Water is not only a carrier of life, but also a rich source of minerals that are essential for the healthy functioning of our body. Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Chlorine, Fluorine, Zinc, Iron and many more – all these elements are found naturally in the water we use every day.
On the other hand, some of these minerals - especially calcium and magnesium - can contribute to the formation of scale and scale, which can be problematic for our water systems. Therefore, many people wonder if the water softening process demineralizes the water, i.e. removes these minerals.
Understand the water softening process
Water softening is a process where hard calcium and magnesium ions are replaced by sodium ions. This is due to the nature of the water softener, which uses a process called ion exchange.
In this process, the water softener "converts" the calcium and magnesium ions into sodium ions, which do not contribute to scale formation. This reduces the hardness of the water, but does not mean that it is demineralized.
Is water softening demineralization?
The answer to this question is simple: no, water softening is not synonymous with demineralization. The softener water still contains many other minerals that are not removed in the softening process. In this case, only the ratio of these minerals changes - the amount of calcium and magnesium decreases, and the amount of sodium increases.
Although some iron and manganese may also be removed in the softening process, the overall mineral profile of the water remains largely unaffected.
Selection of the degree of water softening
An interesting aspect of the water softening process is the fact that we can control it, i.e. decide on the degree of water hardness we want to achieve. We can decide whether we want to completely remove the hardness or leave a small amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.
Such regulation allows us to adjust the water quality to our needs. Even a small amount of calcium and magnesium left in the water can help maintain a minimum layer of sediment, which can play a protective role in some water systems.
Softened water: the desired minerals are still present
In conclusion, softened water is not demineralized water. Water softening is a process that is mainly focused on reducing water hardness, not on removing all minerals. Therefore, even after the softening process, the water will still contain most of its natural mineral profile.
This means that we can enjoy the benefits of using a water softener without worrying about the loss of valuable minerals that water provides to our body. This is why water softeners are so popular in both domestic and industrial contexts.
