During our radio program a caller wanted help deciding between a magnetic water softener and one that uses salt.
Salt-based softeners (those that use sodium chloride) actually soften incoming water by replacing hard water chemicals (magnesium and/or calcium) with salt. The salt doesn’t make the water soft. It simply removes chemicals that make water hard.
The process known as ionization isn’t as important as the fact that salt gets the hard out. The side effect is that water softened with salt ends up becoming slightly saltier than before treatment. Potassium chloride is an alternative to sodium chloride. In either case you either end up with more salt or more potassium. You choose.
The level of salt or potassium in “chemically softened water” is not great, but if you are a health enthusiast, have heart trouble or higher than normal levels of potassium, you would be best served to not to drink or cook with the softened water.
Instead, use a reverse osmosis water filter between your drinking glass and your chemically softened water. Actually, if reverse osmosis or distillation was available at a reasonable cost, water softeners, either salt or potassium based, wouldn’t be needed.
Bottled water is another alternative for cooking and drinking. Be careful because many water bottling companies get their water stright from the tap.
There are alternatives to conventional sodium and potassium water softeners known as “magnetic” or “electronic” water softeners.
Here’s what a few experts say about magnetic and/or electronic water softeners:
•Army Corp of Engineers tested two magnetic and one electronic device in 2001. The findings do not support the the manufacturers’ claims regarding the ability of their respective devices to prevent mineral scale formation in hot potable water systems.
A Penn State University professor states “there is virtually no valid scientific data to support any water treatment benefit from magnetic devices.”
Purdue University tested six different magnetic water conditioning devices and compared them to untreated water. Testing lasted for 240 days. It was found that there was “no significant beneficial variation in the physical or chemical water quality parameters measured.”
South Dakota Magnet School of Mines & Technology tested two different classes of magnetic water treatment devices. No difference was seen between raw water and magnet softening.
We rest on our bag of salt or potassium. Decide for yourself.
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