California's Water Softener Law

Why would any local or state government sign into law a bill that could result in restrictions to personal water softener use? You would have to ask Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles).

AB 334 signed by Governor Gray Davis will authorize "a local agency to regulate the use and availability of self-regenerative water softening appliances that discharge to the community sewer system". AB 334 becomes effective January 1, 2004.

How will this law affect current water softener owners? It's hard to say. The concern of putting brine (salt) water into the public sewer system may or may not be justified. There is no scientific proof that there is any harm whatsoever caused by brine on sewer pipes or tanks. Only time will tell how citizens will deal with this new law.

At Water Value Co., we have received calls from people concerned about their septic systems in regards to brine in the pipes, tanks and drain fields. I personnaly tell everyone the same thing; "We have several local customers with self contained septic systems. All of the softeners we hook up drain to the septic tanks. In over 18 years, not one of them has had a problem related to brine in the septic system".

The house I recently purchased had its septic system inspected by the local township. Everything checked out fine. The house is 31 years old and it has had a softener system in it for more than 20 years. The softener drains into the house's septic system. No problems there either.

I realize these conclusions are not very scientific, and that a self-contained septic system is quite a bit different than a waste water treatment plant, but I have to wonder why Jackie Goldberg would become concerned with brine water when there is no known evidence of problems in the past.

Will residents of the state of California have to stop using their water softeners? No. Calcium chloride or "saltless softener pellets" can be used in place of salt. Has Jackie Goldberg done any tests on the effects of calcium chloride on the state's waste water treatment facilities? Is there any scientific study to suggest a problem with water softener brine water in a waste water treatment facility? I have searched the web and so far, have found nothing conclusive.

We will keep you posted on this controversial law and its mysterious logic.