Water softener for your flat

More and more flats are fitted with a water softener. What about the installation? And when should you involve the owners’ association? Within an owners’ association (VvE), members also work together to explore the options for purchasing a water softener.

What do you need to bear in mind when installing a water softener in your flat?

First of all, of course, the location. Where will the water softener be installed? The most logical place is often the meter cupboard, but we also install them in utility rooms, kitchen cupboards or other areas. We’re happy to help you decide.

For a (proper) water softener, you need a drain. This can sometimes be a problem in a flat, but we’re happy to work with you to find a suitable solution (and we almost always do!).

Furthermore, with an apartment, you often have to deal with the Owners’ Association (VvE). You can therefore choose to tackle the process together with your Owners’ Association. This can have its advantages, but there are certainly a number of points to bear in mind, such as regulations (see here: communal water softener or individual installation). The choice is, of course, yours. .

Advice on water softeners for flats

Would you like advice on a water softener for your flat? We’d be happy to provide you with advice, with no obligation. You can call us on 085-060 44 70 or email us at info@mooiwater.nl. Of course, you can also no-obligation quote applications. We also explain a lot in this document.

Why install a water softener in your owners’ association?

Having soft water in your block of flats has many advantages. After all, you want the items present and keeping equipment in good condition and keep doing so for as long as possible. A water softener removes limescale from tap water and prevents limescale build-up. As a result, appliances with heating elements use less energy. Furthermore, you do not need to clean appliances that use water not as easy to replace, you’ll need to use less soap and cleaning products, and the water will be descaled good for your skin and hair.

A communal water softener or individual systems?

To soften the water in your owners’ association, you can opt for a communal water softener, whereby a single water softener is installed to serve all the blocks at once. However, in order to be allowed to install a water softener centrally within a block of flats, you do need permission required of the water company.

There are therefore two major drawbacks to a centralised system for the whole building.

1. As a owners’ association, you supply water to third parties (all residents of the building); therefore, under the Dutch Water Act, you are not permitted to fully soften the water to 0dH. You may only soften the water to 5.6dH. Given that the average water hardness in the Netherlands is 8–9dH, you will therefore derive only limited benefit from your expensive communal system. If you install a water softener as part of a communal system, you must also comply with the monitoring programme for the supply of water to third parties. An accredited laboratory must test the water on a regular basis for a number of parameters specified in the Drinking Water Regulations. With your own You are permitted to soften the water in an individual system up to 0 dH. You’ll also enjoy the full benefits of soft water.
2. Another major drawback is that if one resident does not wish to use the softened water for financial reasons (or any other reason), you cannot oblige that person to do so. After all, with a communal system, you can everyone supplied with the same water.

We therefore almost always find that this sort of collective initiative within owners‘ associations ‘fails’ and, in the end, everyone opts for a compact individual system. This is probably also the case with a number of 10–20 units even better value for money.

Are there any benefits to working together as members of a owners’ association?

It is highly advisable for members of a homeowners’ association to work together when purchasing a water softener. It is more efficient to install several units at the same time, which means we can supply you with the water softener at a competitive price. The more members of the owners’ association take part, the better value it becomes for everyone.

See also: Project discount when purchasing a water softener for your new-build home

Further information

Would you like to find out more about water softeners, or discover what we can do for you as a homeowners’ association or a member of one? Please get in touch with us via 085 060 4470  or request a no-obligation quote Please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help!