Does Soft Water Taste Kind of Salty? Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Contractor in Huntley, Illinois

If you thought your softened water tasted a little salty, you are not the only one who has had that reaction. It might seem like a weird thing to happen, but there is usually a simple reason behind it.

Below, this Pentair water softening contractor in Huntley, Illinois is going to explain why your soft water might taste a little strange sometimes. 

Soft water really does not contain much salt.

Water softeners use ion exchange to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium and then replace them with sodium. But the amount of sodium added is less than 12.5 milligrams in one 8-ounce glass of water, which is way under what the FDA considers “very low sodium.”

To give you an idea, that is almost nothing compared to something like a single slice of plain white bread, which usually has around 170 milligrams of sodium in it. So even if your water is soft, it does not mean that you are drinking salty water.

Huntley gets its water from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA), sourced from Lake Michigan. The Village’s annual Consumer Confidence Report shows compliance with all state and federal standards, confirming safe, quality water.

Even though there is no official limit on how much sodium can be in drinking water, the Illinois EPA still requires it to be monitored and reported. That way, people who need to limit salt for health reasons can know what they are drinking.

If you still don’t know where the salty taste is coming from, the easiest thing you can do is call a Pentair water softening contractor in Huntley, Illinois. They can test your water and figure out if the taste is coming from the softener or from the water supply itself.

So what makes water taste salty anyway?

If your water starts tasting salty suddenly, it is usually not because of the normal softening process. Most of the time, it is a sign that something is not working properly inside the system.

There could be something wrong with the brine tank. For example, it could be clogged or not draining correctly. The injector valve could also be blocked. Water can taste salty even if someone uses the water during the softener’s cleaning cycle, which is when the system flushes itself.

Another reason, though not very common in Huntley, is if the water coming into your home already has more sodium or chloride than usual. That can happen with well water or small local systems, but it is not usually the case with city water.

The important thing to know is that water that always tastes salty is not normal. If that happens, it is probably time to have a Pentair water softening contractor inspect your system.

What can a water softening contractor truly do?

Your local Pentair water softening contractor in Huntley, Illinois can check your water softener to make sure everything is working correctly. They will check the brine tank and the resin bed, and make sure the settings match how much water your home uses every day.

If you are worried about sodium, they can even switch to potassium chloride as an alternative softening agent.

Looking for a Pentair Water Softening Contractor in Huntley, Illinois?

Are you ready to partner with the leading Pentair water softening contractor in Huntley, Illinois? If so, Johnson Water Conditioning is the top choice. We can provide in-home consultations, recommend the right Pentair system for your specific needs, and handle the installation to make sure your home has soft, great-tasting water. Contact us today.