Do Water Softeners Reduce TDS?
Water softeners reduce the hardness of water and make hard water soft.
But do water softeners reduce TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in water?
Water softeners do not reduce the TDS level of water.
In this blog post, you will learn more about how water softeners work and why they can’t reduce the TDS level of water.
Understanding Water Softeners
Hard water softeners are devices designed to remove or reduce the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions—the primary contributors to water hardness.
The most common type of water softener uses ion exchange resin to swap calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, effectively softening the water.
While water softeners are highly effective in reducing hardness, their impact on TDS levels is a subject of discussion.
Why Water Softeners Do Not Reduce TDS?
Water softeners target calcium and magnesium ions, which contribute significantly to water hardness.
As these ions are exchanged with sodium ions in the resin tank, the overall hardness of the water decreases.
However, it’s crucial to note that TDS encompasses various dissolved substances beyond calcium and magnesium.
Water softeners do not remove all dissolved solids, such as minerals, salts, or other impurities that may contribute to TDS.
The ion exchange process in water softeners may contribute a small amount of sodium to the water, thereby slightly increasing the TDS.
If TDS reduction is your primary concern, you should consider using reverse osmosis or distillation.
Click to read: Difference Between Water Softener and Water Purifier
Conclusion
In conclusion, water softeners effectively reduce water hardness by targeting calcium and magnesium ions.
While they may not decrease TDS levels, the reduction in scale formation makes them a valuable solution for households dealing with hard water issues.
Click to read: Hard Water Softeners for Washing Machines
If you are concerned about high TDS levels, other water treatment methods, like Reverse Osmosis, should be considered in conjunction with or as an alternative to water softeners.
