Over 20 million American households have on-site septic systems. This number is growing. Many customers ask us questions about the effects of water softener discharge on Best Water Softener Systems. We felt it appropriate to review some of the available information and opinions to provide an overview of current knowledge.
Water Softening Process and the Septic System
The operation of a septic system is simple. The pipes from your home are connected to an underground storage tank. The tank’s wastewater collects the heavy solids and settles to the bottom. The solids are broken down by bacteria in the storage tank. The primary tank is then filled with water that is relatively clear. It is then transferred to a second tank or distribution box. The water then flows through perforated underground pipes to a drainage field.
Water softening is achieved by chemical cation exchange. This replaces calcium and magnesium with an equivalent amount of sodium or potassium. Your household water will pass through the resin bed during softening. The magnesium and calcium in the water are then removed. Each resin bed of the same size has a fixed ability to remove hardness. It must be regenerated to its full capacity to provide softened water. For example, a cubic foot of resin can remove 32,000 grains from your water. The control valve removes resin from the bed when it is close to exhaustion and draws salt-containing solution from the brine tanks through the resin. The process of ionization occurs when salt comes into contact with the resin bed. After this, the calcium and magnesium (hardness) that were collected during operation are drained. The resin bed can be used again to soften water after a final rinse.