Saltwater Pools vs. Water Softeners: Understanding Salt Usage

The salt used in a saltwater swimming pool is usually sodium chloride, the same type of salt that is used in water softeners. However, the concentration of salt in a saltwater pool is much lower than the concentration of salt in a water softener. The salt in a saltwater pool typically ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 parts per million (ppm), while the salt in a water softener can be as high as 10,000 ppm.

The salt in a saltwater pool is used to generate chlorine through a process called electrolysis. When the salt water passes through the electrolytic cell, the chlorine atoms in the salt are separated from the sodium atoms and become chlorine gas. The chlorine gas then dissolves in the water and forms hypochlorous acid, which is a powerful disinfectant.

The salt in a water softener is used to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the water. These ions can cause water to become hard, which can make it difficult to lather soap and can leave behind scale deposits on fixtures. The water softener removes these ions by passing the water through a resin bed that is coated with sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are attracted to the sodium ions and are exchanged for them. This process results in softened water that is easier to lather soap with and does not leave behind scale deposits.

So, while the salt used in a saltwater swimming pool and a water softener is the same type of salt, the concentration of salt and the purpose of the salt are different.