Make Soft Water Drinkable: A Guide for a Thirsty Soul
Soft water, which is water that is low in mineral content, is not ideal for drinking purposes. It may cause health problems, taste bland, and even affect your appliances. In this guide, we’ll explore how to make soft water drinkable in a few simple steps.
Before you make any changes to your water, you need to know what you’re working with. Get your water tested to determine the level of mineral content. You can do this by contacting a local water testing lab or by using a water test kit.
Yes, softened water typically contains sodium. Softening water involves removing minerals like calcium and magnesium and replacing them with sodium. This process helps to prevent buildup in pipes and appliances, but it can make the water less desirable to drink.
Step 2: Add Minerals
Once you have an idea of the mineral content of your water, you can start to add minerals back in to make it drinkable. Here are some common minerals you can add to your water:
Calcium Carbonate
Magnesium Carbonate
Potassium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
You can add these minerals to your water using a water softener or by using mineral drops or tablets.
Step 3: Adjust the Taste
After adding the minerals, you may still find that your water tastes bland. To adjust the taste, you can add natural flavorings such as lemon or lime juice, fruit slices, or herbs like mint or basil.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
After adjusting the taste of your water, chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours or until it reaches the desired temperature. You can now enjoy your drinkable soft water.
Risks of Drinking Soft Water
While there are potential health benefits to drinking soft water, there are also potential risks. These include:
Increased sodium intake
Interference with certain medications
If you have a medical condition or take medications, it’s important to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your water.
Alternative Options
While adding minerals to soft water is a popular option for making it drinkable, there are several other alternatives to consider. These include:
Reverse Osmosis System: This system removes impurities and minerals from water, producing pure drinking water. However, this process can also remove essential minerals and leave water tasting flat.
Water Filtration System: A water filtration system can remove impurities and contaminants, but can also leave water tasting flat.
Bottled Water: Purchasing bottled water is an easy and convenient option, but can be more expensive in the long run and creates waste.
Cost Comparison
Adding minerals to soft water can be a cost-effective option, but it’s important to compare the costs of other alternatives. Here is a comparison of the costs for each option:
Adding minerals to soft water: typically costs around $30 to $50 for a mineral replenishment kit and requires regular testing and replenishment of minerals.
Reverse osmosis system: costs can vary widely, but an average cost of a reverse osmosis system is around $200 to $400.
Water filtration system: costs can vary widely, but an average cost of a water filtration system is around $100 to $300.
Bottled water: costs can vary widely, but purchasing bottled water can cost $0.25 to $1 per bottle.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Adding minerals to soft water requires regular testing and replenishment of minerals. A water testing kit can be purchased for around $20 to $30, and mineral replenishment kits cost around $30 to $50.
It’s important to regularly test the water to ensure that the minerals are at the correct levels for safe consumption. If the minerals are not replenished regularly, the water may become imbalanced and potentially unsafe to drink.
Common Questions
Is it safe for pregnant women? It is recommended to consult with a doctor or medical professional before drinking soft water for pregnant women. Soft water may contain higher levels of sodium, which can be harmful for pregnant women who have elevated blood pressure or other health conditions. It is best to follow the advice of a healthcare provider in these cases.
Is it safe for pets? Yes, softened water is safe for pets to drink.
Is it recommended for infants? Infants under 6 months of age should not drink soft water, as it may contain higher levels of sodium. Consult with a doctor or pediatrician for further advice.
Is it better than distilled water? Distilled water has had all minerals and impurities removed, which can make it less desirable for drinking. Soft water that has had minerals added back in is a better option for drinking, as it contains essential minerals for health.
Conclusion
Making soft water drinkable is a simple and straightforward process. By testing your water, adding minerals, adjusting the taste, and chilling, you can have a refreshing and healthy drink in no time. Cheers to your hydrated future!
