Can You Use a Water Softener with a Septic System?

January 11th, 2017 Posted in Septic System
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In most cases, those using a septic system for their home are also using a private well for their water supply. Depending on the water in the area, a water softener may be needed for improved quality. There is conflicting information on how these two systems work together. While you can use a water softener with a septic system, there are a few factors you should consider.

Salt and Septic Tanks

Water softeners use salt in their systems that can enter the septic system in the backwash water. This happens during the regeneration process that can happen on a timed or use schedule. Older water softeners may use more salt which can affect the balance in a septic tank. However, newer systems use less salt and the amount released in backwash is minor, making most system safe for the septic.

Water Generation

Another concern with water softeners when using a septic system is the amount of water displaced during regeneration. This can be up to 150 gallons a day, depending on the water softener settings. This can be a large amount of water entering the septic tank at one time, equal to the amount of water used during an entire day by three adults. This can force waste water from the tank into the drain field that is not fully treated, causing issues in your septic system balance.

Septic systems and water softeners can work harmoniously together, but there are some adjustments that should be made. Using a newer model water softener with more efficient functions is one option. To find out the best way to use the two systems together to protect your septic, talk to your local septic service company. They can offer solutions to ensure that you can have the quality water you prefer without harming your septic.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Using a Water Softener With a Septic System

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Septic System
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If you have a water softener at your home or are considering installing a water softener, you may be concerned about the impact the water softener has on your septic system.  Two or three times a week, a water softener goes through a “regeneration cycle” during which it discharges 50 to 70 gallons of water with a high level of saline.  This raises concerns about the effect of the saline on the beneficial bacteria in the septic system and about overloading the septic system with too much water.

A septic tank is designed to hold water for about 48 hours to allow solid material to sink to bottom of the tank and for grease and oil to accumulate at the top of the tank.  The effluent then flows to the leach field where it percolates into the soil.  Placing an additional water load on the septic tank can cause the effluent to move out into the drain field before the solid material and oily or greasy material has fully separated. When this happens, solid material or greasy material gets into the drain field and can clog it.

A lot of waste water entering the tank can also stir up the water in the tank and cause the same problem.  However, the effect of a water softener is about the same as washing one or two loads of laundry three times a week so it should not be a concern unless the septic system is undersized or otherwise subject to other heavy water loads.

The bacteria in the septic tank and drain field are important for they system to operate properly.  When solvents, chemicals, and other such materials kill off too many of these  bacteria, the system can have problems.  Research to dated has shown that the additional saline from a water softener does not harm significant numbers of beneficial bacteria.

If you have any concerns about whether your septic system can handle the additional load imposed by a water softener, schedule a septic tank inspection by a good local sewer septic professional.

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