Where To Discharge Water Softener Backwash

Water softener backwash many home owners who use a well to get their water opt to have a water treatment system.

Where to discharge water softener backwash.

During a backwash of a water softener system water runs through a resin tank upward. This is a large surge load which can upset the settling process in the tank. If a water treatment system is anticipated at the home then the backwash discharge may be incorporated into the design of the septic system. Use a separate drywell or floor drain to receive water softener backwash.

If local code allows i would recommend diverting the softener backwash water to another location outside of the septic system. Make sure the discharge line is properly air gapped to prevent cross contamination. You can manually set the water softener to perform an extra backwash and fast rinse cycle before the normal regeneration. The dep is working on a general permit which would allow the discharge of water softener backwash into a dedicated subsurface disposal system but not into a septic system.

These problems are caused by high levels of chloride and other ions in the backwash brine from water softener regeneration. The current plan is to present this draft to other stakeholders such as water treatment vendors the ct onsite wastewater recycling. Practices for the discharge of water softener backwash brine to avoid potential problems with onsite wastewater treatment systems owts and impacts to surface water and groundwater quality. This causes two problems.

A water softener dumps from 50 gallons to 100 gallons of water into the system when it regenerates. However if the water treatment system is installed after the septic system is built and the leach field is not designed to accommodate the backwash water then alternate methods of disposal may be used. It does this at a fast speed and flushes iron minerals from the resin bed and out to the drain. When the water softener resin is backwashed two or three times a week concentrated brine enters the wastewater stream as a slug of 38 to 112 gallons each backwash cycle.

Contrary to what some people say water softener backwash poses a problem not only to septic tanks and drainfields but also to advanced treatment systems.