Can You Drink Water During Regeneration?

Water that contains a high concentration of minerals -- commonly called “hard” water -- can create problems in washing, cooking and plumbing systems. Water softeners are used to remove minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese from water. The softened water contains more sodium than the original water. Regeneration is the actual process of removing the minerals and replacing them with sodium. If soft water is available from the system during the regeneration process, it is safe for you to drink.

Hard-Water Problems

Hard water makes many cleaning tasks more difficult. Soap does not dissolve well in hard water but combines with the dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water to form a thick scum. Clothes washed in hard water may look dingy or grayish and glass shower doors or bathtubs may develop a film. Plumbing fixtures are more likely to corrode in hard-water areas, and hot water heaters develop a buildup of scale that slows the heating process. There is no evidence that hard water is a health hazard, according to the Water Research Center.

Water Softeners

A water softener has three parts: resin beads, a mineral tank and a brine tank. Resin beads filter out calcium and magnesium ions and the filtered water is transferred to the mineral tank. During regeneration, the dirt and minerals in the mineral tank are washed out of the tank and flushed away. Sodium from the brine tank is added to the water from which the minerals have been removed and the brine tank is rinsed to make it ready for the next cycle. The demineralized water with added sodium is now available at your water tap.

Drinking the Water

Whether you can drink water during regeneration depends on the type of water softener you have installed. If your water softener regenerates automatically on a regular schedule, softened water is not available during regeneration; your water will come in “raw” and unsoftened. You can drink the raw water. A computerized water softener monitors water usage by the softening system and regenerates when enough water has been softened to deplete the sodium in the brine tank. Some soft water will usually be available for drinking as these tanks commonly have reserve capacity.

Sodium in the Water

If your water softener uses a mechanical water meter, it will regenerate only when necessary. Some metered softeners have two mineral tanks so softened water is always available. Remember that softened water is higher in sodium than the “raw” water coming into the system because sodium is released into the water as part of the process of removing calcium and magnesium. If you’re on a restricted sodium diet, you should consult your doctor to determine if it’s safe for you to drink softened water.