Q
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Should a water softener be installed to leave a drinking tap which supplies unsoftened water?
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A
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Yes, it is particularly important that all water mixed with powdered milk for babies’ feed is drawn from an unsoftened mains tap. This is because powdered milk already contains the right amount of sodium, and very young babies have a limited tolerance for sodium. Anyone on a sodium-restricted diet should follow his or her doctor’s instructions. The British Water Code of Practice which covers all new water softener installations requires that where reasonably practicable, a pipe leading to a mains water tap for unsoftened or mains drinking water should be connected directly to the water supply pipe prior to the water softener inlet.
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Q
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Will those who prefer to drink softened water be deprived of mineral necessary for good health?
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A
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No. The beneficial minerals necessary for good health come mostly from food in a balanced diet. Neither hard drinking water nor softened water can provide a significant proportion of the daily needs for minerals – for example a glass of hard water contains only about one tenth of the calcium that is in an equal volume of milk.
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Q
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How much sodium is there in softened water?
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A
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The average daily intake of sodium from all sources for an adult is 3500 mg (9g of salt), but experts advising the Department of Health recommend a reduction to about 2300mg (6g of salt). Many natural and manufactured foods and drinks contain sodium, and contribute to this total intake. Typical examples are: two glasses of milk contain 325 mg of sodium, and two slices of bread contain 375 mg. For comparison, an adult in a hard water (300mg/l calcium carbonate) area drinking 4 pints (2 litres) of artificially softened water per day would add only 310mg of sodium (or less than 9%) to their average daily intake.
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Q
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Will softened water help dry skin conditions, such as eczema?
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A
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Many eczema sufferers notice benefits from the use of softened water. Due to the complexity of eczema it is impossible to quantify why softened water helps. Successful reports suggest the following: - Water softeners eliminate scummy soap curd and result in a clean lather which is kind to skin, reducing dryness and itching - With softened water, the amount of soap used when washing clothes can be greatly reduced. Also pure soap products can be used with softened water in preference to detergents.
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