Chloride levels in many surface waters are increasing and pose an emerging environmental concern, since elevated chloride levels are harmful to aquatic life in freshwater. Communities across the U.S. have observed surface waters with chloride water quality impairments, and chloride levels in groundwater are also increasing.
A major source of chloride is water softening, although depending on where you live road salt and fertilizers may be larger sources. In homes that have moderately to very hard water, many use water softeners. Water softeners remove hardness which causes scale buildup in pipes, appliances and water fixtures, and deposits on glassware. Ion-exchange water
