Is It Safe to Drink Softened Water? Dorset’s Expert Guide
If you’ve installed — or are thinking about — a water softener, you might be wondering:
Can I drink softened water safely?
The short answer is yes — for most homes across Dorset, softened water is perfectly safe to drink. Let’s look at the facts behind the science.
💧 Understanding the Chemistry
A domestic ion-exchange water softener removes hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium, replacing them with sodium.
This process is simple, precise chemistry — not guesswork.
For every 100 mg/L (ppm) of hardness removed, around 46 mg/L of sodium is added.
So if your incoming supply is 250 mg/L hard, your softened water will contain roughly 115 mg/L of sodium — well within the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) limit of 200 mg/L for potable water.
Across Dorset, where hardness typically ranges from 200–300 mg/L, softened water averages 80–140 mg/L sodium — safely below that threshold.
⚗️ What the Evidence Says
Independent authorities consistently confirm that drinking softened water poses no proven health risk when your softener is correctly installed and maintained.
The UK Water Treatment Association (UKWTA) notes that softened water typically remains within safe sodium limits.
The Association of Independent Water Softener Experts (AIWSE) confirms that sodium levels are predictable and compliant with UK standards.
The World Health Organization (WHO) finds no health-based reason to avoid softened water.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) confirms that municipal softening processes follow the same 200 mg/L sodium standard.
✅ Conclusion: All credible evidence agrees — softened water is safe to drink in most domestic settings.
🚰 Want Even Better-Tasting Drinking Water?
Softened water is safe and enjoyable to drink — but if you’d prefer extra freshness and clarity, we’ve got you covered.
Our water filters and purification systems are designed to give you:
Crystal-clear drinking water straight from the tap
Enhanced taste for tea, coffee, and cooking
Extra assurance for the whole family
Pairing a filter tap or purifier with your softener gives you the best of both worlds — soft, silky water for your home and fresh, pure water for your glass.
✅ Quick Facts Summary
Sodium levels after softening are scientifically calculable.
Dorset’s softened water typically measures well below 200 mg/L sodium.
No credible evidence links softened water to health risks.
For taste or preference, you can add a drinking water filter.
Softened water protects your home, skin, and appliances.
📞 Book Your Free Water Check
Curious about your own water quality?
We offer free, no-obligation home surveys across Dorset.
We’ll test your hardness level, show you exactly how softening affects your water chemistry, and recommend the ideal softener or filter for your needs.
👉 Book a Free Survey Today
Dorset Water Softeners — your local experts for softer, cleaner, better water.
🔍 References
United Kingdom Water Treatment Association (UKWTA)
Association of Independent Water Softener Experts (AIWSE)
World Health Organization – Hardness in Drinking Water (PDF)