Do Water Softeners and Septic Systems Mesh?

An 18-month research project has found that water softeners, when operated efficiently, do not harm septic systems or affect their ability to properly treat wastewater. The question has been raised for decades despite other studies that have had the same result.“If a water softener is set at an efficient salt setting, the impact on septic systems is very limited if any at all,” says Pauli Undesser, director of regulatory and technical affairs for the Water Quality Association and foundation coordinator for the Water Quality Research Foundation, which funded the study. It was conducted by John Novak, Ph.D., P.E., through the