What is the issue?
The Jackson Sewer Utility permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that includes conditions that protect water quality standards to Cedar Creek. One of those standards are chlorides. The challenge with chlorides is that when they are absorbed by water, they cannot be removed at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Two main factors that influence chlorides in water coming to the Wastewater Treatment Plant are water softener brine tank regeneration and deicing of public & private sidewalks, driveways or parking lots and roads. The Village of Jackson is constantly working to reduce road salt applied on public property. Reduced salt use has been accomplished by properly calibrated equipment used by conscientious Public Works staff. Water softener and salt use at your home or business is up to you!
What can you do?
Small amounts of chloride come from industrial and commercial processes. A significant amount of chlorides come from water softeners. Each time your softener regenerates, its resin tank is flushed with a salt solution that is discharged to the sewer system. Several options are available to reduce salt used to regenerate your softener.
1. If your softener regenerates on a timer, consider switching to a high efficiency softener that regenerates with a meter. Meter water softeners track the amount of water used and regenerate only when needed.
2. Increase the time between regeneration cycles. If your softener uses a timer, increase the settings gradually a day at a time until you notice hardness effects for two regeneration cycles. Then set the timer back one day. If your softener uses a meter, increase the setting 100 gallons at a time until you notice the hardness effects after two weeks, then set the meter 100 gallons lower.
3. Consult with an expert to have your softener tuned up. If your softener is 14 years or older, consider replacing it to improve efficiency & save money. Village Code requires on-demand water softeners for new or replacement installations. The proper setting for a water softener in the Jackson Sewer Service area is 22 grains of hardness.
What are the benefits?
1. Reducing salt use helps the environment by minimizing the amount of chlorides released. This allows our streams and rivers to remain healthy so they can be enjoyed by everyone.
2. You save money! An efficiently running water softener uses less salt and less water. You could realize savings of 30% to 50% or more without noticing a difference in your water quality.
Thanks for your help!!
Our goal is to reduce the amount of chloride entering the Wastewater Treatment Facility by reducing the rate of salt used by water softeners. Your efforts will aid in collectively reducing the release of chloride to our environment. Call us with your questions 262-677-0707 ext. 610.