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6 Environmental Benefits of Using Water Softener Alternatives

Reader Contribution by Miles Young
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If you live in an area with hard water, it seems logical to have a water-softening system installed. After all, no one wants bathtub rings, spotty dishes, or dull-looking hair. However, these systems use salt for the water softening process and can create challenges for the environment, water conservation, and water management. Today, water softener alternatives that use no sodium or potassium in the process represent the latest water technology and don’t present environmental problems.

Healthy Plants and Landscaping

Image via Flickr by Nicholas Lundgaard

If you use softened water on landscaping or plants, the salt from these systems causes a build-up of salt in the soil over time. This high concentration of salt causes a decrease in the oxygen levels in the soil, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t get much rainfall. The soil begins to swell and plants are unable to receive the necessary nutrients to their roots.

As a result, plants eventually die of thirst. Salt rings and yellow tips on grass, trees, and plants are an indication of salt stress. Since water softener alternatives don’t use salt, plants and trees can thrive and be healthy.

Non-Poisoned Soil for City Water Sources

Unlike traditional water softening systems, water softener alternatives don’t poison the soil. When water softening systems are used, salt is deposited in the city’s wastewater from everyday activities like showering, operating the washer machine, and using the toilet. The water that you use is likely the city’s water source for community agriculture and also used to irrigate parks.

Over time, the high salt concentration impedes the city’s agricultural system along with preventing new plants from growing in parks. With water softeners alternatives that don’t use salt, you can help support your city’s endeavors to maintain picturesque parks and its agriculture.

No Harm to the Environment

There’s always an issue of environmental harm with cities that use water softeners. For example, where’s the salt from the water discharged? In many cities, it’s discharged into local streams, lakes, or oceans. The high concentration of salt has a detrimental effect on both fish and plants that live in the water. Water softener alternatives contribute to the life of fish and plants; they don’t require any water treatment before discharge, too.

Conserve Water

Although salt-based water softeners propose to conserve water, they actually use more. When the soil is compacted with salt, it doesn’t absorb enough water like porous soil. The result is that more water is needed to get the best results. With water softener alternatives, there’s no wasted water.

Lower Operating Costs and Less Energy Consumption

Water softener alternatives can save consumers from $100 to $200 a year on salt refill expenses when compared to salt-based softening systems. Since no electricity is required, there’s also less energy consumption. These systems also increase the efficiency of hot water heaters.

Health Benefits

Conventional ion exchange softeners result in salty water with a high sodium content. This can exacerbate health problems for those with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health issues. Since water softener alternatives don’t use sodium, the cardiovascular system is improved and health risks are reduced.

Water softener alternatives are ideal for those who want an eco-friendly solution to salt-based systems. In addition, they’re a good choice in areas where conventional softeners have been banned because of negative environmental impact and for those who prefer to keep healthy minerals in their drinking water. All around, water softener alternatives are a smart choice for consumers.

Today, there are many water softening alternatives on the market for both residences and businesses. Life Source offers a revolutionary water softening product for commercial and industrial applications. Its Scale Solver is a high-performance scale prevention system that’s effective for boilers, water heaters, fixtures, and other appliances.

Technology can be beneficial too. Products like Life Source Water’s home filter system can help homeowners to get better tasting water without using sodium at all. They use high-grade granular activated carbon that filters that water from tastes like chlorine while adding nothing to the water.

Both water softening systems and water filtering systems provide water the way Mother Nature intended. Enjoy all the benefits of both.