You should consider several factors while looking for a suitable place to discharge water softener backwash. For example, your local administration might provide detailed guidelines to discharge water softener backwash. Generally, you can discharge water softener backwash in the following places:
Know the Local Regulations About Discharging Your Brine Tank
Regulations regarding brine tank discharge vary from one place to another. Your water tank discharge can become an environmental concern for you and your community. The brine tank discharge becomes an environmental concern because it carries minerals.
These minerals sweep into the soil, and they adversely affect plants and vegetation. Brine tank discharge carries minerals due to the ion exchange process. Your local regulations can help protect your environment.
Where To Discharge Water Softener System Backwash
Water softener system backwash can discharge into specific areas. You can discharge water softener backwash in the following areas:
DISCHARGE IT DIRECTLY INTO A DRAIN PIPE NEAR THE FLOOR
You should have a drain line near your water softener. The floor drain near your water softener is important because water softener backwash can be discharged into the floor drain.
In some cases, you do not get enough pressure, and you have to use an additional tool, such as an ejector pump, to discharge the water softener backwash. In any case, it is easy to discharge the water softener backwash into the drain pipe.
DUMP IT OUTSIDE
While it may seem simple and easy to dump the water softener backwash outside, it causes environmental problems. It can be against your local regulations. If your local administration has placed no sanctions and barriers on it, you can simply dump water softener backwash outside.
However, you should know that water softener backwash can contaminate the groundwater source. For instance, your water softener backwash should not enter your well water source.
USE A FRENCH DRAIN
Using a French drain is perhaps the most sane way to get rid of the excessive water. A French drain redirects the water flow in a slow, old-fashioned way. Homeowners often install French drains to get rid of the rainwater.
A French drain comes with a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. The perforation part of the drain pipe always faces downwards. As the water fills the trench, it gradually enters the perforated drain pipe.
You can discharge water softener backwash into your French drain line. Make sure that you have a wide enough trench because water can overflow from a French drain. In this way, your water softener backwash cannot move into your well water source.
DUMP IT INTO A DRY WELL
Water softener backwash does not become a problem when you dump it into a dry well. Well, one does not find a dry well near his house often. You may have to travel long distances to find a dry well.
It may not be a feasible method to discharge water softener backwash because you do not own a dry well. You may seek the owner’s permission. That’s why most people do not dump water softener backwash into a dry well.
USE A SEPTIC FIELD
Having a septic field is a blessing. It costs some money, but it is always worth it. Generally, you have to follow regulations while installing a septic drain field around your house. You can also install a septic field if you have a mobile home. You can discharge your water softener backwash into the septic field.
A septic field treats your water softener backwash. The septic tank carries microbes that help treat your water softener backwash.
CONSIDER USING SUBSURFACE DISCHARGE IF YOU ARE PERMITTED
Subsurface discharge is not one of the feasible methods to get rid of the water softener discharge. That’s because it can potentially harm the environment, and the local rules and regulations do not allow subsurface discharge.
SUMP PUMP
Sump pumps become relevant when you install your water softeners in your basement or underground. Sump pumps move water softener backwash from an underground basement to the surface.
Sump pumps are used to drive water softener backwash into the drain system. They can be used to move water softener backwash into the dry wells.
SEWAGE EJECTOR PUMP
There is little difference between the sump pumps and the sewage ejector pumps. They are both used to move water softener backwash from an underground basement to the surface. Unlike sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps move water softener backwash directly to the sewage system.
ON-SITE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
Any on-site water treatment system, such as septic fields, can be used to get rid of the water softener backwash. Make sure that your on-site wastewater treatment system follows the local rules and regulations.
Can You Use Your Water Softener Discharge for Something Else?
Water softener backwash may seem harmful and useless at first. That’s why you think about discharging your water softener backwash. However, you can use water softener backwash for different purposes.
WEED KILLING AND REMOVAL
Water softener backwash can be an effective method of weed killing and removal. You know that water softener backwash can be harmful to plants, but it can also be harmful to weeds in your fields.
GET RID OF SLUGS
Water softener backwash has a high salt content, and it can be used to kill slugs. Slugs avoid water softener backwash, and you can use water softener backwash around your garden.
REMOVE ICE
As water softener backwash has a high salt content, you can use it for de-icing. However, water softener backwash is not deemed good for asphalt and concrete. So, you should be careful while using water softener backwash for de-icing.
How Often Should You Discharge Your Water Softener?
It depends on your water-softening system. The backwash cycles vary according to the type and model of your water softener. Some water softeners’ backwash should be discharged once a week. You should check the type and model of your water softener to know about the feasible time to discharge the backwash.