My water softener empties into a sump pit, and the pump needs to run a few times each time the softener runs. Otherwise, the sump only runs if the basement bathroom is used, which isn’t often since the kids went off to college, husbands, etc.
The septic tank outside is at a higher elevation than the basement floor.
Is there a way to drain the softener into the ‘main’ drain system? The main system runs across the basement ceiling, not far from the softener. I would like to prevent the overflows that happen when the sump blows a circuit breaker, and I’d like to reduce the electricity consumed by the sump pump.
Replies
Alot of softener heads are able their dishcharge up si or seven feet so you should be able to plumb it into a regular drain line.
Edited 4/23/2008 4:22 pm ET by TomW
I think you would have to either put an anti-backflow valve in, or even better have an air gap, along the lines of a washing machine. I'd want to remove every chance of waste water contaminating drinking water.
It's pretty typical for a softener to drain in to the house septic or sewer so I would imagine the installation instructions would address it. I know the iron filter I installed is set up that way, in fact I was not allowed to have it drain into a sump or gray water system, had to go to the septic.
Here is a couple excerpt from one mfg's instructions. That's just from the first one I googled. I suspect most of them are that way.
Step 3: BACKWASH DRAIN: You will need a drain for the regeneration and/or backwashing cycles. If possible, the drain should be no farther than 40 feet from the water softener. You will need to purchase this flexible 5/8"od diameter (1/2"id inside diameter) plastic tubing from Alpha Water Systems Inc. or your local hardware or building supply store. The tubing can be vinyl, polyethylene, polybutylene, etc. Be carefull on corners with clear tubing! Do not let the ends crimp! The same size tubing will be used in step 8. The drain line will be under pressure when the regeneration/backwash cycle is working, therefore make sure the drain line is secured. The drain line will need to dump into a drain that is a minimum diameter of 1 1/2". All local plumbing codes should be adhered to. Note: Never connect the drain line directly into a drain. Use a plumbing trap. Allow an air gap between the drain tubing and waste line to prevent the possibility of reverse siphoning. Often times, a washing machine drain trap is conveniently located and can be used.
"Is it ok for the water softener drain hose to drain into my septic system?" Generally most people drain their discharge into their standard drain, which would go into the public drain system or their septic tank.Please follow all local plumbing codes.
Taken from http://www.alphausasystems.com/softenFAQ.html
Here is another from
http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/PDF/Installation%20Guide%20for%20Fleck%207000SE%20Water%20Softener.pdf
Do not attach the drain line to the elbow on the brine tank it will overflow the brine tank. Run the drain line to a house drain, where your washing machine drain line goes is an excellent choice, if this is not possible then you can drain into multiple areas, make sure you always leave an air gap if going into a pipe. An air gap is an open area where there is no standing water. Your drain line can be elevated up to 5 feet over and above where it comes out of the valve and you can run it up to 100' away. Always follow local codes.
Edited 4/23/2008 5:38 pm ET by TomW
Edited 4/23/2008 5:38 pm ET by TomW
Why does you sump pump only run when the bathroom is used? Are you running brown water into your back yard?
I called it a 'sump', but I guess it's really a 'sewage ejection pump', or something like that. It pumps into the septic tank.
only trouble i have found with running softner into septic is you are rinsing sault into a concrete septic tank
as anyone knows you dont put salt on concrete steps as salt loves to eat concrete
i have seen clients tanks where the baffles were being eat out due to the salt from the softner
i advise them to run to ditch along with sump pump outflow
I think I would be more concerned about a high dose of salt killing off the bacteria in a septic tank. I can not see a high enough concentration of salt to eat up the concrete. A lot of difference in rock salt on the steps and some brine mixed in with the "other stuff".
it was a client who brought this to my attention as at the time i was liscensed as a installer and had installed his system a number of years earlier
You'd need to install a trap and vent where the softener dumps into the drain.
I frankly don't see the harm in leaving things the way they are.