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Reasons Behind Banned Water Softeners in California

Author: Onewater Systems
by Onewater Systems
Posted: Jan 11, 2019

Water softeners work by replacing magnesium and calcium with potassium and sodium. Magnesium and calcium are the minerals that are found naturally in hard water. The exchange of minerals helps in improving the quality of water that is used for washing and bathing. There are softeners that help in improving the quality of water in such a way that there is less soap used and also there is less lime scale formation in appliances and pipes. Nevertheless, lawmakers in various states and especially in California have raised certain concerns in regards to the amount of sodium utilized for softening hard water. The lawmakers in different states are of the view that the high levels of sodium found in soft water can destroy good bacteria in the septic tanks and can also eliminate the ability of a drainage field to absorb excessive water in case a tank overflow with backwash.

The System of Water Softener Ban in California

Banned water softeners in California have been a subject of great concern throughout the state. There have been several laws made and bills passed since the ban has been out in place. There are bills that state that the local water regions have full rights to ban self-generating water softeners in case they are successful in determining that such bans are required for satisfying discharge standards that have been set by the state. Moreover, there are bills that also mandate that the local water regions should come up with an advance notice and they must even hold meetings if they opt to issue bans on self-generating water softeners. One of the main reasons behind the passage of such bills is preventing treated soft water dispensed in the form of waste water from increasing the content of sodium in water supply.

Why Water Softeners have been Banned in California?

One of the most basic reasons behind banned water softeners in California is the fact that chloride and sodium are in no ways environmentally friendly. Salt brine discharge from water softeners can have an adverse effect on water quality in recycled water, groundwater basins and in waste waters. High amounts of chloride and sodium can increase treatment rates while reducing the potential reuse of wastewater for industrial applications and for farming. This high content of chloride and sodium can even impede the potential of wastewater treatment agencies to comply with the standards of discharge related to TDS or total dissolved solids. California has declared chloride as one of the biggest contaminating factors having a major effect on water supplies. The state has set an example by placing a ban on all water softeners that use salt for softening hard water.

Conclusion

Water softeners are specifically designed for removing dissolved minerals like magnesium and calcium from the water that is used for washing, bathing and drinking. Hard water can stain sinks and clothes and can result in lime scale formation in pipes. Water softeners work by replacing magnesium and calcium with sodium ions by making use of salt mixtures. Nevertheless, for the ones who tend to be sensitive to sodium or the ones who do not like to have added sodium in their regular diets, there are different varieties of salt-free water softeners available in the market.

About the Author

One Water Systems of San Diego CA provides the best whole house water filtration systems for your home or office. Know about us please visit our website - onewatersystems.com or call us at : (760) 994-4795.

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Author: Onewater Systems

Onewater Systems

Member since: Dec 04, 2018
Published articles: 1

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