Function

• Water softeners work by pulling water into a tank, where it is treated with resin beads. Softeners do not filter household water, nor treat any contamination within the water. Resin beads impart a small amount of sodium into the water, which removes the ability of minerals such as calcium and magnesium to flow into the household water. The sodium replaces these minerals, allowing the water to feel softer, and as the water texture changes, the need to use as much detergent will diminish. Softer water is better for water-consuming appliances such as water heaters, which often break down due to large amounts of mineral scale in the tank.
  
  

Sodium in Water

• As the market for water treatment has gotten tougher, with other household water treatments becoming more viable, information about drinking softened water has changed. Many people are concerned about the amount of sodium present in softened water. The EPA caps the amount of sodium granules at 150 parts per million (PPM), though very hard water will be treated to replace up to 220 PPM of minerals with sodium.
  
  

Removing Sodium After Treatment

• The amount of sodium present in softened water could potentially pose a problem over time, and it is advised that those who live in an area with extremely high mineral content in the water should use a reverse osmosis treatment at the kitchen sink. Reverse osmosis removes the sodium from the softener, as well as providing additional filtration.
  
  

Lead Levels

• Drinking softened water has, however, been shown to leach lead out of pipes in the house. Those drinking highly softened water in a home with lead pipes could be at risk for lead poisoning over time. In 1986, lead drinking pipes were banned in houses, but some copper pipes are soldered with lead, adding an additional risk to drinking water. Households with children or pregnant women should have their drinking water tested for lead levels in the water. In most cases, the amount of lead leached from pipes is small, though lead tests are available for a small fee.
  
  

Reverse Osmosis

• For those concerned with sodium and small amounts of lead in the water, reverse osmosis may provide additional safeguards by filtering the water and removing mineral scale without the use of sodium. Reverse osmosis systems can be expensive, however, running from $500 to $1,000 for some household systems. The short-term cost can be offset by using large cooler bottles and refilling at reverse osmosis stations located in many supermarkets. The bottles can be washed and reused, preventing the disposal problems bottled water has posed in the past.