[Greenbuilding] Question: Water Softeners and Sewer Lagoons

[Keith Winston]

Why would the water softener reduce the lifetime of the pressure tank? 
Isn't it after the pressure tank? Is it backpressure, or chemical 
degradation of the bladder?

Keith

Robert W. Tom wrote:
> On Thu, 07 Sep 2006 12:37:40 -0400, Lawrence Lile <LLile at projsolco.com>  
> wrote:
>
>   
>> An expert at the University of Missouri says that brine from water
>> softeners is unlikely to upset septic tank systems.
>>     
>
> FWIW, in my immediate neighbourhood I observed that those homes with water  
> softeners experienced failures of their well pumps and pressure tanks  
> every 5-10 years and needed to replace their septic fields within 12-15  
> years ...while those without water softeners didn't have to replace their  
> pressure tanks until after 15 years or more and are still using their  
> original septic fields (20+ years).
>
> The "honey man" and all of the septic system contractors that I've  
> quizzed, confirm that my observations are not unique to my neighbourhood.
>
> Some background info:
>
> This area is all rock (Canadian Shield), mostly granite with some pockets  
> of sandstone or limestone in depressions in the granite. Bedrock is often  
> at or near the surface. And lots of dissolved iron too.
>
> Most of the septic fields were of the raised filter media type (ie a 900mm  
> deep bed of graded,washed sand, with 300mm of washed crushed stone on top)  
> in which the weeping tile or chambers are set. Many who are replacing  
> their fields are opting for peat filter systems (ie no septic field  
> required).   http://www.ecofloontario.com/
>
> I don't use a water softener.  I feel that the minerals and iron are  
> healthy.
>
> Where soft water is needed, I use harvested rainwater or condensate  
> harvested from dehumidification.
>
> ===* ===
> Rob Tom
> Kanata, Ontario, Canada
> <archilogic at chaffyahoo dot ca>
> winnow the chaff from my edress in your reply
>
>
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>   

-- 
Keith Winston
Earth Sun Energy Systems
3927 Madison St.
Hyattsville, MD 20781
301-980-6325
keith at earthsunenergy.com
www.EarthSunEnergy.com