Water Softeners Home - operation, maintenance, repair,adjustment.
Water conditioner salt effects on drinking water & on septic systems.
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Water softeners: what is a water softener, how does a water softener work?
What is the impact of a water softener on septic systems?
Water softener salt, potassium permanganate, and water volume impact on septic systems
How to adjust, clean, & maintain a water softener
How to winterize and de-winterize a water softener to prevent freeze damage
How do we managing the amount of salt in drinking water?
Questions and Answers about buying, installing, identifying, maintaining, and repairing all types of water conditioners and water softeners

This water softener (water conditioner) article series explains how to inspect, diagnose, and adjust or repair water softeners or water conditioners. We describe how to adjust the water softener (water conditioner) for proper operation to minimize damage to a septic system, to set the correct salt dose, brine tank water level, and regeneration time. Here you will find answers to just about any question about water softeners, water conditioners, hard water, water treatment & water testing.

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Water Softener suggestions for minimizing the impact on septic systems, and suggestions about salt in drinking water

Water softeners remove unwanted minerals, principally calcium and magnesium,. from a hard water supply (correcting "high mineral content") by using one of several water conditioning or water treatment methods discussed here.

The mineral deposits on the dripping water pipe in the photo at left are evidence of both a protracted leak and hard water. But if a water softener is improperly adjusted, or if it is not working properly, excessive salt or softener backwash discharge, if sent into the septic tank and leach fields, can damage or reduce the life of the septic system.

This document explains what "hard water" is, describes how water softeners work, and tells readers how to be sure that the salt used by most water softeners does not become a problem for people drinking the water nor a problem for the septic system. Where septic systems are already in trouble, we describe how to reduce the load on the septic system by making some changes to how the water softener is used and how its discharge is handled.

Readers should also see WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?, a guide which explains how to extend the life of the septic system by being careful about what goes into it. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted.

Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at "References." This article is part of our series: Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.

WATER SOFTENERS - Water Hardness, the Need for Water Softeners, and their Effect on Septic Systems

LARGER VIEW of the USGS table of water hardness in the United States

Water "hardness" refers to the level of unwanted minerals, principally calcium and magnesium, found in your water supply.

Hard water is an aesthetic issue (poor lathering, spots on dishes) and a mechanical issue (clogged pipes, expensive repairs, poor washing machine performance) but it is not a health concern. Hard water is found only in certain neighborhoods and usually only on private water supplies from a local well or wells.

"Water hardness varies throughout the United States. If you live in an area where the water is "soft," then you may never have even heard of water hardness.

But, if you live in Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Indiana, where the water is relatively hard, you may notice that it is difficult to get a lather up when washing your hands or clothes."--"Common water measurements", USGS - see "More Reading". Municipal water is required by federal law to be treated and tested for sanitation, hardness, corrosivity, and other features.

You may sense that water is "hard" in a building if you find that you can't get a lather in the shower when shampooing, if you find lots of spots on dishes after washing them, poor performance of a washing machine, mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures such as a mineral ring around the tip of a faucet or in a toilet bowl, and mineral clogging of the tankless coil if you make your hot water using such a device.

Photo of hard water effects on water supply piping

Minerals dissolved in "hard" water precipitate out in building plumbing pipes and fixtures where they form a hard calcium/magnesium deposit which can severely clog piping and fixtures.

The photo at left shows a cross-section of scale build-up in a building water supply pipe.

How do we Measure Water Hardness - Table of Water Hardness Grains

Hard water is generally taken to mean water containing minerals over 121 mg/L, micrograms per liter of water, or over 7 grains of hardness per gallon. The following table is based on information from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC.

Hardness of Water Before Treatment	Mineral Content - Hardness of Water
Soft Water	less than 17 mg/Liter - 0-1 grains/gallon
Slightly Hard Water	17.1 to 60 mg/L - 1.1 to 3.5 gpg
Moderately Hard Water	61 to 120 mg/L - 3.6 to 7 gpg
Hard Water	121 to 180 mg/L - 7.1 to 10.5 gpg
Very Hard Water	more than 180 mg/L - over 10.5 gpg

WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS Impact on Septic Systems - US EPA Information

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Special Issues Fact Sheet 3 - EPA 625/R-00/008

Description of the Effect of Water Softeners on Septic Tanks & Drainfields

Home water softeners, which periodically generate a backwash that is high in sodium, magnesium, and calcium concentrations, can affect wastewater treatment processes and the composition and structure of the infiltration field biomat and the underlying soil. However, attempts to predict whether impacts will occur and to estimate their severity are difficult and often inconclusive.

Water softeners remove "hardness" (dissolved calcium and magnesium) through ion exchange processes. Incoming hard water passes through a tank of containing high-capacity ion exchange resin beads supersaturated with sodium. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water attach to the resin beads, replacing the sodium, which is released into the water. The softened water is then distributed for use throughout the house.

Over time, the ion exchange resin beads become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions. When this occurs, the tank must be recharged by flushing with a salt brine solution. Sodium ions reclaim their position on the resin beads, and the calcium and magnesium ions are released into the backwash water. The backwash water then exits the tank and is discharged to the wastewater treatment system. The number of times the tank is recharged and the amount of wastewater generated depends on a number of factors, including the hardness of the water, the amount of water used, the size of the water softener, and the capacity of the resins to remove calcium and magnesium.

The wastewater generated during the recharge phase of the water softening process mixes with other household wastewaters, enters the septic tank, and eventually moves to the soil adsorption field. Studies conducted by soil scientists at the University of Wisconsin and the National Sanitation Foundation conclude that the wastewater effluent generated from properly operating and maintained water softeners will not harm onsite systems that are designed, operated, and maintained appropriately. Specifically, the studies conclude the following:

High concentrations of calcium and manganese in the softener backwash water have no deleterious effect on the biological functions occurring in the septic tank and may, in some cases, be helpful.
The additional volume of wastewater generated (typically about 50 gallons per recharge cycle) is added slowly to the wastewater stream and does not cause any hydraulic overload problems.
. Soil structure in the soil absorption field is positively affected by the calcium and magnesium ions in water softener effluent (Corey et al., 1977).

Regarding the last conclusion, some people have the misconception that the salt brine that enters the ion exchange tank also exits the tank as wastewater. In fact, the influent with its high concentration of sodium ions is very different than the effluent, which has a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. Consequently, the potential for chemical clogging of clayey soil by sodium ions is reduced. The calcium and magnesium input may even help improve soil percolation.

Risk management issues Regarding the Effect of Water Softeners on Septic Tanks & Drainfields

The human health impacts of ingesting softened water are increasingly discussed in addition to the traditional benefits of reduced use of surfactants and plumbing repair requirements. The choice of the homeowner to soften or not to soften will factor into all arguments. Also, the preceding descriptions are predicated on whole-house-supply softening. Today point-of-use devices designed for use with specific features in the house make the traditional advantages and disadvantages less clear.

Questions and Answers & FAQs about Identifying & Repairing Water Softeners or Water Conditioners

If your water softener is not working, see DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS. Additional water softener diagnosis and repair questions and answers are at Questions and Answers about repairing water softeners and at SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS.

Question: Can You Help Identify Our Water Softener Brand and Get an Operating Manual so we can Set the Controls?

Attached are two photographs of our water softener. We do not know what type of softener we have or how to set it. Can you give us a clue to the manufacturer and where we could get a manual?

We are guessing what the different knobs are? We can't seem to set it to run on the timer. We set it to "in service" and the time of day, but it won't run on its own at that setting.

So we have been setting it to regenerate to get it to run manually. We would like to get it to run automatically. We need help. - B.B.

Reply:

I don't know this specific brand for sure but doing some research on stainless steel water conditioner brands I found that

The control head (water softener valve) for your water softener is found in a Chinese unit sold to various manufacturers - you can see the control at http://www.china-water-filter.com/Stainless-Steel-Water-Filter-Housing-17.html and also at http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/357047492/detail.html?s=p
And a similar control head is used on Aqua Maid water systems found at http://www.aquamaidwatersystems.com/Products/SSC.aspx
The stainless steel water conditioner tank and salt tank in your photo are a match for Crystal Quest Water Softeners - see http://www.crystalquest.com/watersoftener.htm

So your unit may be a Crystal Quest or an Aqua Maid POE (Point of entry) water conditioner or water softener similar to their models CQE-WH-01127 or CQE-WH-01128 but with an older control head.

The Water Conditioner Control Valve is the Key to Setting & Using a Water Softener

Water conditioner control valve (C) D Friedman B B

It is the control head or water conditioner "valve" mounted on top of the unit that controls the system's regeneration cycle and salt usage. So that part is key.

Start by looking carefully on all sides and under covers or the control head cover and back for a manufacturer or brand, or if you cannot find any such labeling, you could try contacting local water softener distributors, since your unit was most likely installed by a local supplier.

You can also try contacting the water conditioner manufacturers we list below. Since the control valve on your water softener matches photos of units at the Aqua Maid website I'd start by contacting Aqua Maid and asking for (or downloading) the installation and operation manual for their equipment.

Aqua Maid can be contacted at 3375 Hwy 98S Suite B-1 Lakeland, Fl 33803 Phone: 1-888-925-0213 Fax: 863-665-9595 aqua665@aol.com http://www.aquamaidwatersystems.com/Products/SSC.aspx

Crystal Quest 2130 Northwest Pkwy S.E. Suite - i Marietta, GA 30067 1-800-934-0051 1-770-951-5600 1-800-716-7718 1-770-953-1600 support@crystalquest.com sales@crystalquest.com http://www.crystalquest.com/watersoftener.htm

From just looking at your photo of the control valve I see that you can set

the time of day
the salt dose (that red dial with a center screw
The automatic regeneration frequency (pull out or push in those individual pins that will trip the automatic regeneration cycle as the timer dial rotates under clock control. If your system is not regenerating under control of the valve (control head) then perhaps none of the push-pull pins has been changed to cause the regen cycle to occur.

Question: Water-Rite 740 water softener has brine tank full of water - what's the normal liquid level in the brine tank?

Hi, can you tell me how much water should be in a brine tank of a water rite softener under normal use, now it is full of water all the time, is this normal. I think this will just melt all the salt in the tank all the time. It is a model 740 - M.C., Canada

Reply: you should not normally see liquid in the brine tank unless it's about out of salt

A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem or in this case just what's wrong with your water softener. That said, here are some things to consider:

We don't know specifically by quantity, but in general, you should not see water in the brine tank unless salt has been used up to the last 6-12 inches in the tank. So we suspect that the brine tank float level control valve that sets the water level in the tank is not working properly.

Check the brine refill control valve in your water softener brine tank

The Brine Refill Control Valve device is found in the vertical tube in your brine tank. Typically it incorporates a float, vertical rod, and a switch that controls the water level in the tank during a brine generation cycle. The part is also called the brine refill control valve.

We discuss how the brine refill control valve works and how it may be adjusted at SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS. More photos of this valve are at SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING.

How to fix the brine tank water level

First check the water softener settings (SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS).

Try emptying the brine tank completely, cleaning all the parts, make sure that the brine control valve (the float actuated switch in the brine tank) moves freely up and down, then fill it at least 1/3 full of salt. For details about cleaning out the water softener brine tank see SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING.

Then send the water softener through a manual regeneration cycle (SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS) and watch what happens.The volume of water that is pumped into the brine tank and then out back through the water softener is set by the salt "dose" setting on the water softener control.

If you need to adjust the brine tank refill valve just follow the instructions at Float Adjustment in the Softener Brine Tank
If you need to adjust the salt dose or regeneration cycle frequency on your water softener, see SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS
If the brine tank water level is still abnormally high, see Too Much Water in the Brine Tank - Diagnosis and Cure

The manufacturer of your Water Rite water softener, properly a Water-Right water softener, can provide you with the installation, operation, and maintenance manual for your water softener if you don't already have one.

[1] Water Right, 1900 Prospect Court Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, Tel: 920-739-9401, Website: http://www.water-right.com/ and their water softener manuals are available online at http://www.water-right.com/library/literature/literature_manuals.html

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WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS

Autotrol Series 255 Valve / 460i Water Conditioning Control System, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual, web search 09/01/2010 original source: http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/PDF/Autotrol%20255-460i_Manual.pdf
Aquatell (Nelsen Corporation) produces Autotrol Water Conditioners. Email: sales@aquatell.com Tel: Toll Free 1-866-966-9951 Website: Toll Free 1-866-966-9951 Website: http://www.aquatell.com/
Aqua Maid can be contacted at 3375 Hwy 98S Suite B-1 Lakeland, Fl 33803 Phone: 1-888-925-0213 Fax: 863-665-9595 aqua665@aol.com http://www.aquamaidwatersystems.com/Products/SSC.aspx
Crystal Quest 2130 Northwest Pkwy S.E. Suite - i Marietta, GA 30067 1-800-934-0051 1-770-951-5600 1-800-716-7718 1-770-953-1600 support@crystalquest.com sales@crystalquest.com http://www.crystalquest.com/watersoftener.htm
Culligan System 19 and 23 Water Conditioners (Filament Wound Tank) Installation and Operating Instructions, Cat. No. 00-8816-57 (Printed 6/89), Culligan INternational Company, Northbrook IL. 60062, San Bernadino CA 92402, Culligan NV/Brussels, Belgium, Culligan Italiana SpA/Bologna, Italy, Culligan of Canada, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5K 1A
[1] Water Right, 1900 Prospect Court Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, Tel: 920-739-9401, Website: http://www.water-right.com/ and their water softener manuals are available online at http://www.water-right.com/library/literature/literature_manuals.html
"Scale formation in water heaters and methods of prevention", Krappe, Justus Maximilian, Engineering experiment station. Gas engineering bulletin; no. 6; Research series; no. 74; On cover: Engineering bulletin, Purdue university. Vol. xxiv, no. 3a. June, 1940 (Layfayette Indiana) commonly referred to in some references as "Purdue University Bulletin No. 74" - thanks to researcher Robyn Goldstein for the full citation. LCCN: 40028844 & OCLC: 1038544 - Water analysis, water softening, hot-water supply. 27pages. You can obtain this document through your local library. (full copy file at InspectAPedia 3/31/2010) Purdue B074 can be hard to locate online.
Also Bradford White Corporation (a manufacturer of water heaters) has published excerpts from that document, available at Purdue_B074_BradfordW.pdf
WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS? - what is ok or not OK to flush into septic tanks and drainfields?

WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
  DETECT HARD WATER - how we can detect and measure the hardness of water
  MEASURE WATER HARDNESS - what constitutes hard water & how we measure water hardness
  HOW SOFTENERS WORK - how does a water softener work
  HEALTH RISKS & WATER SOFTENERS - what are the health risks from salt in water softeners? What can be done to totally avoid salt?
  SALT OR WATER INTO SEPTIC - how to adjust the proper settings that control water softener operation, and how to perform water softener maintenance to assure that the water softener is effective in treating hard water, it will avoid wasting water, and if a private septic system is installed it will significantly reduce the chances that a septic system will be damaged by flooding or by excessive salt due to water softener malfunction.
  REDUCE IMPACT of SOFTENER on SEPTIC - suggestions for reducing the impact of water softeners on septic systems and reducing or avoiding salt in water for health reasons.
  SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS - details of how to adjust and maintain a residential or light commercial water softener for proper operation.
  OTHER SOFTENER METHODS - other ways to soften water
  Winterize Water Softener & Treatment Equip - how to prevent freeze damage to water treatment equipment
  Restoring Water Softener & Treatment Equip - how to return water treatment equipment to operation

WATER TESTING GUIDE - how, when, and why to test water for contaminants or other impurities
North Dakota Standards for Water Softeners, North Dakota General Authority Law, Chapter 62-04-08, Water Softener Units http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/62-04-08.pdf. "The objective of this chapter is to provide a standard of quality, capacity, and performance for water softener units. Water softener performance is to be based upon referee tests procedures described in section 62-04-08-09."
Culligan Mark 10 Water Softener 1994-1998 Installation and Operating Instructions (covering models manufactured after 1995) (1-96) 01881948.pdf available from www.culligan.com
Water Softeners, CMHC, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/wawa/wawa_005.cfm - October 2008. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation acknowledges the contribution of Health Canada to the development of this document. For further questions regarding water treatment and water quality, contact Health Canada at watereau@hc-sc.gc.ca or call 613-957-2991 or 1-866-225-0709.
"Commercial Water Softener Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia) for commercial, industrial and residential application www.ibcwater.com.au (07) 3219 2233
"Non electric water softener, Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
"Water Softener Twin Tank Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
Our Water Hardness Table used at originated with but was edited and added to from http://www.bestfish.com/tips/110598.html and also from http://www.water-research.net/hardness.htm
Andress, S., and C. Jordan. 1998. Onsite Sewage Systems. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Civil Engineering Department, Blacksburg, VA.
Corey, R.B., E.S. Tyler, and M.U. Olotu. 1997. Effects of Water Softer Use on the Permeability of Septic Tank Seepage Fields. In Proceedings of Second National Home Sewage Treatment Symposium. Pub. no. 5-77. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
Mancl, K.M. 1998. Septic Tank Maintenance. Ohio State University Extension publication AEX-740-98. Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Columbus, OH.
University of Wisconsin. 1978. Management of Small Waste Flows. EPA-600/2-78-173. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1992. Manual: Wastewater Treatment/Disposal for Small Communities. EPA 625/R-92/005. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH.

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Water Softener suggestions for minimizing the impact on septic systems, and suggestions about salt in drinking water

WATER SOFTENERS - Water Hardness, the Need for Water Softeners, and their Effect on Septic Systems

How do we Measure Water Hardness - Table of Water Hardness Grains

WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS Impact on Septic Systems - US EPA Information

Description of the Effect of Water Softeners on Septic Tanks & Drainfields

Risk management issues Regarding the Effect of Water Softeners on Septic Tanks & Drainfields

Questions and Answers & FAQs about Identifying & Repairing Water Softeners or Water Conditioners

Question: Can You Help Identify Our Water Softener Brand and Get an Operating Manual so we can Set the Controls?

Reply:

The Water Conditioner Control Valve is the Key to Setting & Using a Water Softener

Question: Water-Rite 740 water softener has brine tank full of water - what's the normal liquid level in the brine tank?

Reply: you should not normally see liquid in the brine tank unless it's about out of salt

Check the brine refill control valve in your water softener brine tank

How to fix the brine tank water level

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair