Chapter and Verse on Health Effects of Drinking Softened Water
Drinking water supplies in the UK are of a very high quality. There is however a considerable variation in the level of hardness, due to regional differences in geology. Although rainwater is naturally soft it tends to pick up minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, as it seeps through the ground. When it passes through soft rocks, like chalk and limestone, it can pick up high levels of these minerals and result in hard water.
Hard water causes many problems: scaling and subsequent loss of boiler efficiency, formation of scum on sanitary ware, increased use of cleaning products and subsequent expenditure, extra household cleaning, aggravation of eczema etc. To remove these problems many people fit a water softener.
Water softeners work by treating the water by ion exchange to remove the hardness minerals and replace them with sodium which does not cause scaling. Water softeners are commonly installed in private and commercial premises and the question is often posed: is the softened water suitable for drinking purposes?
This booklet has been written to explain to consumers the opinions relating to the drinking of softened water and the options available. It incorporates the current scientific, regulatory and industry points of view and advice.
It is divided into the following sections:
