Water Softeners

[Hopkirk]

Apparently when a water softener is fitted they are not allowed to connect it to the drinking water tap (kitchen tap).

Why shouldn't you drink softened water? It can't be because of the salt, as it doesn't actually add salt to the water?

[Mamyalynne]

Well explained in this Q&A

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/interiors/jeffhowell/9924702/Jeff-Howell-is-it-dangerous-to-drink-soft-water.html

[Hopkirk]

Thanks for that.
Annoyingly our water smells a bit chloriney, and furs up the kettle something rotten.
We filter it with a Brita, but after two weeks ago the kettle starts furring again.

[New Judge]

When you have a water softener fitted a "by-pass" is usually included to provide an unsoftened drinking water tap.

[gingejbee]

In addition to the increased sodium ion concentration, the ion-exchange resins inside softeners can support bacterial growths...not really something you'd want to drink without boiling...and the water can also get an unpleasant "flat" or "stale" taste.

[douglas9401]

I find all water soft, unless it's ice.

[Old_Geezer]

It's wet too.

[Atheist]

I think that statistics show that there is a higher rate of certain illnesses in soft water areas. So, the softener industry covers its back by leaving the drinking water supply unsoftened. That's what I think, but not to be taken as authoritative.

[gingejbee]

^^there is a higher incidence of heart-related problems (including heart attacks) in soft-water areas.

[Atheist]

And, of course, Mamy pre-empted me.

[woofgang]

I have got a three way kitchen tap. Softened hot, untreated cold off the main and a third tap that is connected to a cylinder filter fitted under the sink. I live in a very very hard water area and always fill the kettle from the third tap. Kettle never furs up and the water doesn't taste of chlorine. Like this Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation