It uses a high salt brine which eventually ends up in your septic tank.
Water softener discharge into septic tank.
Ridem water softener backwash brine bmps may 2012 2 water softener backwash brine can also adversely affect the septic system.
Can the water softener discharge damage my septic system.
For more tips on reducing the impact of the water softener on a septic system please refer to the reverse side or.
The septic tank discharges water into a drain field as more wastewater is released from the home.
How a water softener works.
The mineral deposits on the dripping water pipe in the photo at left are evidence of both a protracted leak and hard water.
Contrary to what some people say water softener backwash poses a problem not only to septic tanks and drainfields but also to advanced treatment systems.
The discharge volume of about 50 gallons per regeneration did not overload the tank and was on par with other household appliances like.
This can lead to clogging and.
Tank faucet or malfunctioning water softener etc.
This causes two problems.
Here s how the water softener affects your septic system and what you can do about it.
If local code allows i would recommend diverting the softener backwash water to another location outside of the septic system.
This could overload the tank and or disrupt the settling of solids forcing solid waste and effluent into the drain field before bacterial action could be completed and before water was clarified.
A water softener treats hard water before it flows into your home.
This is a large surge load which can upset the settling process in the tank.
Brine disrupts the settling of solids in the septic tank and reduces the available volume for solids separation potentially resulting in solids and grease entering the leachfield.
The answer is to direct the backwash water into the surface water drains which should not be connected to the sewage system.
Now that you know the basics of a septic system let s briefly explain the water softener basics to help you better understand the relationship between a septic system and a water softener.
It can if it is not maintained or if your septic system is too small.
When the water softener resin is backwashed two or three times a week concentrated brine enters the wastewater stream as a slug of 38 to 112 gallons each backwash cycle.
