work within a wide range of pressures, but a minimum pressure of 20 psi (1.4 bar) is required - refer to the manufacturer's instructions. If your water pressure is excessively high or low, this can be corrected on installation.
Q. Can water softeners be used with a direct high flow rate system now being fitted in the UK?
A. Yes, however you should take the advice of your local softener supplier to ensure a suitable high flow rate model is supplied and correctly installed.
Q. Will installation of a water softener conform to the water byelaws?
A. Providing your supplier installs your softener in accordance with the current British Water Code of Practice for Salt Regeneration Ion Exchange Water Softeners for Direct Connection to the Mains Water Supply, the installation will conform to water byelaws in your area.
Q. Can a water softener drain into a septic tank?
A. Regeneration waste water for a water softener will have no adverse effect on a septic tank, provided both are the right size for the number of people in the family. Softened water can help to reduce the amount of detergent discharged into a septic tank.
Q. Should a water softener be installed to leave a drinking tap which supplies unsoftened water?
A. It is particularly important that all water mixed with powdered milk for babies' feed is drawn from an unsoftened mains tap. This is because powdered milk already contains the right amount of sodium, and very young babies have a limited tolerance for sodium. Anyone on a sodium restricted diet should follow their doctor's instructions. The British Water Code of Practice, which covers all new water softener installations, requires that, where reasonably practicable, a pipe leading to the mains water tap for unsoftened or mains drinking water should be connected directly to the water supply pipe prior to the water softener inlet.
Q. Can a water softener be used with lead pipes?
A. Some of the lead pipework may have to be replaced first. Although lead pipework in hard water areas may not cause a problem it is advisable to replace it. However, soft water (natural rainwater or artificially softened water) in lead pipework systems may cause the pick up of lead. If your lead pipework has not already been replaced, any pipes that carry softened water must be changed. Grants may be available for such renovation of pipework for households with low income. Further information can be obtained from your local authority.
Q. Why not just soften the hot water?
A. This is not economically viable. Although the hot water system would remain scale free, all the benefits of fully softened water would be lost when any cold, hard water was added.
Q. How is hard water softened?
A. To soften water fully the minerals (calcium and magnesium) which cause hardness must be removed.
Q. How is water hardness removed?
A. Water hardness is removed by ion-exchange. Fitting a domestic ion-exchange water softener is the only process specifically designed to remove all hardness completely from your mains water supply. The softened water will also gradually remove existing scale from pipework, bathroom fittings and heating elements.
Q. How much sodium is there in softened water?
A. The average daily intake of sodium form all sources for an adult is 3500mg (9g of salt), but experts advising the Department of Health recommend a reduction to about 2300mg (6g of salt). Many natural and manufactured foods and drinks contain sodium and contribute to this total intake. Typical examples are: two glasses of milk contain 325mg of sodium, and two slices of bread contain 375mg. For comparison, an adult in a hard water area drinking 4 pints (2 litres) of artificially softened water per day would add only 310mg of sodium (or less than 9%) to their average daily intake.
Q. Will softened water affect my central heating?
A. Softened water will prevent scaling. However, if the nature of your local water supply requires it, and if you have an indirect central heating system, a corrosion inhibitor should be used.
Q. Will those who prefer to drink softened water be deprived of minerals necessary for good health?
A. The beneficial minerals necessary for good health come mostly from food in a balanced diet. Neither hard drinking water nor softened water can provide a significant proportion of the daily needs for minerals - for example, a glass of hard water contains only about one tenth of the calcium that is in an equal volume of milk.
Q. Will softened water help dry skin conditions, such as eczema?
A. Many eczema sufferers notice benefits from he use of softened water. Due to the complexity of eczema it is impossible to quantify why softened water helps. Successful reports suggest the following:
Water softeners eliminate scummy soap curd and result in a clean lather which is kind to skin, reducing dryness and itching.
With softened water, the amount of soap used when washing clothes can be greatly reduced. Also pure soap products can be used with softened water in preference to detergents.
Q. Can a water softener be removed and relocated?
A. Definitely yes. It is as easy as removing a washing machine or a dishwasher and can be moved from home to home. In many cases, a water softener has also been known to help sell a property as a result of its protection of the hot water system and bathroom sanitary ware.
Q. Do plants like hard or softened water?
A. It is worth checking with your local garden centre. The level of sodium in softened water may be harmful to some plants. Most indoor plants usually prefer rainwater to tap water. It is an unnecessary waste of softened water to use it to supply a garden hose.
Q. Can softened water be used in an Aquarium?
A. Softened water may be acceptable. If in doubt, check with your local aquatic dealer.
Q. Can softened water be used in car batteries and steam irons?
A. No. Only distilled or deionised waters should be used in car batteries, and they are also best for steam irons.
Q. Is softened water suitable for home brewing?
A. It varies. Naturally soft or softened water is suitable for wine, brown ale, stout and lager brewed from concentrate kits. Home brewers who "mash" may require a special water treatment.
Q. How much does a water softener cost?
A. The cost will vary according to the type and size. Unlike other home improvements, the savings provided by a water softener will produce a payback within 2-4 years.
Q. How can I justify the investment?
A. Most people who have used a water softener would simply say that to wash and bathe in clear, scum-free water is sufficient justification. However, a water softener fulfils many functions and gives substantial savings. The long-term benefits are the reduction in water heating bills and the protection of bathroom equipment and all water-using appliances. On a day-to-day basis, substantial savings can be made on soap products, cleaning materials and especially cleaning times.
Q. What about servicing and maintenance?
A. A water softener is working 24 hours a day. Because there are few working components, its life is much longer than most other domestic appliances. The frequency of servicing or maintenance will depend on the type, age and usage of the softener.
Q. Are water charges affected by installing a water softener?
A. No. Installation of a softener will not affect your water charges or water charges account.
Q. What is hard water?
A. Hard water is water that contains dissolved chalk, lime and other materials. Rainwater is naturally soft, but as it percolates through chalk and limestone it dissolves and collects these minerals. Rainwater which falls on hard rock remains naturally soft. The hardness of the supply of mains water to your home is dependent on where you live and the source (river or ground water) of your mains water supply.
Q. What are the effects of hard water?
A. Scale, scum and tidemarks around the baths and basins. The minerals contained in the hard water settle out as an unsightly deposit of hardness scale whenever the water is heated, or when cold standing water evaporates. Examples of this are:
Unsightly white marks, stains and scale on sinks, baths, toilet bowls and around the base of taps.
Blocked shower heads
Scale deposits on all water heating elements
Clogging of pipe work and premature failure of water heaters
Water hardness also makes it difficult to get a good lather, so much more soap is required for washing. Even after washing, clothes can be left grey and dingy, and dishes and glasses dull or smeared.
Q. Which areas of the UK have hard water?
A. Generally speaking, hard water is present in 60% of the country (especially in the eastern, central and southern areas of England) and to varying degrees in the rest of the UK. The water for some Northern cities is supplied from naturally soft water reservoirs in Wales and the Lake District. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, various levels of hardness occur.
Scotland - Supplies range from soft to various levels of hardness in all areas except for the Strathclyde region and Central Scotland, both of which are soft water areas.
Northern Ireland - soft to moderately soft.
Eastern - soft to slightly hard
Southern - soft to very hard
Western - soft to moderately hard.
This information is taken from "A consumer guide to water softeners" prepared by the British Water Quality Water Group Copyright is acknowledged