Discharging water softener backwash is a tricky business as you need to be fully aware of the local discharge regulations. So, before using any of the methods covered in this guide, ensure you’re fully up to speed on your state’s regulations.
Generally, the best ways to discharge your water softener backwash are:
- Into the bare ground
- In a dry well
- In a French drain
- In a septic drain field
- Using a backwash recycling system
- Using subsurface discharge
Let’s take a closer look at each method.
First, Know the Local Regulations:
It’s important to know your local backwash discharge regulations before connecting your water softener’s drain to the sewage. Since most water softeners are salt-based ion exchange systems (which discharge brine into the local environment), each state has its own regulations for the safe discharge of backwash into the sewage system.
Simply check with your state’s Health and Environmental Agency to see the regulations for your area.
Water Softener Discharge Options
1. Discharging the Backwash Outside
The first option is to discharge the backwash outside into the bare ground. This is a safe option if tap water is the main water source in your locality. However, it’s not an ideal solution if wells are commonly used in your area due to the risk of the backwash seeping into the ground and potentially contaminating local aquifers.
If you still choose to discharge into the bare ground despite using a well, it’s very important to consider the distance between your well and the drain. To prevent contamination, make sure to discharge the backwash as far away from the well as possible.
2. Discharging in a Dry Well
Another option is to discharge the backwash into a dry well. This is a safe option because it prevents salt/ions in the backwash from mixing with groundwater since the backwash will be slowly absorbed into the ground.
When digging the well, ensure it sits above the high water level. The well should also be capable of holding and absorbing large volumes of backwash discharge at a slow pace.
3. Discharge Backwash in The French Drain
A French drain is another great way to discharge water softener backwash. It’s very similar to discharging in a dry well, but a French drain requires more width than depth.
To discharge backwash via a French drain, you’ll need a long pipe and a ditch. More specifically, you’ll need a French drain pipe with holes in it. This allows for the backwash to seep out into the ground gradually.
If the ditch is long, you’ll also need to make it wide. This will help with water dispersion since accumulating salt or backwash in the same spot is harmful to the environment.
4. Septic Drain Field Discharge
You can also choose to discharge your backwash into a septic drain field. Septic drain fields are quite common in the US, but not all states allow them. So, what is a septic drain field?
A septic drain field, also known as a soil absorption field or a leach field, is a key component of a septic system. It’s responsible for treating wastewater and then dispersing it into the surrounding soil.
There are also advanced septic systems that evaporate or disinfect wastewater before discharging it into the soil.
If everything goes as it should, your backwash should be dispersed across a wider area and not harm the ecosystem in any way.
If you already have a septic system, you can attach your water softener’s backwash pipe to the system. If you don’t have a septic system, it’s not worth installing one just for the purpose of discharging your water softener backwash.
5. Use a Backwash Recycling System
The most eco-friendly option is to use a backwash recycling system. Instead of discharging brine solution into the surrounding ground or water, these systems reuse the solution for subsequent backwash cycles.
This minimizes the amount of backwash your water softener has to discharge, and it can reduce your salt usage by around 60 to 75%. However, they can be fairly costly to install as they’re made of several different components:
- A sediment filter
- A brine reclaim tank
- A control system
- Valves and piping
6. Subsurface Discharge
Subsurface discharge should only be considered if you have exhausted all other options. This method requires familiarity with the subsurface discharge state rules and knowledge of your waste content.
Make sure there’s adequate distance between the well and the discharge point. In most areas, you will be permitted to drain your backwash into a water well of 100 feet or more.
If you plan on using this method long-term, you should consider installing a subsurface system. The system has to be sturdy enough to resist damage from the contents of the backwash or environmental wear and tear.
Conclusion
Discharging softener backwash can be very challenging due to the local restrictions and environmental factors that need to be considered. However, there are many safe options that meet local and environmental safety standards.
The most environmentally friendly option is to install a backwash recycling system. This reduces the amount of brine solution discharged into the local environment and will also save you money, as your water softener will require less salt to function.
