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From: jimb@amd.UUCP (Jim Budler)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.wanted
Subject: Re: water softeners
Message-ID: <437@amd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Oct-84 19:09:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: amd.437
Posted: Tue Oct 16 19:09:35 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Oct-84 06:27:19 EDT
References: <279@ihopa.UUCP> <1169@eosp1.UUCP>
Organization: AMD, Santa Clara, CA
Lines: 46

> I believe there is a statistcial correlation between prevalence
> of heart attacks and soft water.  It is possible that
> soft water is really not good for you.  Sorry that I cannot
> quote sources.  The article I read on this convinced me that
> I wouldn't want a water softener, but I think the statistical
> evidence refers to naturally soft water areas, and not to
> homes with water softeners vs. those without.
> 
> 	- Toby Robison (not Robinson!)
> 	allegra!eosp1!robison
> 	or: decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison
> 	or (emergency): princeton!eosp1!robison

Naturally soft water has fewer minerals such as calcium. 
Artificially softened water has used a catalytic type reactor to
remove those minerals.  This reactor uses salt brine for
regeneration.  This process increases the sodium ion content of the
water.  

With NO additional information, or statistics, I concluded that 
artificially increased sodium intake was undesirable.  Our area has
very high mineral content in the water so I wanted soft water for
non-food purposes.  

Therefore, I bypassed the softener to provide unsoftened water to
kitchen sink and the icemaker.  I installed a filter so the water
was sediment free, and a small spring valved gooseneck faucet.  This
faucet is packaged with a filter and assorted fittings.  I purchased
it at Wards(tm).

P.S.  I concluded that the softened water was unhealthy for
houseplant consumption also.  Normal installation practice with
water softeners provides non-softened water to all outside faucets
so this only effected HOUSE plants.
-- 
 Jim Budler
 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
 (408) 982-6547
 UUCPnet: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra,intelca}!amd!jimb
 Compuserve ID: 72415,1200

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* say here and probably wishes I wouldn't.                 *
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