Kick the Salt Habit: How to Remove Salt from Your Water Well
Is your well water tasting more like a salty snack than a refreshing drink? You’re not alone! Many homeowners feel frustrated and thirsty with excess salt in their well water. Not only does it make your drinking water taste off, but consuming too much sodium can also lead to health concerns like high blood pressure.
Now, it’s important to note that sodium is a necessary mineral for our bodies, but too much of it can wreak havoc on our health. So, how do you kick the salt habit and enjoy clean, delicious water again?
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Prepare to bid farewell to that salty taste and say hello to fresh, clean water. Stick around to learn about the best water treatment systems and techniques to remove sodium and other contaminants, so you can confidently sip your water.
Cheers to a healthier and happier well-water experience!
Is Salty Well Water Bad for You?
While it’s true that salt is essential for our bodies to function correctly, excessive salt intake can lead to health issues. Let’s explore how salty well water can impact your health and why it’s crucial to maintain a balanced sodium intake.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Health
One of the primary concerns with consuming salty well water is its potential impact on blood pressure. High sodium intake can cause your body to retain more water, which, in turn, increases blood pressure. Over time, elevated blood pressure can strain your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Kidney Health
Excess sodium in your diet can also burden your kidneys. Your kidneys are vital in filtering and excreting waste and excess water from your body. When you consume too much sodium, your kidneys have to work harder to remove the surplus, which can lead to kidney damage over time.
Sodium Guidelines and Drinking Water
According to the American Heart Association, limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day is recommended, with an ideal target of 1,500 mg for most adults.
When it comes to drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) for sodium in tap water at 20 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Although this standard is not enforceable, it serves as a guideline for water providers and consumers to assess the quality of their drinking water.
What Causes Salt in Well Water?
Ever wondered, “Why does my well water taste like someone dumped a whole container of table salt into it?” Well, it’s time to unravel the mystery of salty well water. Salt can make its way into your well in a few common ways, so let’s dive in and find out how.
Natural Sources
One of the main culprits behind your salty water is the natural mineral content in the earth. Sodium chloride (yep, the same stuff in your table salt) can dissolve into your groundwater over time.
These dissolved solids are often present in surface and underground water sources. So, when you pump water from your well, you’re bringing up water that has had contact with these minerals, which can lead to that salty taste.
Nearby Saltwater Bodies
If you live near the coast or a body of salt water, there’s a chance that saltwater is seeping into your groundwater supply. This can happen due to natural processes, like tidal movements, or even human activities, such as over-pumping freshwater from wells.
As the saltwater mixes with the freshwater, the sodium content in your water increases, leaving you with a not-so-refreshing glass of salty water.
Road Salt and Human Activities
In colder regions, road salt is often used to melt ice and snow on the streets. While it’s great for keeping the roads safe, it can also find its way into your water. When the snow melts, the road salt dissolves and can seep into the groundwater.
Additionally, agricultural activities, like irrigation or fertilizer use, can introduce sodium and chloride into the soil, leaching into your well water.
How Do You Test for Salt in Well Water?
So, you’ve got a hunch that there’s too much salt in your well water, and you’re ready to take action. But before you jump into water treatment solutions, it’s essential to test your water and find out just how much sodium lurks in there.
Testing your water is easier than you might think, and you have a few options.
DIY Test Kits
A quick and easy way to test your well water is by using a do-it-yourself test kit, available online or at your local home improvement store. These kits usually contain test strips that change color based on the salt content of your water.
Just follow the instructions provided, and you’ll get an idea of the sodium levels in your well water. Remember that while these kits are convenient, they may not be as accurate as other testing methods.
TDS Meters
A TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter is another handy tool for testing your well water’s salt. It measures the electrical conductivity of your water, which increases with the presence of dissolved salts and other minerals.
To use a TDS meter, dip the probe into your water sample and wait for a reading. The higher the reading, the more dissolved salts are present. Note that TDS meters measure all dissolved solids, not just sodium, but can still indicate whether you have a salt issue.
Professional Water Testing
You might consider having your well water tested by a professional laboratory or water testing service for the most accurate results. They’ll provide a detailed report of your water’s composition, including the sodium levels and other contaminants. To find a local water testing lab, search online or consult your local health department for recommendations.
How to Remove Salt from Well Water?
Now that you know how salt sneaks into your well water and you’ve tested for its presence, it’s time to tackle the salty beast head-on. Let’s dive into these solutions and see which fits your needs best.
Ion Exchange Water Softeners
Ion exchange water softeners are famous for treating hard water but can also help reduce sodium levels in your well water. These systems use resin beads charged with sodium or potassium ions to swap out the sodium ions in your water.
As the water flows through the resin, the sodium ions are exchanged for either sodium or potassium ions, depending on the salt you use in your softener. Remember that while ion exchange water softeners can help reduce salt content, they might not be suitable for extremely high sodium levels.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are a powerful way to remove salt and other contaminants from your water. These systems force water through a semipermeable membrane, which filters out salt, heavy metals, and other impurities.
RO systems can be installed at a point of use, like under your kitchen sink, or as a whole-house system. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective at removing salt, but they produce some wastewater during filtration, so keep that in mind when considering this option.
Water Treatment Services
If you’re not keen on DIY solutions or want a more comprehensive approach to water treatment, consider hiring a professional water treatment service. These companies, like us, can assess your well water’s needs and recommend the most suitable treatment methods.
They’ll also install and maintain your chosen water treatment solution, so you can enjoy better-tasting, salt-free water with minimal effort.
Wrapping Up
Now that we’ve explored the ins and outs of removing salt from your water well, you should have a better understanding of the importance of keeping your well water balanced and healthy
Taking care of your well water might seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and professional help, you can ensure that you and your family have access to clean and healthy water. When it comes to testing, cleaning, and removing salt from your water well, there’s one name you can trust: WildHeron Drilling.
WildHeronDrilling offers the best possible service for all your well water needs. With their team of dedicated and experienced professionals, they’ll work with you to determine the most effective solution for your unique situation.
From testing your well water for sodium content and other contaminants to installing state-of-the-art water treatment systems, WildHeronDrilling has you covered.
Don’t leave the quality of your well water to chance. Choose WildHeronDrilling for reliable, top-notch service that will ensure your well water is clean, healthy, and free of excess salt. It’s time to kick the salt habit and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is safe and balanced.
Visit WildHeronDrilling’s website today to learn more about their services and schedule a consultation to get started on the path to better water quality. Your family’s health and well-being are too important to wait.
Let WildHeron Drilling help you achieve the clean, salt-free well water you deserve.