How To Put A Water Softener If You Have A Septic Tank? (Solution found)

We recommend having your water softener installed to discharge outside of your home’s plumbing that leads to the septic tank. This can include a storm drain or a downspout, either will direct the softener brine away from your septic system.

• Alternatively, an old septic tank can serve as a perfect substitute for a dry well. To convert your existing tank clean your tank and disconnect the outlet pipe, clean it out, and make small holes scattered around the bottom of the tank. Finally, fill up the tank with pea stone attach the water softener drain and your tank is ready for use.

Can I have a water softener if I have a septic tank?

For homes that have a septic system and use a water softener, it’s been shown that efficiently operated water softeners pose no problems to septic tank performance.

Do water softeners ruin septic systems?

Research shows that not only does an efficient, well operating water softener have no negative effect on septic systems but the water softener has a potential to aid it.

What to put in septic tank to break down solids?

Yeast helps actively breaks down waste solids when added to your septic system. Flush ½ cup of dry baking yeast down the toilet, the first time. Add ¼ cup of instant yeast every 4 months, after the initial addition.

Does salt hurt septic systems?

In terms of hurting the physical tank itself, putting salt in it, will hurt it little. In terms of your pocketbook, it will. The purpose of a septic tank, is to collect the solids from your waste. Your urine is practically sterile, but your feces, contains lots of bacteria.

Is Epsom salt OK for septic systems?

While Epsom salt doesn’t cause damage to your septic tank, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should go flushing it into your tank. Many individuals think flushing Epsom salt in their septic tanks will break down waste. While salts can unclog a toilet, the effect Epsom salt has on your septic system will be minimal.

How do I dispose of brine water from my water softener?

How to Dispose of Water Softener Salt

1. Remove the salt from the water softener and place it in a bucket.
2. Sprinkle the salt in an area overgrown with weeds.
3. Save the salt until winter.
4. Dump the bucket of salt into a trash bag.
5. Fill a bathtub with water.

How do I remove sludge from my septic tank?

How to Reduce Sludge in a Septic Tank Without Pumping

1. Install an aeration system with diffused air in your septic tank.
2. Break up any compacted sludge.
3. Add a bio-activator or microbe blend.
4. Maintain the aeration system.
5. Add additional Microbes as required.

How do you dissolve sludge in a septic tank?

One is to inject air into the tank to try and mix the contents and break down the solids. The more common method is to use a mechanical mixer that acts somewhat like a baking mixer where the contents are mixed until they form a slurry that can be withdrawn by the vacuum pump.

What is the best thing to put in your septic tank?

Biological Additives. Biological additives, like bacteria and extracellular enzymes, are the only acceptable septic tank treatment for promoting a healthy, natural bacterial ecosystem, maintaining an effective drain field, and protecting the health of the local groundwater.

Is vinegar good for septic tank?

Baking soda and other common household solutions such as vinegar are not harmful to your septic system. Harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia can disrupt the good bacteria in your septic tank and should not be used as part of a septic treatment.

How many loads of laundry a day are safe to do with a septic tank?

Spread Out Laundry Loads These use less water which puts less stress on your septic system. Regardless of the type of appliance you have, you should still spread out your loads. Instead of doing several loads in one day, consider doing 1 load per day or space out 2 loads if you must do more in a single day.

What happens to urine in a septic tank?

The urine is diverted to a small holding tank, usually located in a basement, while feces still get flushed into a septic tank. Others use small portable urinals to collect urine, Nace says. Moreover, the average person uses more than 3,000 gallons of clean water every year just to remove urine from toilets.

How Do Water Softeners Affect Septic Systems?

Return to the Resources page. Several organizations, including the National Sanitation Foundation(NSF), the Water Quality Association(WQA), and the Small Scale Waste Management Project(SSWMP) at the University of Wisconsin, have conducted research on the relationship between a water softener and a septic system as far back as the 1970s. According to the findings of the research, not only does an effective, properly working water softener have no harmful impact on septic systems, but the water softener may even have the ability to benefit them.

How a septic system works.

When it comes to understanding the components of a septic system, it is beneficial to be aware of any potential affects that your water softener may have on it. A standard septic system is comprised of three components: a septic tank, a distribution box, and a drainfield, all of which are connected by pipes to one another. Septic tanks collect wastewater that passes through pipes from the residence to the septic tank, where solids (sludge) settle at the bottom of the tank and lighter materials float to the top of the tank (scum layer).

As additional wastewater is discharged from the residence, the septic tank empties into a drain field, which collects the water.

How a water softener works.

We will briefly discuss the fundamentals of a water softener now that you are familiar with the fundamentals of a septic system. This will assist you in understanding how a water softener works in conjunction with your sewage system. More information on how a water softener works may be found in our article “How a Water Softener Works.” In order to prevent buildup in your plumbing and appliances, as well as dry hair and skin, discolored clothing and glassware, as well as other home issues, water softeners remove hard minerals from your water.

The resin in the media tank is responsible for removing nuisance minerals from the water so that soft water may be supplied throughout the house.

Salt water is used to clean the resin, knocking off any hardness minerals that have accumulated and flushing them down the drain so that the unit is ready to remove any further minerals that may have accumulated.

Why a water softener can help a septic system function better.

It is a common misconception that using a water softener in conjunction with a septic system may impair the efficacy of the bacteria that your septic system need to function properly. Despite the fact that research undertaken by the University of Wisconsin has revealed that this is not the case. According to the findings of the University, soft water can improve the biological efficiency of a septic tank. The correct quantity of salt in soft water encourages bacterial development, which helps to optimize the septic treatment process.

Another advantage of having soft water is that it allows you to clean with less soaps, detergents, and chemicals. By utilizing only a little number of cleaning materials, you may reduce the likelihood of having to worry about the impact these chemicals will have on your septic system in the future.

Why an efficient water softener will not disrupt a septic system.

The little quantity of wastewater created by the regeneration process and released to your septic tank is sometimes erroneously seen as a source of disruption. One source of concern with regard to water softeners and septic systems is that the amount and rate of brine discharge can cause a septic tank to overflow and cause a backup in the drain field. It was found that brine output from well-operated water softeners (50 gallons per regeneration) did not overflow, according to a research commissioned by the Water Quality Research Foundation and completed in 2012.

Why it is it necessary to have a high performance water softener.

It is critical to understand how the quality of a water softener may have an impact on the performance of a septic system. The debate over whether or not to install a water softener and a septic system is still ongoing, in part because of the prevalence of highly inefficient water softeners. It is possible for improperly running water softeners to generate excessive amounts of brine waste when regenerating more than is necessary, which in some situations might cause difficulties with older septic systems.

That is why it is critical for every home to have a water softener system that is properly maintained and operates efficiently.

Where to look for efficient water softeners.

When it comes to determining the best water treatment for your house, the expertise of water treatment specialists may be quite beneficial. Using a water softener that is integrated with Water Efficient Technology (W.E.T.) can help ensure that your septic system will benefit from the use of a water softener. Water-saving systems that employ W.E.T. use exactly the quantity of salt and water that is required and nothing more, guaranteeing that your home waste is never excessive. More information may be found in our infographic, “How W.E.T.

If you have any further questions about how a water softener may affect the operation of your septic system, you should speak with your local dealer.

Let Us Pair You with a Local Water Expert

Mark Gross offers his thoughts on the subject. Contrary to popular belief, water softener backwash is a nuisance that affects not only septic tanks and drainfields, but even sophisticated treatment systems. Concentrated brine enters the wastewater stream as a slug of 38 to 112 gallons every backwash cycle when the water softener resin is backwashed twice or three times a week, depending on how often the resin is backwashed. As a result, there are two issues. One issue is that the septic tank discharges particles into the drainfield, which can cause the soil to block and the drainfield to collapse as a result of the solids.

• This problem may be solved quickly and easily by routing the backwash brine straight into the drainage field.
• Septic tanks were not employed in the NSF study; instead, complete-mix activated-sludge ATUs were used.
• When the brine layer is reached, the salt water sinks to the bottom of the tank, and the fresh water floats on the surface of the brine.
• Water softener brine-treated septic tanks have been shown to lack the characteristic layers of sludge, scum, and clear zone that are necessary for basic treatment.
• The findings of that study and subsequent studies have revealed that water softener backwash brine can have both beneficial and detrimental impacts on soil dispersion systems.
• This was confirmed by laboratory testing.
• Anaerobic digestion is inhibited by sodium concentrations more than 3500 mg/L.
• Throughout history, salt has been utilized as a preservative and antiseptic by every civilization on the planet.
• This assumption is supported by observation: a field investigation of 18 wastewater treatment systems in Virginia demonstrated unequivocally that nitrogen removal was impeded in systems that received water softener backwash brine (Figure 1).
• Residents who wish to prevent this by diverting the backwash brine away from the septic tank are frequently informed that this will need the cutting of concrete footings and flooring, which will incur a cost in the thousands of dollars.
• There are options for connecting a softener’s line directly to the distribution box or discharge basin.

Given the overwhelming body of evidence demonstrating the harmful effects of brine, as well as the ease with which these discharges can be kept out of septic systems, it makes sense for regulators to require that water softeners be installed in such a way that they do not cause problems for wastewater treatment systems to function properly.

employs Mark Gross, PhD, as a Training Manager in their training department.

He was formerly employed as a professor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. He has more than 20 years of expertise in the subject of decentralized wastewater, having worked as a teacher, researcher, and designer in various capacities.

The effects of water softeners on septic systems

Hard water is defined as water that has significant concentrations of magnesium and calcium. Because groundwater often has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, it is classified as hard water. Because of the multiple issues that hard water can bring in the home, it is not recommended for use. In addition to causing scale buildup in household appliances and pipes, hard water may also cause corrosion in metal surfaces. In addition, the high concentration of magnesium, calcium, and other minerals in hard water makes soap less efficient in cleaning the skin.

• It is possible that the interaction of soap with magnesium and calcium may result in the creation of scum, which can cause clothing to lose their luster.
• Most water softeners work by exchanging ions with sodium, which removes magnesium and calcium from the water in the most effective way.
• Even while this procedure aids in the elimination of the issue of magnesium and calcium, its primary disadvantage is that it raises the salt chloride levels in the water that is utilized in the regeneration process (backwash).
• Approximately 80% of septic system owners are confused whether or not this backwash should be directed to the septic tank.

Water softeners and septic systems

As early as the 1970s, owners of septic systems were concerned about the impact of water softeners on their systems’ ability to perform properly. In response to this, a number of research were carried out in order to study this vital subject. Some of these studies, such as those conducted by the University of Wisconsin and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), have come to the conclusion that water softeners do not represent a substantial hazard to septic systems. That was then, but subsequent research has discovered that water softeners may actually have harmful effects on septic systems, which was discovered a couple of decades after the original research.

• There is a lot of disagreement over how much salt should be added to the water since specialists feel it might cause difficulties with anaerobic digestion in septic tanks, as well as with hydraulic conductivity in the drain field.
• Additional salt in backwash may also contribute to the degradation of concrete septic tank structures.
• Increased salt in the septic tank causes the pH levels to fluctuate, which can lead to the death of the beneficial bacteria in the tank.
• This can be due to the fact that the increased salinity as a result of the backwash causes the septic tank bacteria to undergo a type of metabolic shock, which causes them to die.
• Increased salt levels have also been demonstrated to produce soil swelling, particularly in the presence of considerable amounts of montmorillonite clay, according to research.

If the effluent from a septic tank has an effect on the hydraulic conductivity of soil, the sodium absorption ratio (SAR), which is a measure of how much sodium ions are present in a solution as opposed to magnesium and calcium ions, can be used to determine whether the hydraulic conductivity of soil is affected.

You will require a soil with a SAR of 10 or less if your soil contains 15% or higher clay content in order to avoid hydraulic conductivity concerns. Soils with non-swelling clay can have a SAR as high as 20 without impacting the hydraulic conductivity of the surrounding water.

Mitigating the effects of water softeners

It is still necessary to soften hard water before using it in the house, even if water softeners are related with the negative impacts we have discussed so far in this article. However, there are several measures that may be taken to reduce the influence of water softeners on a septic system’s performance. These are the ones:

1. It is still necessary to soften hard water before using it in the house, even if water softeners have been linked to the negative impacts we have discussed. Water softeners have a negative influence on the septic system, but there are methods that may be taken to reduce this impact. These are the names of the people that are involved:

Conclusion

In most cases, Bio-Sol recommends that you avoid connecting your water softener to your septic system if at all possible. You will not have to be concerned about the consequences of backwash in this manner. When backwash has already done severe damage to the beneficial bacteria in your septic system, you may use our biological additives to replace the bacteria and restore your septic system to peak performance once again. Because the additives are derived from bacteria and enzymes, they are completely acceptable for use in septic systems.

A Tale of Two Systems

The effect of water softening on septic tanks is investigated. Who would have thought that water softeners and septic tanks were so closely related? It has been demonstrated that water softeners used in conjunction with a septic system do not impair the function of septic tanks when they are operated properly. Additionally, a water softener is installed in more than half of all homes with a septic system. But hold on a sec. What exactly is an efficiently functioning water softener, and how may it be used to improve the operation of a septic system?

a quick overview of septic systems Septic systems are commonly used by families in rural locations that do not have access to centralized sewer systems.

Septic systems provide four fundamental functions:

• Wastewater is collected
• Solid materials are separated from the wastewater. Provide garbage with only a partial treatment
• Discharge of treated wastewater into drain fields is prohibited.

Solid materials are separated from wastewater when it is received. Partially treat wastes to reduce environmental impact. Discharge of treated wastewater into drainfields

1. When a DIR system discharges water, it is comparable to one load of laundry, which is well within the capacity of a typical home’s septic system. Because a DIR softener only regenerates when necessary, the system is not burdened with an excessive amount of softening backwash.

1. The discharged solution from a DIR system contains a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in comparison to sodium ions. Increasing the levels of calcium and magnesium in treated wastewater can actually aid to shorten the length of time it takes for treated wastewater to be absorbed in drain fields.

1. Water softeners also assist homes in using up to 50% less soap and reducing total water consumption, hence reducing the overall load on the septic system by a substantial amount
2. And

Providing assistance to your home both inside and outside Septic systems are one of those household systems that just seem to work by themselves without any effort on their part (hey, out of sight, out of mind). However, there are a variety of elements that might have an influence on their capacity to operate efficiently and environmentally friendly. A water softener is less likely than an inadequate septic tank or excessive use of cleaning agents to cause a disruption in the regular operation of your drainage system.

It may be time to upgrade your water softening system.

It is possible to find the most appropriate water softening solution for your domestic water demands using a simple, step-by-step method, which also serves to improve the efficiency of your septic system.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the National Sanitation Foundation, and The Water Quality Research Foundation conducted research that was used to compile this report.

Does a Water Softener Ruin Your Septic System?

A lot of information and misinformation appears to be available on the internet and in the minds of those working in the septic system sector. The age-old question of whether or not dumping the water from your water softener has an impact on your septic system has been answered. Yes and no are the correct answers. Over the years, several investigations have been conducted by various groups, each of which has reached a different result. According to the water softener industry associations, water softeners have no effect on septic system performance.

As you can see, each business is fiercely protective of its territory.

The Effects of Salt

The quantity of salt present in the backwash water is minuscule, according to all of the research I’ve read, and it has no effect on the biological activity taking place in the septic tank. Additionally, modern water softeners are far more energy efficient than their predecessors were. Most current water softeners are programmed to regenerate depending on demand rather than a time clock, which makes them more energy efficient. These designs are equipped with a water meter, which means that they will regenerate every few hundred gallons of metered water, depending on the set hardness.

It is possible to run out of softened water if you use more than the estimated amount of water, and if you use less than the estimated amount of water, you will be squandering both salt and water.

The conclusion reached as a result of my investigation is that the water softener salt has no negative impact on the function of the septic tank.

The Effects of Regeneration Water

The other side of the debate is now presented. Water softeners can utilize between 30 and 150 gallons of water throughout the regeneration process. The average human uses around 50 gallons of water each day, to put this in context: As a result, every time the softener regenerates, it is equivalent to adding 1–2 individuals to the household for the duration of the regeneration. While this may not appear to be a significant amount of additional hydraulic loading, it adds up to tens of thousands of gallons of water that must be treated over the course of the septic system’s life span.

In order for the water softener to regenerate, it must consume a considerable volume of water in a short period of time.

The partially treated water has a large amount of organic matter, which might help to speed the maturation of the biomat.

The Best Solutions

The other side of the debate is now being presented to the audience. Water softeners can utilize between 30 and 150 gallons of water throughout their regeneration process. The average human consumes around 50 gallons of water each day, to put this into context: This means that each time the softener regenerates, it’s like adding 1–2 persons to the household for the duration of that regeneration cycle. While this may not appear to be a significant amount of additional hydraulic loading, it adds up to tens of thousands of gallons of water that must be treated over the course of the septic system’s life cycle.

In order for the water softener to regenerate, it must utilize a considerable volume of water over a short period of time.

As a result of the high organic content in the partly treated water, it might hasten the maturation of the biomat. As a result, water softeners have the potential to cause damage to a septic tank.

Water Softener Adjustment & Maintenance

• Send us your question or comment on how to minimize the negative impacts of a water softener or water conditioner (both in terms of salt and water volume) on septic systems.

InspectAPedia does not allow any form of conflict of interest. The sponsors, goods, and services described on this website are not affiliated with us in any way. Using a Water Softener or a Water Conditioner can have negative impacts on septic systems because of the quantity of salt used and the volume of water utilized. This page includes recommendations on how to decrease the amount of water used and the amount of salt damage to septic tanks and drainfields. We also have anARTICLE INDEX for this topic, and you can use the SEARCH BOXes at the top and bottom of the page to obtain the information you need quickly and easily.

How to reduce the impact of a water softeneron the Septic System and on Groundwater

SALT OR WATER CAN BE ADDED TO THE SEPTIC We discuss the influence and potential harm that (incorrectly running) water softeners can have on septic systems or on the drinking water supply of a building. According to a septic-bacteria microbiologist with whom we spoke, if the concentration of chemicals discharged by your water treatment equipment, such as a water softener, sulphur-odor remover, sediment filter, or chlorinator, is properly adjusted, the concentration of chemicals discharged by the equipment should not harm the septic tank and drainfield.

However, if the water treatment equipment is not functioning effectively, or if it is simply not adjusted appropriately, both the volume of water released by the equipment and the concentration of chemicals or salts emitted by the equipment may pose a threat to the septic tank or drainfield.

• SALT OR WATER CAN BE ADDED TO THE SEPTIC. Here, we discuss the influence and potential harm that (incorrectly running) water softeners can have on septic systems or the drinking water supply of a facility. A septic-bacteria microbiologist whom we consulted said that if the concentration of chemicals discharged by your water treatment equipment, such as a water softener, odor remover, sediment filter, or chlorinator, is properly adjusted, the concentration of chemicals discharged should not harm the septic tank and drainfield. When a water softener system is in full working order, the concentration of salt discharged into the septic system is so low that it is completely safe to the microorganisms that are necessary in septic tanks and drainfield. In contrast, if the water treatment equipment is not functioning effectively, or if it is simply not adjusted appropriately, both the volume of water released by the equipment and the concentration of chemicals or salts emitted by the equipment may pose a threat to the septic tank or drainfield. You can safeguard your septic system from damage caused by water treatment equipment by following the steps outlined in this section.

Reader CommentsQ A

The use of a water softener might cause harm to a drainfield. Water softener regen cycles can flood a drainfield, as we describe in the article above and in this article series, in particular if: a high-frequency regular program or a control malfunction causes the drainfield to flood, or if: salt in the softener regen backwash is toxic to the bacteria that live in the drainfield. Gayman’s investigation on this found that salt in the drainfield was extremely detrimental. It would be ideal if the softener’s effluent could be routed to a separate drywell.

• Joanne, Joanne, it sounds annoying to me as well.
• You must ensure that the steel casing of your contemporary sanitary will is properly sealed to prevent ground water or surface runoff from flowing into your well from any source.
• Examine whether or not your neighbor is releasing wastewater to the surface by contacting your local health agency and building department.
• Another possibility is that the neighbor is discharging closer to the property line than would be allowed under normal circumstances.
• In many areas, it is not permissible to discharge graywater to the ground surface.
• Salts in softener effluent may cause harm to some wastewater treatment systems, according to Gayman, who has conducted significant study to support this claim.
• ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM?
• Someone told me that it helps to break down pete moss.
• You may also read about the impact of salt and soft water on sewers, plumbing, and water heaters, as well as the impacts of softened or aggressive water.

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Septic Tanks-Are There Harmful Effects Of Water Softener Discharges On Household Septic Tanks

Here are the answers to that question, as well as information on the consequences of utilizing a water softener in conjunction with a septic system. It is not true that the regeneration outputs from water softeners represent a threat to septic systems or the leach field. Studies have shown that water softener regeneration wastes do not interfere with the percolation of soil in the septic tank system drain field, but that the polyvalent water hardness cations in the regeneration discharges actually improve soil percolation, particularly in fine-textured soils, as a result of their presence in the regeneration discharges.

The results of this study were published in the late 1970s.

A more recent review of this research report was conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and an expert in on-site waste treatment stated in October 1993 that he “does not believe that the conclusions of the earlier study would change because the chemistry and physics of soils have not changed.” He goes on to explain that he is certain that this effort will continue to be of high scientific quality.

1. These investigations have definitely demonstrated that waste effluents from water softeners do not cause difficulties for septic tanks.
2. The installation has not resulted in any damage or hazard, but it has benefited many households with convenience and financial savings.
3. Even in Montmorillinite clay soils, the states have decided that the discharge of brine wastes from water softening equipment has no major impact on the permeability of soils appropriate for use with soil absorption systems.
4. The addition of salt to a septic system through the use of soft water has been shown to have favorable impacts on the bacteria’s ability to digest waste.
5. In fact, they produce less trash per unit of time and at a slower rate of addition than waste from automated washers.

Several studies by the University of Wisconsin and the National Sanitation Foundation have demonstrated that when the sodium content from the softener regeneration cycle is released into the soil via a septic system, the effect is an improvement in the soil’s percolation rather than a disadvantage.

1. Fred P Miller, Professor of Soil Science at the Department of Agronomy at the University of Maryland, who reached the same result.
2. It has been estimated that the average household uses between 50 and 75 percent less soap than the average professional cleaner.
3. A well-known reality is that many homeowners do not properly maintain their septic systems.
4. Aside from that, having soft or stain-free water on hand makes it easier for the homeowner to keep their materials clean while also reducing the amount of water utilized.
5. Many people are under the idea that water conditioning equipment regenerates on a regular basis and that it adds a significant amount of sodium salts to the waste water.
6. It’s important to note that this is not the case; a typical household of four persons would require softener regeneration around four to five times every week.
7. The septic tank research clearly demonstrates that when water conditioning effluent is released into properly designed private septic systems, there are no negative consequences to the environment.

To soften or not to soften septic tanks is a question of whether to soften or not.

However, with more than 20 million on-site residential disposal systems in operation, this is a topic that many homeowners have questioned.

After careful consideration, the answer is NO – soften your voice with assurance.

An underground concrete or steel tank, placed at a certain distance from the house and below the frost line, collects the waste from the plumbing system of a home’s plumbing system.

The heavier particles sink to the tank’s bottom as soon as the effluent enters, whereas the more buoyant chemicals rise to the surface as soon as it leaves.

An anaerobic process is a bacterial action that takes place in the absence of oxygen, and it is defined as follows: Another vented system operates in a similar manner, but the breakdown is aerobic, requiring the presence of oxygen.

Perforated, loosely linked pipes carry the water to a distribution box, where it is routed to a drainage field by gravity.

Pipes are typically installed in gravel or loose rock beds to improve the dispersion of the water and to prevent clogging.

The opposite side of the coin is concerned with water before it reaches the faucet and includes the water softening system.

Ion exchange resin interacts with the influent water, exchanging sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions, and the process is repeated.

Water becomes “hard” due to the presence of these ions; substituting the calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions results in the water being “soft.” It is important to discharge some surplus regenerant salt (sodium chloride or potassium chloride) in order to fuel the regeneration reaction during the regeneration cycle.

• Assumptions that are incorrect: When softened water became available in the 1970s, a number of counties and states grew worried about the impact it might have on septic systems.
• In the scientific community, it is well understood that bacterial life forms are harmed by environments that contain either too much or too little salt.
• The second source of worry was that the backwash flow rate during regeneration would bring water into the tank at a rate quicker than the tank could cope with.
• In other words, “unprocessed waste water” would be discharged into a drainage field without being treated.
• Based on agricultural studies of irrigation systems with high salt concentration, this assumption has been made about sodium.
• As a result of these beliefs, legislation was established in certain jurisdictions prohibiting the use of softened water in septic systems.
• These organizations carried out extensive research to either validate or disprove their claims.

As a consequence of scientific testing, it has been demonstrated that the assumptions given above are incorrect in their entirety.

Researchers discovered that adding salt to the system improved the bacterial habitat by bringing it closer to the optimum range.

Second, the volume of backwash generated during regeneration did not interfere with the time required for bacterial treatment of effluent, as it was readily contained within the limits of the tank’s capability.

Concerns concerning soil absorption rates and salt concentrations were also alleviated.

Strangely enough, it had a beneficial effect on some soil conditions.

It has long been known that increasing the porosity of clay soils with gypsum, a high-calcium mineral, would be beneficial.

Obviously, this is fantastic news for anyone who has had to deal with discolored dishes or clothes, or who has had to deal with precipitate buildup in pipes as a result of hard water usage.

Homeowners may take use of all of the benefits of soft water without having to worry about it interfering with the effectiveness of their domestic sewage system.

Septic Systems & Water Softeners – PlumbingSupply.com

Here are the answers to that question, as well as information on the consequences of using a water softener in conjunction with a septic tank. It is not true that the regeneration discharges from water softeners pose a threat to septic systems or the leach fields. Recent research has revealed, however, that water softener regeneration wastes do not interfere with the percolation of soil in the drain field of a septic tank system, but, rather, that polyvalent water hardness cations present in the regeneration discharges actually help the soil percolate better, especially in fine-textured soils.

Late in the 1970s, this research was completed.

A more recent review of this research report was conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and an expert in on-site waste treatment wrote in October 1993 that he “does not believe that the conclusions of the earlier study would change because the chemistry and physics of soils has not changed.” Furthermore, he claims to be aware that “this study will continue to be of scientific excellence.” Septic tanks do not experience any issues as a result of the waste effluents from water softeners, according to these findings.

• Currently, the release of water treatment plant effluent to hundreds of thousands of septic tank systems is virtually universal.
• The “Recommended Standards for Individual Sewage Systems” developed by the Ten States supports this finding.
• A septic system that has been supplemented with sodium through the use of soft water has been shown to be useful in the digestion of wastes by microorganisms.
• The wastes from automated washers, on the other hand, are smaller in both volume and rate of addition.

Several studies by the University of Wisconsin and the National Sanitation Foundation have demonstrated that when the sodium content from the softener regeneration cycle is discharged into the soil via a septic system along with other salts such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, the result is an improvement in the soil’s percolation rather than a reduction.

1. Fred P Miller, Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Agronomy at the University of Maryland.
2. In addition to removing the hardness of calcium and magnesium from the water through softening, there are several more benefits to using ion exchange softened water.
3. It also has less biodegradable materials released into the system, which reduces the amount of strain placed upon it.
4. For example, failing to pump the system at the appropriate intervals permits detergent sediments and other solids to be pushed over into the drainage area, resulting in clogs.
5. A significant amount of strain is taken off the septic system.
6. It’s important to note that this is not the case; a family of four would require softener regeneration around four to five times every week.
7. Water conditioning effluent released into correctly equipped private septic systems was found to have no negative consequences, according to the findings of the septic tank research.

To soften or not to soften septic tanks is a question of preference.

Many homeowners have questioned this topic, however, given the fact that there are 20 million on-site residential disposal devices available.

The answer is NO after careful consideration — soften your voice with assurance.

An underground concrete or steel tank, placed at a certain distance from the house and below the frost line, collects the waste from the plumbing system of a house.

This baffle prevents the effluent from backing up and lowers the turbulence of the entering waste.

The waste material is digested and chemically changed by a variety of bacteria existing in the effluent as well as other organisms that have been added into the tank.

An additional ventilated system operates in a similar manner, except that the decomposition is aerobic, requiring the presence of oxygen.

Perforated, loosely linked pipes carry the wastewater to a distribution box, where it is directed to the drainage field.

Generally, pipes are installed in beds of gravel or loose rock to improve the dispersion of the water.

Another aspect of water treatment is the water softening system, which is located before the water is turned on.

Ion exchange resin reacts with the influent water, exchanging sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions, and this process is repeated several times.

Calcium and magnesium ions are present in water, and swapping the calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions “softens” or “decalcifies” the water.

Mistaken Assumptions are made: When softened water became available in the 1970s, a number of counties and states expressed worry about the impact of the water on septic systems.

Bacterial life forms are known to be endangered by either an excessive or an insufficient amount of salt in their environment.

It was also feared that the backwash flow rate during regeneration would inject too much water into the tank, which would cause it to overflow.

As a result, “unprocessed waste water” would be discharged into the storm water drainage system.

Based on agricultural studies of irrigation systems with high salt concentration, this assumption has been made.

Following the implementation of these assumptions, legislation was introduced in certain regions prohibiting the use of softened water in septic systems.

In order to corroborate or reject these assumptions, various organisations did extensive research.

As a consequence of scientific testing, it was discovered that the assumptions indicated above were incorrect.

Researchers discovered that adding salt to the system improved the bacterial habitat by bringing it closer to the ideal range.

It was pointed out that an automated dishwasher would represent a larger threat on these grounds than a water softener would have!

An increase in salt concentration in the tank’s outflow was proven to have no harmful effect on the soil’s ability to absorb water in a standard drainage field.

The softener’s calcium-rich regeneration backwash may also have a beneficial effect on soil percolation if it was discharged into a septic system rather than into the environment.

Softened water is not detrimental to a septic system or drainage field that is running regularly, according to the results of these experiments.

All of the benefits of soft water are available to homeowners without the risk of interfering with the efficiency of their home’s septic system.

How Water Softeners Work

Hard water is generated by an overabundance of naturally existing minerals – namely calcium and magnesium – that exist in the form of positively-charged ions. Calcium and magnesium are the minerals that cause hard water. A common water softener makes use of a resinous “bead” substance that has a negative ionic charge to soften the water. When hard water passes through the softener, calcium and magnesium ions form bonds with the resin and are drawn out of the water by capillary action. Clearly, this softening process cannot continue indefinitely since the resin has a limit to how much it can contain.

Because of their higher charge than sodium or potassium, the hardness ions are no match for the high concentrations of sodium and potassium ions in the brine.

The Research

Three major issues about this discharge have been addressed in recent research: 1. It is well known that bacteria are endangered when their environment contains an excessive or insufficient amount of salt. Because of the greater concentration of salt in the effluent or softened water, it was expected that the bacterial activity in the tank would be harmed or even destroyed. The results showed that there was no detrimental impact on either aerobic or anaerobic bacterial activity. There have been instances where the effect of softened water on bacteria has actually been helpful.

• Researchers discovered that adding salt to the system improved the bacterial habitat by bringing it closer to the optimum range.
• Another issue was that the discharge flow rate during regeneration would introduce an excessive amount of heavy, salt-laden water into the system at an excessively rapid rate.
• This did not cause overflowing of the tank, and the discharge volume (of around 50 gallons each regeneration) was comparable to that of other domestic appliances such as dishwashers and laundry washers.
• According to the results of more recent study financed by WQA, the initial finding is supported.
• Finally, it was believed that the salt brine created by the softener would impair the drainage field’s ability to absorb water and would have an adverse effect on bacterial populations in the drainage system.
• The higher salt concentration in the tank’s discharge was demonstrated to have no adverse effect on a typical drain field.
• When the softener’s calcium-rich regeneration backwash is discharged into the septic system, the discharge has the potential to boost the soil’s percolation capacity (gypsum, a high calcium mineral, has long been used to increase the porosity of clay soils).

All of these issues may be resolved without compromising the health and function of your septic system. Dingy clothing, soiled dishes, and clogged pipes are all things of the past.

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Please keep in mind that the material presented here is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of plumbing-related repairs, troubleshooting, and purchase considerations. This material is intended to be general in nature and may not be applicable to all applications. When in doubt about your ability to accomplish one of these tasks or when you have more concerns about the material offered, seek the advice of a qualified expert immediately. Always double-check local code rules and the appropriate authorities before starting a project of any kind.

Water Softeners and Septic Systems – What You Need to Know

Water softeners may appear to be a viable option for many Lancaster, Pennsylvania residents who want to assure the health and purity of their drinking water. Water softeners work by reducing the hardness of tap water by the use of salt, which creates an ion exchange in the water supply. The generation of the water may be gentler on your digestive system and more beneficial to your hair, but the repercussions of its manufacture can be detrimental to your septic system. Water softening introduces excessive levels of salt into the septic tank, which might interfere with the septic system’s process of soil dispersal, causing it to fail prematurely.

A water softener might overburden your tank and force impure hardened particles into the drainfield as a result of this action.

What Your Septic System Is and Does Solid waste sinks to the bottom of a septic tank, while scum rises to the surface of the tank.

Internally, microorganisms break down the sediments, but the tank eventually fills up and needs to be pumped to remove the waste.

It is possible that the use of a water softener will interfere with this settling process, causing solids and hardened particles to be pushed out into the drainfield, causing serious damage to the bacteria levels in your tank as well as the ability of your drainfield to properly filter waste from the outside.

When it comes to water use in your home, your shower and washing machine are the two greatest consumers, so try to spread out your water usage as much as possible.

Water softener backwash brine is commonly discharged into advanced wastewater treatment systems, and most manufacturers of advanced wastewater treatment systems include terms in their warranties stating that the guarantee would be voided if this happens.

It is a simple and affordable procedure that can help to prevent septic tank and treatment system failure while also ensuring that the warranty remains valid.

When it comes to your septic system, the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is never a wise practice.

Make sure you don’t cut corners while installing a water softener or treatment system, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We provide septic service in Central Pennsylvania on a 24-hour basis, and we are always delighted to assist you!