Water softeners and Septic Tanks

Mom has lived there since 1989 and has never had the tank pumped. Except for one time when I had to put the aerorator back in operation and add a white powder to help the bacteria growth it works fine. Your parents really never have had the tank pumped. Wow! Everyone I know who did this ends up pumping their tank every 5 years.

Dave, I hope I'm not taking too much of your time. Now you've got me intrigued. I always was told not to use a water softener in the country (because it messes with the bacteria balance in the septic system). I've met folks who had city water and a septic system; but never knew anyone on a private well with city sewer hook-ups. Are you? My mother-in-law has city water and a septic tank. She would love to use a water softener (mainly for her clothes and dishwasher). But I have always echoed what I heard from septic tank professionals and owners -- that it killed the bacteria in the septic tank causing the recycling process to break down, which results either in raw sewage being flushed from the tank because of excessive water flow or in sewage build-up and blockage, requiring a frequent pumping of the tank (currently her system runs so well that she never has to have it pumped). If you ever need info on a topic, let me know. Respectfully, Andy

Andy,
>
> I've never done what you're proposing and don't know but I think that
> the regeneration process has fast flushing which does what you're proposing,
> so I wouldn't open up the tank. I think the resin does fail with age but
> I've not experienced this as a home owner. My first water softener lasted
> about 20 yrs before it began suffering from a lot of breakdowns and was
> replaced. My second softener (very similar to yours) has lasted 5 yrs so
> far. I clean the venturi annually and disassemble the rotor/valve for
> cleaning every 2 yrs. Had to replace the rotor seal last time but I'm on a > well.
>
> Dave M.
>
>
>
>

The street is uphill of my mother-in-law's home, so drainage to the rear is the reasonable option. Will the water softener drainage impact plants and grass? How far away from the home and septic field would you keep it?

=========================== I have to agree with you.... I have been using a Water Softner and discharging it into my septic tank for ONLY 30 some odd years...

Never had a problem... and even with 3 Children my septic tank lasted years before it had to be pumped... (Honestly I can only recall having it pumped out twice ...the last time 2-3 years ago...

Bob Griffiths