Where To Discharge Water Softener Backwash

A water softener dumps from 50 gallons to 100 gallons of water into the system when it regenerates.

Where to discharge water softener backwash.

The dep is working on a general permit which would allow the discharge of water softener backwash into a dedicated subsurface disposal system but not into a septic system. The treatment system can help with many problems associated with drinking water hardness bacteria odor high levels of iron etc. Make sure the discharge line is properly air gapped to prevent cross contamination. This causes two problems.

Water softener backwash many home owners who use a well to get their water opt to have a water treatment system. Practices for the discharge of water softener backwash brine to avoid potential problems with onsite wastewater treatment systems owts and impacts to surface water and groundwater quality. This is a large surge load which can upset the settling process in the tank. When the water softener resin is backwashed two or three times a week concentrated brine enters the wastewater stream as a slug of 38 to 112 gallons each backwash cycle.

It does this at a fast speed and flushes iron minerals from the resin bed and out to the drain. However if the water treatment system is installed after the septic system is built and the leach field is not designed to accommodate the backwash water then alternate methods of disposal may be used. If a water treatment system is anticipated at the home then the backwash discharge may be incorporated into the design of the septic system. Connect to municipal water supply if available so that your water will arrive already properly conditioned and therefore not require softening.

If connecting the softener discharge to. If local code allows i would recommend diverting the softener backwash water to another location outside of the septic system. These problems are caused by high levels of chloride and other ions in the backwash brine from water softener regeneration. The current plan is to present this draft to other stakeholders such as water treatment vendors the ct onsite wastewater recycling.

Contrary to what some people say water softener backwash poses a problem not only to septic tanks and drainfields but also to advanced treatment systems.