Water Softener Alternatives

3C Plumbing installs and services water softeners to treat water with high mineral content (hard water,) as well as alternative systems that do not require the use of salt.

Alternatives to Salt-Based Water Softeners

While not as effective as water softeners, a number of technologies are available to treat hard water without the use of salt. These include:

• Magnetic Water Conditioning Systems remove dissolved metals from the water by passing the source water across a magnet. By removing the metals, the remaining water is acceptable for drinking, cooking, etc.
   
  • Magnetic water treatment units will not give you the same feel as traditional salt water softeners.
  • Magnetic forces change the molecular structure of your water as it passes through the focused magnetic field.
  • When the water is treated, the lime/calcium no longer tries to attach to the inside of your pipes; instead it is suspended in the water and goes down your drains and back to the earth.
  • People and plants benefit from the natural calcium you receive, rather than getting calcium build up on your pipes and appliances.
• Electronic Conditioning Systems – such as EasyWater, use electronic frequencies to physically change the shape and charge of the minerals in water, which prevents scale build-up.

   
  Please remember that neither of these alternative systems are actually water softeners, that is, they DO NOT change the chemical composition of the water. Opinions vary widely as to the effectiveness of these systems, but it is generally accepted that neither are as effective as a traditional salt-based water softener.


Cy Cadwalader, 3C Plumbing, installs water softener and purification systems like this under-sink Reverse Osomosis water purifying and storage unit.
• Reverse Osmosis Water Filters – effective in eliminating or substantially reducing a very wide array of contaminants, used primarily to treat drinking water in residential applications, it has the greatest range of contaminant removal.
  
  PROs:
  • Very effective for the reduction of a wide array of contaminants
  • Cost effective in the long term, as little as 5 cents per gallon of pure water (factoring in equipment, maintenance and cost of untreated [tap] water)

  CONs:

  • Carbon / sediment pre-filtration needed to prevent membrane fouling
  • Slow process: produces about 15 gallons of purified water per day
  • Requires 3 to 10 gallons of untreated water to make 1 gallon of purified water
  • Since reverse osmosis systems are usually installed at or near the source of drinking water (under the kitchen sink, for example) they do not prevent mineral buildup in pipes.

Learn more: Selecting a Water Softener

If you are thinking about adding a water softener to your home, but this all seems too much to deal with, 3C Plumbing can help. We have the experience to help you determine the water softening / conditioning solution that best fits your needs, which system to select, and the correct size and type of equipment for your application. Call (317) 850-5114 to arrange a free in-home estimate.