Have you grown tired of the minerals that build up on your taps and showerheads when using hard water? If you softened your water, would it make the flow of your pipes silky and smooth, more help? Be sure to check out the effects of buying one before you purchase it.
You must first understand how these systems work. Water softening systems eliminate hard minerals like calcium and Magnesium by exchanging them with sodium-ions. This is a procedure known as Ion Exchange. This procedure raises water sodium, and this can cause negative health effects for humans and the environment.
Injecting water that is high in sodium can disturb the delicate balance within ecosystems. Some aquatic species, such as fishes and other marine animals, may even die or suffer injuries. Invasive plants can spread as well. The native plant species are out-competed, and biodiversity is harmed.
It is also important to consider the environmental impact of disposing the brine used in water softening units. A high-sodium solution is brine water. Not properly disposing of the brine will contaminate other water sources and hurt ecosystems.
How can we mitigate the negative effects that home water softening may have on our environment? Use of a water filtration system without an ion swap is one option. Water softening systems that use potassium ions as opposed to sodium ions are another choice. The potassium alternative may be more expensive but is safer for humans and the environment.
It is clear that, in addition softening your water, these devices can cause harm to the environment. To make a wise purchase, one must weigh the positives of a softening water system with any possible negatives.