Do Water Softeners use more water or increase sewage fee's?

dfarry

The reason I ask is that I am applying for a water meter... my current bill is stupidly expensive!! however in the application pack it specifically states if you have a water softener you must be metered. I couldn't understand why this is so essential... do water softeners use more water or is it because they "pollute" the sewage system with more salt?...

The application mentions something about osmosis as well... I just stick salt in my softener (it's a Culligan) and then it make soft water... I dunno how... are there different types?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers

Dan

Cardew

The water softners do use quite a bit of water to flush away the saline and other chemicals they have extracted from the water. How much depends on how much treated water you use; but it can amount to thousands of litres a year.

Another problem is the treatment of the water that has been flushed away.

dfarry

Wow... I am really surprised by this... I can't say I have noticed any waste outlet... I'll have a look... I'm intrigued now.

moonrakerz

Cardew wrote: »

The water softners do use quite a bit of water to flush away the saline and other chemicals they have extracted from the water. How much depends on how much treated water you use; but it can amount to thousands of litres a year.

Yes ...... and No !

You will find that you will use a lot less softened water in your household than you would unsoftened. This is because there is no limescale that needs scouring from basins/baths/taps etc so you just use less water for general cleaning purposes - a wipe with a damp cloth is usually sufficient.
I would say that it probably balances out over the year.
I have had softeners for years and my water consumption is well down in the average range.

awindup

They can vary from as little as 17 litres to regenerate and as much as 70 so there are different systems . Pay less and they will be the high end.. that also means the salt usage is considerably higher so over a ten yr period you will pay about the same in the end ... Also single systems work harder so twin are the best for reliability . It true some are badly installed and waste water has to be disposed if properly in the soil not rainwater gullies . When choosing the total running cost with maintenance , salt, repairs , water meter usage and the up fringe purchase are all important to consider ! Feel free to mail me and if you wish I can put you in touch with someone if you are in the easy midlands limbs area but if you want cheap then he won't be for you. Average costs are 500 single systems and 1400 twins. But with reduced salt and water figures they eventually even themselves out. Biggest savings are in using softened water and it not costing so Kuching in chemicals for cleaning and appliance failure due to limescale.