Do I need to use a water softener?
Question:The total hardness of the water from our well is 22ppm ( = 22 mg/L or 1.3 gpg) with no detectable iron. I understand why water sometimes needs to be softened but in particular was wondering if anyone else has heard of certain levels at which water should or shouldn't need to be softenned.
Answers:
I put a water softener on my washing machine line only. hardness was killing my clothes, but the softened water was killing my houseplants - so I made a compromise. :)
Be very careful about water softeners.
The waste discharges of home water softeners systems are also a source of pollution and should not be discharged to the environment. For example, one home water softener may discharge up to 1/2 ton of salt plus other chemicals into the groundwater supplying nearby wells. Disposal into a sanitary sewer or removal by a qualified disposal company are the only acceptable disposal methods. In many cases, less costly and environmentally safe alternatives are available to water softeners, including use of boiler additives to prevent scaling in hot water heating systems; using detergents and bar soaps designed for use with hard water; and annual flushing of heating systems, with or without acid.
I have lived with both and no matter what the contents of your hard water are If I had a choice it would always be to go with soft water. Its better for your food, clothes, hair, and many other things too. As for plants it will kill them and to solve that my grandma has one outside spigot that is hard water and that way has worked for her for over 50 years at that house. Also if you plan to get one from culligans pay cash I have talked with many little old ladies who have use their financing and they have tried to pull one over on all of them. whatever you decide good luck:)
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