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I have very hard water with a softener for my home water. I do not use the softened water which is softened by sodium chloride for obvious reasons. However I have heard of the alternative of softening the water with potassium chloride instead. Its pushed as more environmentally friendly but what I'm concerned about is can this water be used to grow with?
Are the potassium ions in the softened water better and safer then water softened with sodium chloride? If the potassium regenerant in the water is in a low enough concentration then would it be relatively safe for my plants, unlike sodium chloride regenerant I currently have?
The people at rv-orchidworks.com have a discussion on using the potassium regenerant waste brine caught separately in the softener as a high-concentrated source for potassium so I assumed the water with much lower levels would be safe, even beneficial.
Might be a question I can read more about but I wanted some input
If I can find potassium chloride pellets locally at TSC or something then I think I may have solved my water problem . I was getting tired of buying water when I have a well. Also I need to stop being a cheapskate and get a ppm meter as my concern was the amount of potassium softening puts in the water. I already use liquid nutrients and don't want to overdo it. Sodium softening releases a lot of sodium so I figured potassium softening would similarly make the water ultra-high in potassium
An article by the NFSC talks about the benefits of using potassium chloride for drinking and for plants I found interesting, may be a good idea for all with softeners to switch:
"Sodium really has no redeeming value in the environment outside of saltwater or brackish water ecosystems. If alternatives to sodium chloride for water treatment can be developed, they should be used. Potassium chloride is a logical choice to reduce sodium discharge from water softening systems, to provide additional potassium in human diets, and to serve as a nutrient source for plants."
• Reduces sodium contribution to soft water by 99%
• Provides a means to increase potassium, an essential human and plant nutrient, through softened water
• Reduces chloride discharge by up to 20% as compared to sodium chloride softened water ^^ the chloride reduction is neat because that was another concern of mine using the water
The thing that I would be worried about is the amount of potassium that you will have in the water. Dont know if there is a tester out there just to check that or not. You can contact you local farm bureau and they could direct you to a local water testing facility. With out knowing what is in your water, I wouldnt use it. Invest money into a RO system or keep buying water.
-------------------- I fart in you general direction. Your mother was a hampster, and your father smelt of elderberries!
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