Is softened water harmful to plants, lawns, and gardens?
Softened water is not recommended for watering plants, lawns, and gardens due to its sodium content. Care must also be taken that water used in recharging a water softener be disposed of through a storm drain or sewer because of its damaging effects. If you are on a septic tank, the logical method of disposal is to discharge the brine into the septic tank and soil absorption field where some leaching of sodium salts will occur. Other alternatives include a separate holding tank, which could be emptied by a vacuum truck, a separate disposal field, or discharge point that does not affect neighbors’ property.
