Water softener owners

[sawtooth]

I finally took the plunge and ordered a water softener.

When it comes to the install I need to decide whether to soften the drinking water as well. Part of me wants to so I that I can reduce limescale even further from sink tap, kettle, pots, pans, etc.

However some say that they dont like the taste of softened water and that it can do you some harm long term.

Your thoughts please good people.

 

[larmen]

A water softener is more or less the same as a Britta water filter. And people drink that water a lot.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Have always been told you shouldnt drink softened water, and you should have a seperate drinking line (usually the kitchen tap, or a third tap) that isnt softened.

 

[xcore]

I always leave the kitchen/drinking water tap hard and the rest of the house softened, due to increased sodium levels can effect people on low sodium diets.
Im sure it’s fine to drink but I cover all bases.

 

[bobmac]

Have always been told you shouldnt drink softened water, and you should have a seperate drinking line (usually the kitchen tap, or a third tap) that isnt softened.

I have a water softner and I drink the water and it tastes fine

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I have a water softner and I drink the water and it tastes fine

It's nothing to do with taste of the water.

 

[upsidedown]

Grew up on softened water and have one in house I now live in, hard water tastes horrible to me . As for long term health issues, talk to your Dr.

I'd advise leaving an outside tap on hard water as some plants don't take kindly to softened water !!

 

[CliveW]

Hard water is not a problem here North of the border. I did stay in Surrey for a short time in the 1970s and hated the hard water. Scaling kettles, not able to get a lather on soap, and worst of all making the whisky taste terrible. We may have cooler summers, but we have good water and plenty of it.

 

[chrisd]

We had a water softener fitted a few months ago and it certainly changes the taste in tea. We are getting more used to it but probably regret not leaving the kitchen tap unsoftened.

 

[bobmac]

It's nothing to do with taste of the water.

I know, but as I am not on a low sodium diet, the taste was my only concern.

 

[sawtooth]

We had a water softener fitted a few months ago and it certainly changes the taste in tea. We are getting more used to it but probably regret not leaving the kitchen tap unsoftened.

I might give it a miss then. 😧 and live with a furred up kettle.

 

[lex!]

I have had one installed, and I thought that the building regulations were that you do NOT connect it to the drinking water supply. There is supposed to be one tap left unconnected.

Also, if you have an outside tap then this shouldn't be connect to the water softener.

 

[sawtooth]

I have had one installed, and I thought that the building regulations were that you do NOT connect it to the drinking water supply. There is supposed to be one tap left unconnected.

Also, if you have an outside tap then this shouldn't be connect to the water softener.

So does the tap and sink in your kitchen get as scaled up as before or is it slightly better now that at least the hot tap is soft water?

 

[lex!]

Yes, it is better now. But the most noticeable difference is in the bathrooms.

 

[bobmac]

I have had one installed, and I thought that the building regulations were that you do NOT connect it to the drinking water supply. There is supposed to be one tap left unconnected.

Also, if you have an outside tap then this shouldn't be connect to the water softener.

From the United Kingdom Water Treatment Association

Fitting a separate hard water drinking tap is not required by regulation, except in exceptionally hard water areas (above 400mg/l)

http://www.ukwta.org/technology-areas/faqs/

 

[lex!]

Yes, just checked this too. I live in an exceptionally hard area !

 

[Rooter]

Just get the drinking water tap installed and use that for drinking water. Use the softened water for the kettle and cooking etc. We have had water softeners for 10 years now, couldn't live without one round here! I cant drink cold the soft water, but boiled its fine.

 

[sawtooth]

Just get the drinking water tap installed and use that for drinking water. Use the softened water for the kettle and cooking etc. We have had water softeners for 10 years now, couldn't live without one round here! I cant drink cold the soft water, but boiled its fine.

Where do you fill your kettle if it’s not from the cold drinking tap ?

 

[Rooter]

Where do you fill your kettle if it’s not from the cold drinking tap ?

from the normal kitchen mixer tap (soft water). bottom of my kettle is spotless and tea and coffee tastes perfect!

 

[sawtooth]

from the normal kitchen mixer tap (soft water). bottom of my kettle is spotless and tea and coffee tastes perfect!

OK at present I only have one mixer tap in kitchen.

I would have to add a second tap for drinking water when the softener goes in? It sounds like you did.