Should my drinking water line bypass by water softener system?

guy bono

Hope I am in the right forum (if not, Mods, please move, Thanks). I have a bore well and just about to order a water softener system (the water is hard - 131.7 mg/L). My plumber put 2 water lines into the house so that I could decide to have the drinking water bypass the softener if required - he said that some people like it that way. I am wondering whether this is purely a matter of taste or are there other issues? If i do bypass softener system for drinking/cooking water, how do I deal with scale build up in the kettle? Thanks.

heinbloed

For hygene reasons (bacteria) the drinking water should not be taken from the softening treatment.
There could also be a problem with certain health conditions with softened water beside the hygene situation. Kidney, muscles ... check this with a doctor.

The kettle would have to cleaned now and then.

Soft water for washing purposes can be got for free from most roofs, no need to install chemical treatment plants.

Joey the lips

It varies but why dont you ask the provider of the softner what is suggested. Some softners come with ion gadjets that kill the bactaria etc.

Most of the reason i have seen this done in the past is for taste. The added salt in the softner tastes awful, even in tea.

DGOBS

It would possibly depend on the type of softening system used, for salt softeners an untreated tap is usually provided as the high salt content is no recommended for babies bottles and people who for health reasons shouldn't be exposed to high salt levels

As regards to bacteria, if there is a filtration element this would need periodic replacement due to growth buildup within the filter, uv treatment etc can added also for further treatment

As you have your own supply it would be recommended to have this analysed once a year for safety

DoneDL

Plumber is spot on, potable water should be on a seperate supply. Give the softener company a ring and speak to the technical department.

Joey the lips

Joey the lips wrote: »

..............The added salt in the softner tastes awful, even in tea.

Softened water doesn't have added salt unless the the resin hasn't been flushed properly after regeneration
Soft water doesn't taste great though admittedly, nothing to do with added salt though. The extra sodium won't taste salty, it is there though.

guy bono

hi everyone, thanks for all the input - it's very helpful. going with a UV first as i have some bacteria (!), then one line direct to drinking water and other line via an EPS Ecomix water softener.