Is There Sodium in Soft Water and Is it Safe to Drink?

There are no hard questions when it comes to soft water.

Water is considered “hard” when it has a high mineral content, including dissolved calcium and magnesium.  These minerals can dry out your skin and hair. Plus, they can build up inside appliances like washing machines and ice makers – shortening the life of your household investments. 

A water softener can solve a range of hard water problems that are uncomfortable and expensive for your “home health.” But what about soft water and your health? Is soft water safe to drink? You bet it is!

Is There Sodium in Soft Water?

Occasionally, we hear from people concerned that a water softener will increase the amount of sodium in their water. Water softeners add a small amount of sodium to your water, not salt. (Read more about why water softeners need salt to work.) 

Just how much sodium depends on how hard your water is. The harder your water, the more sodium is released because it’s a one-to-one exchange. But even in the worst hard water situations, the added amount would be minimal in comparison to many other things we encounter in day-to-day life.

Let’s run some numbers. Let’s say you have  hard water – measuring more than 15 “grains per gallon.” A water softener will release about 448 milligrams of sodium per gallon of water during the softening process. Installing a water softener will add about 28 milligrams of sodium to each 8 oz. cup of water (448 mg of sodium per gallon = 28 mg of sodium per cup).

Now, let’s put that in perspective. A cup of milk contains 122 milligrams of sodium. That’s more than 4x the sodium in a cup of softened water. Even a plain egg contains about 59 milligrams of sodium, still 2x as much as the cup of softened water in our example.

To be clear, water does contain some sodium naturally - 9.4 mg per cup, on average, according to the USDA.  So, using a water softener will increase those sodium levels slightly.

But overall, the sodium in soft water doesn’t even come close to the amount in many foods we eat daily. You get far more sodium from bread, dairy products, snacks, and other common foods.

Will a Water Softener Remove Healthy Minerals from My Water?

It is a water softener’s job to remove calcium and magnesium from your water to protect your home, hair, and skin from damage. Some people worry they’ll miss essential nutrients if drinking water no longer has these minerals. Here’s the thing – the calcium and magnesium in your water are inorganic minerals that come from the bedrock of the Earth. It’s difficult for your body to absorb and process these minerals directly from your drinking water because they are wrong. But when calcium and magnesium are processed through plants (think veggies and grains), they transform into an organic state that is easier for your body to access.

So, drinking hard water won't do much good when it comes to getting essential minerals in your diet. (But eating your greens will.)  

Your Health Concerns and Soft Water

It’s natural to have concerns about how your home’s water system could affect your health. We agree the water you drink should be the very best kind! 

The good news is that the process used by our Evolve Series water softeners has minimal effect on your health concerns. Any extra sodium in soft water would fall well below the harmful levels. 

If you have a health condition that could be worsened by increased sodium, talk with your doctor. If your doctor expresses concern, you can still enjoy the benefits of soft water while avoiding excess sodium. Consider these two options:

• Bypass faucet: Some people install an extra drinking water faucet in the kitchen. That way, you get untreated water for cooking and drinking, but your other appliances receive the soft water they prefer for their well-being!
• Reverse osmosis (RO) system: An RO system filters the sodium and many other contaminates a water softener cannot remove. With an RO system, like the ClearFlo RO and the certified UltroWater RO, your entire home benefits from the protection of a water softener, and any water you drink goes through an extra layer of purification. 

Whole Home Health and Water Safety

If you’re concerned about the water quality in your home, talk to a water treatment specialist. While you might have considered whether installing a water softener could be a DIY project, a professional can help you get specialized water testing and interpret the results to ensure you're getting the right solution for your situation 

Whether you get your water from a private well or a city water source, testing your water and checking your home water safety is a good idea. An authorized Evolve dealer can design a system that meets your water goals and needs. Contact your local dealer today!