Is Softened Water Safe to Drink?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, as much as 85 percent of the United States has what is considered “hard water.” This term is used to denote tap water that has a high mineral content — usually due to calcium and magnesium — and although hard water is considered safe for human consumption, it can cause limescale buildup on your faucet, leave marks on your dishes after they’ve been washed, and can even stain your laundry. That’s why, for many years now, homeowners have been using water softeners and water treatment systems to “soften” their water by removing excess minerals. But, this begs the question — is softened water safe to drink?

And, the answer is a resounding yes. Of course, water softeners would probably not be as pervasive as they are if they made tap water unsafe to consume. All a water softener really does is remove harder ions from the water (calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron) and replace them with softer ions (sodium and potassium). While this transfer of ions can affect the taste of softened tap water by altering its chemical composition, it is completely safe for you and your family to drink water that has been softened.

Expert Advice from American Home Design

For all your questions related to water softeners, filters, drinking systems and more, trust the home improvement experts at American Home Design. We’ve been providing top-notch products and services to homeowners in Nashville, Tennessee, and surrounding areas for more than 40 years and would love to add you to our list of satisfied customers, which is already 40,000 strong and growing.

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