Softened water is generally safe to drink, but it contains more sodium and may taste different than your tap water did before treatment
A water softener removes minerals like calcium and magnesium by replacing them with sodium ions. This process makes water less likely to leave scale on pipes and fixtures, but it does add salt to the water you drink. For most people, drinking softened water poses no health risk. However, the sodium content matters if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or follow a sodium-restricted diet—and it matters more if your household uses a lot of softened water for cooking and drinking.
The taste change is often the first thing people notice. Softened water feels slicker on your skin and in your mouth because it lacks the minerals that give hard water its slightly chalky taste. Some people prefer it when ready. Others find it takes a week or two to adjust, or they dislike it enough to install a separate drinking water tap that bypasses the softener.
Key Takeaways
- Softened water is safe to drink for most people, but contains added sodium that may concern those with high blood pressure or on sodium-restricted diets.
- A water softener typically adds 100 to 300 milligrams of sodium per liter, depending on how hard your original water was and how the softener is set.
- If sodium intake is a concern for your household, you can install a bypass line to keep one tap (usually the kitchen sink) on unsoftened water.
- Softened water tastes noticeably different because it lacks minerals, and some people prefer to drink it while others install a separate drinking water system.
- Infants under six months old should not drink softened water regularly because their kidneys cannot process high sodium levels efficiently.
How much sodium does softened water contain
The amount of sodium in softened water depends on how hard your water was before treatment. A water softener works by trading calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions in a one-to-one exchange. If your water was very hard—say, 300 parts per million (ppm) of hardness—the softener will add roughly 300 ppm of sodium. If your water was only moderately hard at 150 ppm, the sodium added will be lower.
In practical terms, softened water from a very hard water supply might contain 100 to 300 milligrams of sodium per liter. For comparison, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day for adults. If you drink two liters of softened water daily from a hard water supply, you could be getting 200 to 600 milligrams of sodium just from drinking water—roughly 10 to 25 percent of the recommended daily limit. If your water was only moderately hard, the sodium contribution is lower.
You can find out how much sodium your softener is adding by asking your water company for a hardness test, or by having your water tested through a local extension office or private lab. Many water companies provide this information free or for a small fee. Once you know your water's hardness, you can calculate the sodium content or ask your softener installer to tell you what the system will add.
Who should avoid drinking softened water regularly
People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease should talk to their doctor before drinking softened water regularly. The added sodium can raise blood pressure in some people, and those with existing heart or kidney conditions may be more sensitive to sodium intake. Your doctor can tell you whether the sodium in your softened water is a concern for your specific situation.
Infants under six months old should not drink softened water on a regular basis. Their kidneys are still developing and cannot process high sodium levels the way older children and adults can. If you have a baby and use a water softener, use unsoftened water for formula and drinking water until the child is older. After six months, the risk is lower, but it is still wise to check with your pediatrician.
People on sodium-restricted diets prescribed by a doctor—such as those with certain heart conditions or kidney disease—should also be cautious. The sodium from softened water can add up quickly over the course of a day, especially if you cook with it as well as drink it.
Installing a bypass line to keep one tap unsoftened
If sodium intake is a concern for your household but you still want the benefits of soft water for washing and cleaning, you can install a bypass line that keeps one tap—usually the kitchen sink—on unsoftened water. This is a common setup and is often called a "drinking water bypass" or "kitchen tap bypass."
The bypass line branches off from the main water line before it enters the softener, then reconnects after the softener so that one faucet receives hard water while the rest of the house receives soft water. Installation typically costs between $200 and $500 if done by a plumber, or you can do it yourself if you are comfortable with basic plumbing. The materials—copper tubing, fittings, and a shutoff valve—cost $30 to $100.
Some people choose to install a separate drinking water system instead, such as a reverse osmosis filter or a pitcher filter, which removes sodium and other dissolved solids. These systems cost less upfront but require filter replacements every few months. A bypass line is a one-time installation with no ongoing maintenance beyond your regular softener upkeep.
Taste and texture differences you might notice
Softened water tastes noticeably different from hard water because it lacks the minerals that give hard water its flavor. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, which give it a slightly chalky or mineral taste that many people grow up with and expect. Softened water tastes flatter and smoother, and some people describe it as having a slightly salty or slippery mouthfeel.
The texture difference is real: softened water does feel slicker on your skin and in your mouth because soap and shampoo dissolve more completely in it. This is why soft water is better for washing—it requires less soap and rinses more cleanly. But for drinking, the lack of minerals and the slicker feeling can take getting used to, or it can be off-putting enough that you prefer to drink unsoftened water.
If you dislike the taste of softened water, a bypass line to your kitchen sink is the simplest solution. You will drink and cook with hard water while still enjoying the benefits of soft water throughout the rest of your home. Many people who install a softener end up doing this within the first few months.
Other considerations for drinking softened water
Softened water is safe for most household uses—washing dishes, laundry, bathing, and cleaning. The main concern is sodium intake from drinking and cooking with it regularly. If you have no dietary restrictions on sodium and your household members are all older children or adults, softened water poses no health risk.
If you are concerned about other contaminants in your water—such as bacteria, lead, or chlorine—a water softener does not remove these. A softener only removes hardness minerals. If you need to remove other contaminants, you will need a separate filtration system, such as a reverse osmosis filter, activated carbon filter, or UV system. Some people combine a softener with a whole-house filter or a point-of-use filter at the kitchen sink.
Softened water can also affect the taste of tea, coffee, and other beverages because it lacks the minerals that some people feel contribute to flavor. If you are particular about how your coffee or tea tastes, you may want to use unsoftened water for brewing, even if you drink softened water otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink softened water if I have high blood pressure?
Talk to your doctor first. The sodium in softened water can raise blood pressure in some people, especially those who are already sensitive to sodium. Your doctor can tell you whether the amount of sodium your softener adds is a concern for you personally. If it is, a bypass line to your kitchen sink is a straightforward solution.
Does softened water have any health benefits?
Softened water itself has no special health benefits. The main advantage is practical: it reduces scale buildup in pipes and on fixtures, which extends the life of appliances and reduces cleaning time. For drinking and cooking, hard water and soft water are nutritionally equivalent—both are safe for most people.
Will softened water hurt my plants or pets?
The sodium in softened water can build up in soil over time if you water plants with it regularly, potentially harming some plants. For pets, the sodium content is generally not a concern if they have access to fresh water and are not on a sodium-restricted diet. If you are concerned, use unsoftened water for plants and pets, or install a bypass line.
What if I do not like the taste of softened water?
Many people adjust to the taste within a week or two, but if you dislike it, install a bypass line to your kitchen sink so you can drink and cook with unsoftened water. Alternatively, use a pitcher filter or point-of-use filter at the tap to remove sodium and improve taste.
Is softened water safe for babies and young children?
Infants under six months should not drink softened water regularly because their kidneys cannot process high sodium efficiently. After six months, the risk is lower, but check with your pediatrician. For formula, use unsoftened water until your child is older.