Yes, soft water is generally safe to drink. The primary difference between hard and soft water is the amount of sodium present. While water softening processes add sodium, the quantity is usually small enough to pose no significant health risk for most people.
Understanding Soft Water and its Safety
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Sodium Content: The main concern regarding soft water is the increased sodium level due to the water softening process. However, the added amount is typically minimal and unlikely to cause problems for individuals who are not on strict sodium-restricted diets. [Source: The difference in hard water and soft water is the amount of sodium within it. Soft water is safe to drink as the amount of sodium added is very small.]
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Health Effects: While some concerns exist about the lower pH levels of some softened water and potential effects like heartburn, these are not universally experienced, and research on widespread adverse health effects is limited. [Source: Some people are concerned about the lower pH causing heart burn or other "problems" which alkaline water claims ]
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Reverse Osmosis: For individuals with extremely hard water or specific sodium sensitivities, a reverse osmosis filter can further reduce the sodium content to make the softened water even safer for consumption. [Source: If you have very hard water and you're concerned about sodium, the best way to make soft water drinkable is to use a reverse-osmosis filter.]
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Specific Applications: While safe for human consumption in most cases, using softened water for hummingbirds or other specific applications might not be advisable due to elevated salt levels. [Source: It's best not to use either softened or distilled water in sugar water for hummingbirds. Most water-softening systems raise the salt content of the water.]
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Additional Considerations: It's always wise to check your specific water softener's instructions and sodium output levels. If you have underlying health conditions, consult your doctor before relying solely on softened water as your primary drinking water source.
