How to reduce the effects of a Water Softener or Water Conditioner (salt and water volume) on septic systems InspectAPedia® -
How to minimize water volume or salt damage to septic tanks and drainfields
Water softener salt impact on septic tank and drainfield
Water softener regen cycle water volume impact on septic drainfield
How to adjust a home water softener - control settings
How to clean a home water softener
Managing salt in drinking water
How to reduce the impact of potassium permanganate on septic systems
Questions & answers about how to reduce the effects of water softeners on septic tanks or septic systems in general
This article provides tips on how to minimize the volume of water used and amount of salt damage to septic tanks and drainfields.
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At SALT OR WATER INTO SEPTIC we explain the impact and possible damage of (an improperly operating) water softener on septic systems or on building drinking water. See water softener maintenance guide of how to adjust the water softener and how to clean the water softener salt tank at SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS
HOW TO REDUCE IMPACT OF a WATER SOFTENER - How to Reduce Water Softener Effects on the Septic System and on Groundwater
If your water treatment equipment, such as a water softener, sulphur-odor remover, sediment filter, or chlorinator is properly adjusted, the concentration of chemicals discharged by the equipment should not harm the septic tank and drainfield, according to a septic-bacteria microbiologist whom we consulted. He explained that in a properly-operating water softener system the concentration of salt released into the septic system would be so low as to be harmless to the bacteria needed in septic tanks and drainfields.
But if water treatment is not working properly, or if it is simply not adjusted properly, both the water volume discharged by the equipment and the concentration of chemicals or salts discharged by the equipment might be a problem for the septic tank or drainfield. Here we list things you can do to protect the septic system from harm from water treatment equipment.
Adjust the water softener to the recommended settings for the level of hardness of your water supply. (Some water softeners actually monitor water hardness and water usage and will adjust the recharge cycle frequency and salt dose automatically.
Other water softeners require that these settings be made manually. Still simpler water softeners have no automatic recharge cycle and must be backwashed and recharged manually.
See SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS for details of how to do this, but also remember to check the actual hardness of your water supply and to adjust the softer according to the tables and instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Set the water softener operating controls correctly as we discuss at Guide to Water softener Adjustment below. Be sure the water softener backwash frequency and salt dose are set properly for the hardness of your water and water volume usage. See SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS for details.
Don't use a water softener if it is not necessary. Test your water for hardness.
Watch for malfunctioning water softening equipment: if you hear water running continuously in your drain you should track down the source to
a leaky toilet tank, faucet, or malfunctioning water softener, etc.
We have seen a septic drainfield completely flooded by a water softener that stuck in it's "backwash" cycle.
Similarly, if a water softener is not properly adjusted it may use more salt, more potassium permanganate, or other water treatment chemicals than it should. Flushing salt, potassium permanganate, chlorine, or other chemicals into the septic system can cause a problem if it kills off septic tank bacteria or soil bacteria.
Turn off the water softener when the building will be unoccupied. There is no need to recharge the water softener when no water is being used in the home. See Winterize Water Softener & Treatment Equip for the water softener shut-down procedure.
Bypass the water softener when you are watering plants or washing the car.
Some plumbers install a water line direct to an outside faucet, bypassing the water softener for this purpose.
If you do not have a separate water line to an outside hose bib, you can temporarily put the water softener on "bypass" using a push-type control such as the one shown in this photograph.
Remember to push the bypass lever back to softening position after such an outside use of water, lest you forget and clog your pipes with minerals. See Winterize Water Softener & Treatment Equip for details on how to do this.
Use salt alternatives in the water softener: potassium chloride may be an acceptable alternative to normal salt or sodium chloride for problem areas
Use a separate drywell to receive water softener backwash. This reduces the wastewater load on the septic system drainfield or seepage bed. Using a separate drywell to receive water softener backwash, or backwash from any water treatment equipment, also reduces the chances that water treatment chemicals will harm bacteria in the septic tank or drainfield.
Water treatment chemicals such as salt, potassium permanganate (often used to remove a sulphur odor from water), chlorine or other disinfectants will not usually harm a septic system provided that they enter the septic tank in a dilute solution such as that provided by a normal, properly-adjusted water softener.
But should the equipment mal-function or be mal-adjusted, both water quantity and chemicals in water discharged by the treatment equipment might be a problem.
Connect to municipal water supply (if available) so that your water will arrive already properly conditioned and wont' require softening
See water softener maintenance guide of how to adjust the water softener and how to clean the water softener salt tank at SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about how to reduce the effects of water softeners on septic tanks or septic systems in general
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North Dakota Standards for Water Softeners, North Dakota General Authority Law, Chapter 62-04-08, Water Softener Units http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/62-04-08.pdf. "The objective of this chapter is to provide a standard of quality, capacity,
and performance for water softener units. Water softener performance
is to be based upon referee tests procedures described in section
62-04-08-09."
Culligan Mark 10 Water Softener 1994-1998 Installation and Operating Instructions (covering models manufactured after 1995) (1-96) 01881948.pdf available from www.culligan.com
Water Softeners, CMHC, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/wawa/wawa_005.cfm - October 2008. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation acknowledges the contribution of Health Canada to the development of this document. For further questions regarding water treatment and water quality, contact Health Canada at watereau@hc-sc.gc.ca or call 613-957-2991 or 1-866-225-0709.
"Commercial Water Softener Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia) for commercial, industrial and residential application www.ibcwater.com.au (07) 3219 2233
"Non electric water softener,
Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
"Water Softener Twin Tank Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
Our Water Hardness Table used at originated with but was edited and added to from http://www.bestfish.com/tips/110598.html and also from http://www.water-research.net/hardness.htm
Watts Industries of North Andover, Mass., provides its ZRO-4 under counter system intended to target the independent water dealer market.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
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