I had a client ask me about non-salt systems…

What is the difference? Do they Work? Are they really softeners?

The internet if full of information (or misinformation) and nice pictures with great promises of bliss from non-salt water softening devices. Magnets, Filtration systems, cartridges.

All promising soft water without the use of salt! Some of the other promises are no to low maintenance. No need for salt. Less costly.

I don’t know of a reputable company that wouldn’t love to have a system that didn’t require the client having to carry bags of salt!

Unfortunately the non-salt systems are not able to soften the water!  That is a scientific fact. 

They don’t soften the water PERIOD!

What do they do?

Well they suspend the particles in the water in a way that they don’t stick but even that is not a complete fact. This they use to claim softening and less spots.

Some systems claim a CHELATION effect of the particles in the water. I call this the M&M effect. What it means is that some of the particles in the water get coated with a material that keeps the materials from sticking to the pipes so long as the coating remains or even takes place. This coating will allow the materials to flow longer but they are still in the water. The process although considered safe could have some strange potential risks.

Magnetic devices only work while the water is flowing. Once the water stops flowing the particles can lose their electrical charge and stick. Here too the materials are still in the water.

If you look at the literature that is buried deep in the back pages of their websites or in the disclosures that come with the units you will find some version of the following TRUTHS:

  • NOT AS MUCH SOAP SAVINGS
  • DOESN’T ELIMINATE SPOTS
  • DOES NOT ELIMINATE HARDNESS
  • MEDIA WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPLENISHED EVERY 1 TO 5 YEARS.
  • CARTRIDGES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY FEW MONTHS

Some NON-SALT systems require the use of Potassium (a type of salt) for regeneration. More expensive too! Systems like the one we recommend, a Purity Bay System can use either salt or potassium.

Some of this non salt technology does have its place. Commercial applications like commercial boilers, water heaters, cooling towers and so on. Places where the quality of the water is not important and the water is flowing all the time as in the magnet type devices.

Even though they don’t require salt to clean themselves they do require media replacement and or replenishment. This can happen quicker than you think and is not part of any of the warranties. The materials or media for some of these systems are not cheap. Like buying a new one every 1 to 5 years.

The beads or media is wearing away and the minimal effectiveness is progressively diminishing and the water progressively gets worse and worse. The damage from the hard water bleed through begins sometimes without warning.

And it isn’t like a light bulb that burns out and you know it has failed. If the material needs to be replaced every 5 years then each year you have lost a minimum of 20% of the efficiency, by the 4th year you are down to 80% decrease in effectiveness if it even lasts that long!

These systems also don’t remove as much from the water as a modern day processor like the one you can own from PURITY BAY! Heavy metals, arsenic and other materials are not impacted or stopped by some of these devices. Chlorine is not removed unless you add a separate filter.

If you are in the market for a water softening or purifying device then you should consider a Purity Bay Unit.

If you have a PURITY BAY SYSTEM you have the best possible solution for the water coming into your home right now! You were very wise to invest in your water processing system.

If you were to compare the benefits and costs over a 5 year period (their usual warranty)… You will find that the Purity Bay system is much, much more cost effective! And WAY-WAY better protection!