INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A new study released at WQA Aquatech USA shows that water softeners set with appropriate salt efficiency do not harm septic systems and may actually help them, according to a press release.
The Water Quality Research Foundation commissioned Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to conduct independent and scientific testing on the issue in 2012.
The result is an official report, "Changes in Septic Tank Effluent Due to Water Softener Use." Nearly $100,000 was invested for this 18-month study, which included many site visits and the work of numerous trained experts from WQA, NOWRA, regulators and NSF International, stated the release.
According to the authors of the study: "The data indicate that the use of efficiently operated water softeners improves septic tank performance, while the use of very inefficient home softeners may have a negative effect on solids discharge to the drain field and the level of impact will depend on the level of hardness in the water, whether the regeneration waste is discharged to the septic tank and the amount of excess sodium present in regeneration wastes."
In areas with especially hard water, softeners are a necessity for anyone who doesn't want to constantly buy new appliances and replace pipes and fixtures, noted the release.
“Softeners are often the enabling technology that keeps the rest of our houses running effectively by preventing damaging scale build up,” said Dave Haataja, executive director of WQA.
Read the entire press release here.
