Depending on your city or region, it is possible that the water served is very hard. For your personal well-being and for your pipes, the best solution is to install a water softener in your home. For that purpose, you should pay attention to a few specific criteria in order to ensure that it meets your house needs. Indeed, there are different sizes and therefore different offers for different needs. You have two options available: salt or CO2 softeners. Do you want to find a water softener for drinking water? SoluCalc tells you more about the available solutions on the market.
The origin and the effects of limestone
Limestone can turn your daily life into a nightmare : clogged appliances, dry hair, damaged skin, rough laundry, white marks on your taps… The consequences of limescale in your tap water are numerous. But how did limescale invade your home?
The limestone content and quality of the water we consume directly depends on the local geology. During its natural course, the water passes through different types of soil and becomes loaded with the mineral salts they contain. When water passes through calcareous rocks, it is enriched with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3). Then, water undergoes a potabilization process before being sent to our taps. However, the limestone already present does not dissolve, which explains why scale deposits form in your pipes and on your taps.
Now let’s find out about the different solutions for removing limescale. Which water softener for drinking water is the most suited for your home?
The different water softener systems for drinking water
There are 3 water softener systems for drinking water available on the market. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages:
- Salt water softener softens the water with a system that captures calcium and magnesium ions and transforms them into sodium ions. This system is effective in eliminating limestone from water but alters its taste and composition.
- CO2 water softener injects CO2 into the water. It is connected after the water leter, in accordance with the standards in force in your country. The CO2 softener transforms calcium carbonate (limestone) into calcium bicarbonate. Therefore, it does not affect the composition of the water.
- Electromagnetic water softener captures calcium ions and prevents the formation of scale in the pipes. However, its effectiveness is not recognized by the CSTC tests.
What is softened water with a salt water softener?
A softened water is defined as a water free of calcium ions (limescale). In the case of a salt water softener, calcium and magnesium ions are transformed into sodium ions thanks to the ion exchange resin. With the calcium ions gone, your water becomes less “hard” and therefore softer. You can simply check the level of limescale in your water by measuring its pH.
In order to know the level of hardness of your tap water, you must calculate the hydrotimetric title (TH) of the water, i.e. its global content of calcium and magnesium salts. The unit of measurement used is the French degree (°f). One French degree is equivalent to 10 mg/l of limestone. If the TH of your water is higher than 20 °f, we advise you to install a system against limestone in order to benefit from a healthier and purer water every day.
What is softened water with a CO2 water softener?
Unlike the salt water softener, the CO2 system is not an ionization softener. In this sense, it does not transform calcium and magnesium ions into sodium ions. In fact, the CO2 softener does not dissolve limescale in the water, but it does prevent it from becoming encrusted.
The CO2 water softener injects CO2 into the water and transforms calcium carbonate into calcium bicarbonate. This last component is not encrusting and is soluble in water. Therefore, it does not cling to your pipes. But can we drink the water from a CO2 water softener? What about water softened by a salt water softener? Let’s go over these questions.
What is softened water with an electromagnetic water softener?
The magnetic field water softener captures calcium ions with a magnet placed at the base of the water softener system. The magnetic field generated by the water softener prevents the formation of lime crystals. This system is also called a “magnetic anti-scale”, because the magnetic softener does not dissolve the limestone in the water and does not influence the water hardness level.
Can you drink water softened by a salt water softener?
We need to drink at least 2 liters of water during the day. Some of us prefer to drink water from a water bottle, but the disadvantage is that it produces a lot of waste. However, drinking remains important because it keeps you well hydrated. Drinking a large amount of water softened by a salt water softener can cause a series of problems in some cases:
- For people with high blood pressure problems, it is recommended not to drink softened water because it is enriched with sodium.
- A risk of water contamination exists if the disinfection of the resin tank is neglected.
- The taste of water softened by a salt water softener can be inconvenient to some people.
As you can see, drinking tap water softened by a salt water softener is not the best solution.
The best water softener for drinking water: salt-free systems
Water softened by a CO2 water softener such as the SoluCalc is always safe for human and animal consumption, if you have a cat or a dog for example. Whether you have high blood pressure problems or not, the SoluCalc system removes limestone from the water without altering its sodium level. The salt-free water softener does not alter the taste of the water and does not present any risk of contamination.
Therefore, the answer is yes! The water from a water softener is drinking water and you can safely drink it, regardless of your condition.
The magnetic water softener is, like the CO2 water softener, a system that will treat water without altering its ionic composition. Both systems do not use chemicals to operate, unlike the salt water softener. The water treated by the magnetic softener is therefore drinkable, just like that treated by a CO2 water softener.
Your questions about water softener and drinking water
Do you have more questions about home water treatment systems? We take the time to answer them!
Is softened water OK to drink?
As explained above, water treated by any of the 3 water softener systems is safe to drink, in most cases. You must be careful with the salt water softener if you have high blood pressure, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Sodium levels are higher in water treated by a salt water softener, so opt for bottled water if you already have a salt water softener installed in your home.
The CO2 water softener for drinking water, like the electromagnetic system, is safe for the whole family. The potability of the water remains the same.
How to make softened water drinkable?
Don’t want to invest in a water softener system? You can also choose other solutions such as filtering carafes, activated carbon or ceramic beads that purify the water. However, you should know that these solutions do not make the drinking water soft. Indeed, they act as purifiers but do not influence the ionic composition of the water.
What are the disadvantages of limestone-free water?
In addition to the slightly higher sodium content, some consumers of the salt water softener for drinking water system complain about the bad taste of the water. The water treated with the ion exchange system may indeed have a bad taste, which makes it difficult to drink.
Is it safe to drink softened water?
Drinking non-calcareous water is not a problem. If you like the taste of very soft water, you can drink it every day.
Order your water softener for drinking water system online
Would you like to order a water softener for your drinking water? SoluCalc is a CO2 water softener for drinking water systems, which therefore doesn’t change the ionic composition of the water. So you can safely enjoy your drinking water thanks to the SoluCalc system. Order your water softener online and get help from a certified installer to install it in your home!
Want to know more about SoluCalc? Check out our other articles on the subject or ask one of our experts via our website.