FairyNuff Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Having seen the inside of our hot water tank, we're in the process of putting in a new one, we were discussing the possibility of having a water softener. Speaking to different people and searching the internet I can't find out if you can drink the water after it's been through a salt-based system. Does anybody out there have the definitive answer?Thanks in advanceFairyNuff [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 As I understand it, and from my own experience its not advisable - in practice the water does taste slightly salty and its probably not good for you in the long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickP Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote user="FairyNuff"] Having seen the inside of our hot water tank, we're in the process of putting in a new one, we were discussing the possibility of having a water softener. Speaking to different people and searching the internet I can't find out if you can drink the water after it's been through a salt-based system. Does anybody out there have the definitive answer?Thanks in advanceFairyNuff [:)][/quote]I think you will find that it's advised that you have a separate tap that does not go through the softener for drinking and cooking purposes.Edit 21.01: I have spoken to a couple of friends of mine in the UK who have water softeners, and both have separate taps for drinking and cooking water, hope that answers your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I just brought a water softener back with me after buying one on Ebay in the UK and I was just discussing this with the plumber the other day. He has suggested having a separate tap installed at the kitchen sink that by passes the water softener. He said you can allow the cold water in the main tap to be by passed but the hot water wouldn't so would make more sense to have a separate small cold water tap.By the way, I know no one has asked but I can highly recommend where I got mine from, I am located very close so picked it up myself at the small factory that makes them. Haven't installed it yet so will hold off making an unreserved recommendation but the owner of the factory was extremely helpful and said to phone from France if we have any problems or questions when and/or once installed. Paid just 335 pounds (pound key suddenly doesn't work [blink]) for a 23 litre or 20 person a day one.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Arghhh! I only wrote what I put in bold after editing! What is going on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I will try again, it won't allow me to delete the previous post.I just brought a water softener back with me after buying one on Ebay in the UK and I was just discussing this with the plumber the other day. He has suggested having a separate tap installed at the kitchen sink that by passes the water softener. He said you can allow the cold water in the main tap to be by passed but the hot water wouldn't so would make more sense to have a separate small cold water tap.By the way, I know no one has asked but I can highly recommend where I got mine from, I am located very close so picked it up myself at the small factory that makes them. Haven't installed it yet so will hold off making an unreserved recommendation but the owner of the factory was extremely helpful and said to phone from France if we have any problems or questions when and/or once installed. Paid just 335 pounds (pound key suddenly doesn't work [blink]) for a 23 litre or 20 person a day one.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebaynut Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 We live in a hard water area in the UK (Suffolk) and I installed a water softener approx ten years ago after discovering as you have the state of my HW tank and pipes.It was the best investment I have made in the house. The water is totally transformed with one fitted.In fact we had taken it for granted until just before Christmas when it developed a problem with the electronic regenerator unit.After fitting a new electronic unit all is back to normal, less soaps, shampoos etc used as with the soft water it lathers up with hardly any of the product being required, nicer to bathe in and no build up of lime scale on the taps and inside the tank. If fact I am still using the same emersion heater fitted ten years ago.Regarding having a separate tap for drinking water, this is a must. Don't forget that an outside tap must also be left hard water.This does not mean a special tap, but just plumb your original so it is left hard.Softened water has a relatively high sodium content, so it is best not to drink it or cook from it, and most important that powered baby milk is not mixed with softened water.Apart from a monthly refill of salt tablets at about £5 a bag, the electronic unit is the first expense in ten years we have had.I would never be without a water softner ever again if I was in a hard water area.Please be with out any doubt, you MUST leave your drinking tap hard. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairyNuff Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Thank you for all the responses, it's given us food for thought. [:)]Having lived in soft water areas all my life (west Yorkshire and near Edinburgh) it was truly a shock to come to live in France - crusty taps, furry kettles, lots more shampoo etc. I hope everyone's survived the storm without too much damage. My heart goes out to the poor souls on the west coast of France.FairyNuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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