Drinking water filtering after a softener is added

I am getting ready to replace my current softener and have been reading the almost unlimited supply of information regarding softeners so I'm OK with that information and have a fair idea of what I plan on doing but am still at a loss for drinking water.

I have a well with an aerator on the far corner of the property which does a good job of dealing with the "rotten egg" smell. What I would like to know or get more information about is how to filter the water after a softener to remove the salt/sodium content. I have read that RO systems while removing the salt/sodium from softeners also remove other "good" things from the drinking water. So, what other options do I have that would make good drinking/cooking water besides a RO system?

 

Reverse osmosis is an extremely effective way to improve your drinking water. There are good units, cheap ones and great ones. Prices may reflect their ability to remove dissolved solids, last a long time and produce adequate supplies.

What are your water cnditions? Well? City? Surface?
The choice of softeners, filters, and your source water conditions can play an important role in how the RO will and how long it will work.

What do you mean ROs take out GOOD THINGS? The chances that the water,

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

 

Well
1200 TDS
26 grains hardness

The last system I looked at was a Hague watermax softener and RO system - cost quoted $3600

My initial question has to do with RO systems and I read (and it could easily be hooey) that while RO systems make the water pure by eliminating most things it also eliminates some essential things good for your health. Now, I do not know if it's true or not but wondered if there's other alternatives and of course if RO systems are good for you or not. I understand the obvious answer that not having anything taken out of the water is worse but it's very difficult trying to find factual information online about RO systems and reviews of softeners as well. I have been perusing this forum and found some information but any more help is always accepted.

Regarding the Hague Watermax - it sounds good but I have no difficulty installing a system myself if the savings is substantial and the system will do the job at least as good as the watermax claims.

Thanks for your reply

 

Well, again, what would considwer 'good' for your health and how is that you got this information.

If you say calcium. Yes, an RO removes calcium. Now, remember, the rain water can become a carbonic acid as it picks up cafrbon dioxide in the air. This raniwater dissolves limestone (calcium carbonate) and entrers the drinking water.

Are you assuming that the calcium derived from dissolved rock is the same as that we get from milk, cheese,and other dietary products? How many gallons of water would you need to drink to equate 16oz glass of milks? 10, 15, 20?

Forget the hoopla about the necessary minerals found (with countless others) well water. Make your water as clean as possible and rely on proper diet, supplimentsa and exercise to benefit your health.

Most that put down ROs are trying to market something else.

Have you looked at Kinetico? We sell both Hague and Kinetico and both our customers and service staff prefer Kinetico. The K5 RO is handsdown the most comprehensive and complete RO out there.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

 

Thanks for the reply. Yesterday I spoke to a Pelican representative and they said no matter what I should first have my water tested by a reputable company that isn't selling anything and then contact them. They also said that if all I can use is a salt-based softener then I need a RO system as well but if the tests show I can use their no-salt softener then I don't need an RO system.

My wife and I moved to Melbourne Beach, FL after 28 winters in Fairbanks, AK where we had a 300' deep well with incredibly good water that we did have tested and needed no filters or any kind. We realize that now we live in a very populated state with varying degrees of questionable water. Never having had to do much research about water and wells, the online versions are more often misleading than informative. This is a link to what I read about RO systems in general Reverse Osmosis - Pros and Cons so again thanks for the reply and I'm setting up a test with a company today.

 

I hope the Pelican guy didn't actually call his unit a 'softener'. because it is not. If he is calling it a softener, then he is misapplying the term. It may be salt-free, but it is not a softener.

It is a filter and a little more. I still recommend and RO whether you go his that unti or a softener.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II