a) Drinking water: Water softeners use salt in the process to soften the water which results in Sodium being added to the water. If you are using a water softener you should not have that softened water supplying your drinking water tap. You should have a separate untreated mains supply for your drinking water because there can be health risks associated with the high Sodium levels in softened water. b) Water softeners also remove healthy minerals from the water e.g. Calcium c) You have to buy, carry and store bags of Salt to top up the water softener regularly which can amount to up to €100 p.a. or more – depending on your local water quality. d) You may have to service it every year or so that it does not become contaminated. e) Very high Sodium level in softened water can eventually cause damage to copper pipes and cause pitting and leaks. f) Damage to the environment – Salt-based water softeners self regenerate i.e. they flush out water with higher Sodium and Potassium levels. This is an additional cost. In addition, this water gets recycled at municipal water treatment plants raising the level of Sodium in all of our mains water supply. This has already led to some bans and/or restrictions in some states in the USA (including Texas, California, and Massachusetts).  g) Water softeners can also interfere with septic tanks as the high Sodium levels can destroy good bacteria and diminish the drainage field’s ability to absorb excess water should a tank overflow with backwash.