Hard water contains higher levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium than others. These minerals can stay behind after water use as a white film or create irritation on your body. If you’re tired of hard water drying out your skin and damaging your pipes and appliances, maybe you’re wondering if treating your hard water with a water softener is the way to go.
But, is soft water safe to drink after it has been treated with a hard water treatment in Round Rock? American Water offers water softening systems that deliver water with fewer of the annoying affects of hard water — and it’s completely safe to drink!
How Does A Water Softener Work?
At a basic level, a water softener runs hard water through a filtration system that uses ion exchange to remove the problematic minerals from the water. The water is run through resin beads that are charged with a sodium ion. These negatively charged ions attract the positively charged calcium and magnesium and remove it from the water.
This leaves water that is free of the calcium and magnesium minerals that can affect taste, odor and feel of your water!
Is Water Safe To Drink After It Has Been Treated With A Softener?
Softened water is very safe to drink. Some people worry about the sodium that is released into the water during the softening process, but these concerns are unnecessary. In general, for every milligram of minerals removed from the water, two milligrams of sodium are released. The amount of sodium that ends up in the water is extremely small.
The only time you would need to be concerned about the amount of sodium in your water is if you live somewhere with a water hardness level of over 400 ppm. If this is true for you, you should install a reverse osmosis system for your water.
This will remove all salts and dissolved solids from your water. You may also want to install a reverse osmosis system if you have any conditions that require a reduction in your sodium intake. Check with your doctor if you are not sure if you have any such conditions.
Do Water Softeners Remove “Good” Minerals?
Water softeners remove certain minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that are natural and healthy for your body to ingest. These minerals are also responsible for water hardness, which can cause scaling on pipes, appliances and fixtures. The softening process typically replaces these hardness minerals with sodium or potassium ions, depending on the type of softening system used.
Does that mean you’re not getting the minerals your body needs? While calcium and magnesium are important nutrients, most people get an adequate amount from their diet. Less than 10% of your daily requirement of magnesium and calcium is sourced from water. The removal of these minerals from drinking water is generally not considered a health issue, as long as you maintain a balanced diet.
Where Can I Find A Great System For Hard Water Treatment In Round Rock?
If you’re looking for great options for hard water treatment, American Water is here to help. We have a wide range of water softening systems, and we would love to help you find the best match. Call us for a complimentary water analysis to start improving your water quality with softened water!
