Water Softeners

[malana-3]

When my property was built (3 years ago) I asked for a water softener to be installed. Just had it serviced and find that softened water is being supplied to the kitchen cold tap. Is this correct, as I believe that it is recommended that you should NOT cook with softened water. I should add that the builder did fit a small drinking water ( lever operated ) tap that does provide filtered raw water. Is my installation illegal or just bad practice?

[The Builder]

I'm afraid I can't see your problem Malana. You're right - it isn't advisable to cook with softened water - but if you have a tap for unsoftened water for drinking and cooking, then that's OK........ isn't it?

[scotman]

I am not an expert on water softeners but I recall that for softeners that operate by ion exchange and use salt to achieve this then it is recommended that you do not drink or cook with it.
I am not aware of any such problem with other types

[malana-3]

Thank you ' The Builder ', I agree with you up to a point. The supply to the raw water tap is via a very small bore plastic pipe ( about 3mm ) and although it's at mains pressure the rate of delivery is rather slow. Drawing off a glass of water is no problem, but it's a bit different when your holding a heavy saucepan of vegetables.

[buildersmate]

Agree with the Builder - that is the way these things are typically installed.
You don't sutely drink the vegetable water, do you? Mine goes down the sink - together with the bit of salt that I put into the cooking water.

[lukey121]

I�m a big fan of water softeners and researched them a lot before I had mine put in. There is absolutely no problem cooking with softened water. And as long as your softener doesn�t exceed 200mg/l you could safely drink it everyday. (although I wouldn�t) In terms of you saying is your installation illegal or bad practice the answer is neither in fact it�s the opposite. The builder did the right thing.
http://www.harveysofteners.com/health-effects- drinking-softened-water/text/in-depth/1003/
( There is far less salt in 8 glasses of softened water then on the average portion of chips)

[lauralane]

Not advisable to cook in softened water? Why ever not? Its absolutely fine, I�ve been doing it for years and years

[Twenty20]

>>>There is far less salt in 8 glasses of softened water then on the average portion of chips

Maybe, but you wouldn't, I presume, be eating salted chips for breakfast, lunch and dinner and in between as well every day, as you would with water for cooking and drinking?

For many people, the amount of sodium (salt) in food is a real problem. Having extra sodium in your drinking and cooking water could tip the balance.

[lukey121]

Great answer.............But....... you wouldnt i presume be drinking 8 glasses of water at breakfast ,lunch and dinner. or would you????