Alternatives to water softener systems?
#1
02-22-17, 01:43 PM
Alternatives to water softener systems?
My drilled well water is really good quality, but it does have elevated levels of manganese. I've been told this is harmless and its only negative is a slight rotten egg smell. In my house the water softener system discharged into my septic system and I read that is harmful to the septic field. (Basically turns it into hardpan I think they called it). And it used a lot of water. So I turned off my system.
So I am wondering about alternatives to water softener systems. Does such a thing exist to remove manganese? I did install filters (not for this purpose though) and hoped I would get lucky even though I didn't expect I would.
Or maybe I should consider a new softener system that uses way less salt and water, and thus discharges way less to my septic system. I thought about simply discharging the waste water outdoors through a separate pipe but being in Canada I am scared it will freeze and I will come home to a flooding mess someday.
Anyone have any thoughts?
So I am wondering about alternatives to water softener systems. Does such a thing exist to remove manganese? I did install filters (not for this purpose though) and hoped I would get lucky even though I didn't expect I would.
Or maybe I should consider a new softener system that uses way less salt and water, and thus discharges way less to my septic system. I thought about simply discharging the waste water outdoors through a separate pipe but being in Canada I am scared it will freeze and I will come home to a flooding mess someday.
Anyone have any thoughts?
#2
02-22-17, 03:52 PM
Member
There are other ways to remove manganese depending on what form you have and whether or not there is also iron in the water. An air injection system, followed by a settling tank and a backwash filter system would be one example.
#3
02-22-17, 04:32 PM
Member
Basically turns it into hardpan
Honestly there is really nothing long lasting, economical, and efficient as a salt/resin water softener.
BTW rotten egg smell is from sulfur, have you had a good water test?
#4
02-23-17, 02:00 AM
Septic field hardpan? Just google it.
I have had a few water tests done, and manganese is the only one I have. The air injection system seems neat I should look into that.
So where do I put it? Have someone come in and dig me a deep leeching hole, filled with gravel, and pipe to that? What ever I do that involves the outside, it has to be at least 4 feet deep.
I have had a few water tests done, and manganese is the only one I have. The air injection system seems neat I should look into that.
and dont put all that extra water and salt in there.
Last edited by Bob_Plumb; 02-23-17 at 02:05 AM. Reason: added more stuff
#5
02-23-17, 05:54 AM
I had a well along with a water softener when I lived in fla. I dug a leach pit for my washing machine water and also had the softener empty into it. It worked fine. Obviously in fla I didn't need to go as deep as you would in a colder climate.
#6
02-23-17, 06:06 AM
Member
A lot has to do with your setting. I've had a dry well once, I currently drain to my sump which drains to my creek, used to have a house with a canyon in the backyard and just discharge over the side.
As long as your pipe has slope it wont freeze.
As long as your pipe has slope it wont freeze.
#7
02-23-17, 09:05 AM
As long as your pipe has slope it wont freeze.
I'm in Michigan and my softener empties into my sump pit and from there is pumped about 100' where it emerges on a slope. It has never frozen.
#8
02-25-17, 05:23 PM
As long as your pipe has slope it wont freeze.
I'm in Michigan and my softener empties into my sump pit and from there is pumped about 100' where it emerges on a slope. It has never frozen.
#9
02-25-17, 10:20 PM
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Not sure about the manganese but this may be an alternate for the water hardness. There are great reviews all over the web for this
https://www.costco.ca/Calmat-Electro...100217391.html
https://www.costco.ca/Calmat-Electro...100217391.html
