Water softening is a process that aims to reduce the content of calcium and magnesium salts in water. These salts are the main culprits of water hardness and can cause various problems such as limescale in water systems.
In water softening, an ion-exchange bed is used, which converts calcium and magnesium ions into sodium ions. In this way, the water becomes "soft", but importantly, it does not become salty.
Taste of water after softening: Myth vs reality
Although water softening consists in replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, water after softening does not taste salty. The water that we get after softening does not have a salty taste. You can eat it without any problems.
The fact that after using a water softener, the amount of sodium in the water actually increases, but the concentration of chlorides remains the same. The salty taste is the result of the combination of sodium and chloride, and in this case, this process does not occur. There is no chance that softened water will be salty.
Do water softeners affect the quality of drinking water?
It is worth remembering that water softeners eliminate only magnesium and calcium ions from the water. The rest of the parameters remain unchanged. Therefore, if the water before softening was healthy and safe to drink, it will be so after softening.
However, if we want to have thoroughly purified drinking water with appropriate organoleptic properties, we can install a reverse osmosis system or a carbon column. These devices provide an additional degree of purification that can improve the taste and quality of the water.
Water softener failure: Can tap water become salty?
If your household has a water softener, it may happen that salt water flows from the tap. The immediate cause is a device failure and improperly performed regeneration.
In such a situation, the most important step is to immediately contact the specialist or supplier of the device. It is worth knowing such failure possibilities in order to take appropriate action as soon as possible and ensure the safety of water in your home.
What is the taste of water after softening?
Based on the above information, we can confidently say that water after softening does not taste salty. Thanks to this process, we can enjoy soft water without worrying about an unpleasant taste. However, remember that the proper functioning and maintenance of the device is crucial to ensure the quality and taste of water in our homes.
