Have you ever noticed your well water feeling a bit slimy or slippery after running it through a water softener? It’s a common issue that many homeowners face, but it’s usually not a major cause for concern.
This slimy texture can be caused by two main culprits: iron bacteria contamination or an increased sodium (salt) level in your water softener.
Understanding the root cause can help you address it effectively. Both iron bacteria and high sodium levels in your water softener are common occurrences, and there are effective solutions to tackle them. With the right approach, you can restore your water to its fresh, clean state.
Iron Bacteria Gives Water a Slimy Feel
If your well water looks discolored, has a slippery feel, and even smells or tastes slightly metallic, it’s likely due to iron bacteria contamination. When you notice reddish stains on your sinks and faucets, that’s a telltale sign of oxidizing iron.
The presence of iron bacteria aids the buildup of rust deposits inside your pipes, which can lead to clogging and shorten the lifespan of your plumbing system. It’s a problem you’ll want to nip in the bud.
Solution
There are several effective solutions to eliminate iron bacteria and restore your water’s freshness. One option is shock chlorination, a method in which a highly concentrated chlorine solution is added to the well water for a short period. This powerful treatment is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate iron bacteria in wells.
After the shock chlorination, it’s necessary to install a well water filtration system to remove any lingering chlorine and iron residue from your water. The Springwell Whole House Well Water Filter System is an excellent choice for this task, as it’s specifically designed to tackle well water issues.
Another solution involves using a chemical injection system (like the Springwell Chemical Injection System) to periodically inject chlorine into the water supply. This continuous treatment helps keep bacteria and viruses at bay. Just like with shock chlorination, you’ll need to pair it with a water filter system to remove any chlorine residue, ensuring your water stays fresh and clean.
Soft Water From Water Softener Feels Slimy
Softened water can be slimy due to increased sodium levels in the water and the complete lack of hard minerals. This is even more noticeable if the well water is too hard or if you have just started using water softeners.
Slimy soft water is a result of the ionization process that takes place when water softeners bind calcium and magnesium minerals with salt to produce sodium. The sodium gives the water a silky and slippery feel.
Is All Soft Water Slimy?
Yes, soft water is naturally slimy. However, the degree of sliminess depends on how much salt was used in the softening process.
Solution to Excessively Slimy Soft Water
If you're uncomfortable with slimy soft water, then you should consider switching from using salt-based water softener to a salt-free water conditioner.
Water conditioners don't use salt. Instead, they use Template Assisted Technology (TAC) to change the chemistry of hard water minerals, thereby preventing the minerals from building up.
The other option is to switch from using sodium salt to potassium chloride water softener salt. Potassium chloride salt is more expensive than its sodium chloride counterpart, but it is worth the try.
Potential Health Implications of Slimy Water
The potential health implications of slimy water depend on the cause.
Send a water sample for testing if you suspect that the slimy feel is due to iron bacteria contamination. Iron bacteria can lead to the growth of other dangerous organisms in the water, including coliform bacteria that can make you sick.
Softened water, on the other hand, doesn’t cause immediate health problems, but it lacks minerals and can have high levels of sodium or potassium, depending on the type of water softener salt you use.
If you’re on a sodium or potassium-restricted diet, test the softened water to see the amount of sodium or potassium. Also double-check with your healthcare provider to be sure it's safe to drink.
Conclusion
Well water can have a slimy feel if it's too soft or contaminated by iron bacteria. If you're dealing with iron bacteria, it's best to contact a professional to test and disinfect the water.
If the slimy feel is due to using a salt-based water softener, you should consider using a salt-free water softener instead. Or better still, switch from using sodium salt to potassium chloride water softener salt.
