Water Softener Discharge Into Septic Tank

Most reputable sewage treatment plant and septic tank manufacturers will not allow the regenerant from water softeners to be discharged into their tanks and their warranties are null and void if this happens.

Water softener discharge into septic tank.

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. 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. How a water softener works. It can if it is not maintained or if your septic system is too small.

This is a large surge load which can upset the settling process in the tank. This can lead to clogging and. If local code allows i would recommend diverting the softener backwash water to another location outside of the septic system. It uses a high salt brine which eventually ends up in your septic tank.

Here s how the water softener affects your septic system and what you can do about it. A water softener treats hard water before it flows into your home. Can the water softener discharge damage my septic system. The mineral deposits on the dripping water pipe in the photo at left are evidence of both a protracted leak and hard water.

This causes two problems. A water softener dumps from 50 gallons to 100 gallons of water into the system when it regenerates. For more tips on reducing the impact of the water softener on a septic system please refer to the reverse side or. The answer is to direct the backwash water into the surface water drains which should not be connected to the sewage system.

Ridem water softener backwash brine bmps may 2012 2 water softener backwash brine can also adversely affect the septic system. 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. Tank faucet or malfunctioning water softener etc. 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 septic tank discharges water into a drain field as more wastewater is released from the home.