Response to the Kassa programme on water softeners

On 1 April 2023 (no joke), the BNN/VARA programme Kassa featured a segment on water softeners. Normally, we welcome media coverage of water softeners. In this case, however, we feel the need to clarify a few points.

Unfortunately, comments were made during the programme that unfairly cast water softeners in a bad light. As a supplier of water softeners, with a commercial interest, we are of course 2-0 down, but we’re confident enough to say that we know a great deal about the subject.

That is why, stubborn as we are, we are going to demonstrate that the complete lack of nuance in the statements made creates a totally false impression.

First, the positives

In the programme, Dr Hofman confirms that the use of an ion-exchange water softener (i.e. one that uses salt):
• Devices work better
• Appliances use less energy
• Less soap is needed
• Magnetic water softeners should not be called that, as they do not actually soften water and, despite all the research, it has never been proven that they work
• Ion-exchange water softeners really do work (so you’ll never have to worry about limescale in any form again)

All our “claims” are therefore endorsed.

But now for the points that require some comment.

Now for the points that warrant some comment. Below, we list the statements and our response to each one.

Ruling 1.

‘The water in the Netherlands is already soft; the water companies have already removed most of the calcium from it’

Comment Mooiwater:
In the Netherlands, the water is indeed often partially softened. The average hardness is therefore around 8dH. On a scale of 0–50 dH, a hardness of 8 is therefore fairly soft. Nevertheless, many water softeners are sold because many people experience problems with limescale. Of course, limescale build-up occurs three times as quickly at a hardness of, say, 24dH as it does at 8dH, but even at 8dH there are significant consequences of limescale formation. How exactly does it work? You can read it here. If you don’t have any problems with limescale, we’d advise against buying a water softener. But if, like most people, you find limescale a real nuisance, then we’ve got the solution!

Ruling 2. 

‘According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), water must contain calcium for healthy bones and teeth’

Comment Mooiwater:
The WHO report is cited incorrectly here. In fact, the WHO report entitled “Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public Health Significance”, dated 7 April 2020, states on pages 54–55: “Although certain minerals in water may be beneficial in providing essential micronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium and zinc, there are as yet no guidelines for minimum concentrations of these minerals in drinking water.” You can find the report here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241563550

But suppose there do need to be minimal concentrations present; in that case, the question naturally arises as to what extent Dutch drinking water contributes to your RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). This varies by water supplier, but we’ve worked it out for you based on the average water hardness in the Netherlands. With this level of water hardness, you’d need to drink at least 28 litres of water a day to get the required amount of calcium! You can read more about this here: https://mooiwater.nl/feiten-en-fabels/waterontharders-bouwstoffen-lichaam-ongezond/

Conclusion: There is no minimum requirement, and drinking water makes a negligible contribution to your body’s calcium requirements.

Ruling 3.

‘Good tap water, with few bacteria, passes through a “filter”. Those bacteria attach themselves to the filter. The bacteria then start to multiply, and the risk of falling ill increases.’

Comment Mooiwater:
As the rest of the world has been using water softeners for decades (with tens of millions of installations and for much longer than in the Netherlands), extensive research was carried out at the end of the last century into bacterial growth in water softeners in those countries. The conclusions are unanimous: water softeners do not lead to exponential bacterial growth and therefore pose no threat to public health. For example, in 2000, the British researcher Simon A. Parson conducted a new study into water softeners using ion exchangers. The study can be read here: (The effect of domestic ion-exchange water softeners on the microbiological quality of drinking water – ScienceDirect).

The situation under investigation, as shown in Kassa, involved just one household where the water was not tapped immediately after passing through the water softener. It is therefore completely impossible to determine where the bacterial growth originated. This should absolutely not be called a “study”.

Just a slight clarification regarding Dr Hofman’s reasoning. A rain shower has a larger surface area than a standard shower and is therefore more prone to bacterial growth. A 2-metre pipe is twice as likely to harbour bacterial growth as a 1-metre pipe. Conclusion: Anything that increases the surface area increases the risk of bacterial growth, and this includes the water softener.

However:
1. As all our water softeners are fitted with a hygiene mode, bacterial growth is effectively ruled out. It may be that the scientists mentioned are not fully aware of the latest technological developments in water softeners
2. Limescale build-up in all the pipes, the shower head, the taps, the coffee machine, etc., also leads to an extreme increase in surface area and a significant roughening of the surface. This is completely ignored. So when we talk about the likelihood of bacteria, such as Legionella, adhering and therefore multiplying, limescale build-up really does play a major role. However, with a water softener, limescale no longer forms anywhere and everything remains clean and smooth. We have already discussed this with Professor Van der Hoek in Delft. Despite his commitment to commission research into this and repeated requests on our part, he has, unfortunately, never responded again.
3. Every few days, the water softener is flushed with a 100% brine solution. This brine contains the maximum amount of salt that water can absorb. The Dead Sea (with an average salinity of 33%) is nothing in comparison. Not a single bacterium survives this rinse cycle.

Would you like to find out more? Read: https://mooiwater.nl/feiten-en-fabels/waterontharders-meer-bacteriegroei-legionella-gevaar/

Ruling 4.

‘’Water softeners are bad for the environment; 70kg of salt per household per year is bad for water quality’

Comment Mooiwater.
We do indeed regret having to use salt. If you don’t have a water softener, you do indeed save on salt. However, this is offset by increased use of soap and cleaning products, a longer lifespan for appliances, greater efficiency of appliances, and so on. In our view, the benefits certainly outweigh the costs.

You can read more about this under the ‘ENVIRONMENT’ heading on our Facts & Myths

Conclusion

If someone is experiencing problems with limescale, a water softener is a brilliant solution that’s good for the environment and your wallet