Where to Discharge Water Softener Backwash: 9 Ways [2023] 

Last updated on January 2nd, 2023

As you know, water softener backwash fluid can range from a clear to a dark color depending on the hardness of your water. However, most homeowners don’t know what they should do or where they can discharge their water softener backwash fluid. 

With backwashing your water softener system, you are able to reduce the buildup in your tank and therefore make adjustments for any excess hardness. If you are new to backwashing, the whole process can seem like a lot of work. However, backwashing is considerably easier if you know where to discharge your water softener brine, and how to do it properly.

So you are considering purchasing a water softener and want to find out where the discharge can be installed. But do not fret as we are here to help you out with some useful insights on this matter! Below is where you can discharge your water softener backwash fluid and get rid of it once and for all!

What Is Backwash Brine Solution?

Backwash brine solution is a liquid that’s used to clean the filter of your pool. It’s a combination of water and acid that removes debris, dirt and other materials from your filter. Backwashing is a process in which you use backwash brine solution to clean your filter.

The backwash brine solution goes through your filter in order to remove any dirt or debris that has collected inside it. The heated water then passes through the sand which traps the particles in its pores; this is when they are removed from the pool water.

Backwash brine solution can be made using ordinary household ingredients. The most common ingredients include bleach, vinegar and water. These ingredients are mixed together in a bucket or container and allowed to sit for several hours before being used in the filter system.

What Does It Contain?

Backwash brines are made up of water and salt (sodium chloride). The quantity of salt added depends on the concentration of contaminants in your water. The amount of salt needed to treat your water will vary depending on what you are treating for.

The higher the concentration of contaminants, the more concentrated your backwash brine solution should be. For example, if you have high concentrations of iron in your water, then you may need a higher concentration backwash brine than someone who has low concentrations of iron in their water.

How Does It Work?

It works by removing dirt, debris and other particles from your pool’s waterline while leaving behind the chlorine that will kill any bacteria lurking on the surface of your pool. This helps prevent algae from forming on your walls or floor, making it easier for you to maintain your sparkling clean waterline all season long!

Where to Discharge Water Softener Backwash?

1. Dry Wells

If you have a dry well on your property, discharge the backwash water there. A dry well is a hole in the ground with no outlet for draining rainwater. It’s designed to collect water so it doesn’t run off into storm drains and pollute local waterways. 

Dry wells are usually lined with concrete and surrounded by gravel to help prevent seepage into groundwater supplies or nearby waterways. If you don’t have a dry well on your property, you should consider installing one as part of your landscaping plans.

2. Water Boiler

If there are no dry wells nearby or if they are too far away from your house, then you can use a water boiler as an alternative method of disposing of the backwash water. This will not only help you get rid of the backwash water but also save you money on energy consumption since a boiler uses less energy compared to running an electric pump all day long.

3. Toilet

You can discharge your backwash water into your toilet tank as long as you are using an older style tank that has an opening at the bottom where you can pour the backwash in. The newer style toilets have a flush valve at the bottom which will not allow you to pour anything into it. If you have a newer style toilet with an opening at the bottom then it’s safe to discharge your backwash there using a hose attachment or bucket.

Also Read: SpringWell Whole House Well Water Filter System

4. Septic Drain

If you have a septic tank, then you can discharge your water softener backwash into the drain. You should be careful while doing so as too much of backwash can kill the bacteria present in the septic tank and can cause odors in your house. You should also not discharge too much of water softener backwash at once as it will cause clogging of the drain line.

5. French Drain

A French drain is a trench filled with gravel or other filter media that allows water to seep through it and into the soil. The drain can be installed in a variety of ways, including as a subsurface floor drain. French drains are typically used in areas where the subsoil is compacted or soggy. They can also be used to collect rainwater from places like patios and driveways so it doesn’t pool around the foundation of a home.

6. Downspout

Downspouts should be placed at least three feet away from your French drain and attached to a bulkhead fitting on one end and a gutter on the other end. The downspout should be positioned so that it does not interfere with any other structures on your property like landscaping or decks, and it should run at least three feet away from your home’s foundation wall before it empties into your yard or garden.

7. Sewer Line

If you have a septic system or sewer line connected to your home, then draining into these pipes is another option for discharging excess backwash water. Be sure that this option isn’t available before trying to discharge backwash into the ground, however, as it could contaminate groundwater or other resources if done improperly.

8. Subsurface

A subsurface water softener is an alternative to a traditional water softener. It relies on a slow-sand filtration system and can be installed by homeowners with basic plumbing skills. The system consists of a small tank that contains a bed of sand, which is used to soften incoming water. The filtered water is then discharged into your yard or garden.

The main advantage of using this type of system is that it does not require any electricity or other forms of power. However, if you want to get rid of the waste water, you would need to install an additional drain pipe from the unit, which will take care of the backwash discharge from the softener system.

9. OWTS (On-Wall Tank) 

This method involves discharging the backwash into a separate tank connected to the wall of your home. It is recommended for small households where space is not an issue. However, it can be inconvenient because you need to lug heavy tanks around when you need to empty them.

Which Places Should You Avoid To Discharge Water Softener Backwash? 

1. Don’t Discharge Backwash into Sinks or Faucets

Another thing that you should not do is discharge backwash into sinks or faucets. This is because when you discharge backwash into sinks or faucets, then it will increase the chances of clogging up your sinks and faucets in no time at all. So if you want to discharge backwash from your water softener, then don’t discharge backwash into sinks.

2. Laundry hoses 

Discharging water softener backwash into laundry hoses is another common mistake that homeowners make because they do not realize how damaging it can be for their home’s plumbing system. The problem with this mistake is that it can cause your washing machine to malfunction because of clogs in the hoses.

3. An Environment Is Rich in Animal and Plant Habitats

If you want to discharge water softener backwash into an environment that is rich in animal and plant habitats, then you should avoid doing so. The reason for this is that there are some plants that do not thrive in environments where there are high levels of salinity. This means that if you discharge your backwash into such an environment, you could kill off certain species of plants that are found there.

4. Near Local Water Sources

Another place where it’s not recommended to discharge water softener backwash into is near local water sources like rivers or streams. You may think this isn’t a big deal because it’s just going to be diluted by other rainwater or seawater anyway but this isn’t always true!

5. Fertile Farmland

Your backwash should not be discharged onto fertile farmland or near any bodies of water. The reason for this is that your backwash will contain traces of hard minerals such as magnesium and calcium. These minerals can kill plants by altering their pH levels and affecting their vital nutrients. If you discharge your backwash into a creek or river, it could also disrupt its ecosystem by killing fish or other wildlife in the area.

Conclusion: Where to Discharge Water Softener Backwash

The purpose of backwashing is to remove any debris that may have accumulated on the filter media. This debris can include dirt particles, organic matter, silt, and other impurities found in your water supply. 

As these impurities accumulate on your filter media over time, they will eventually clog up your system and cause it to malfunction. Backwashing will remove these impurities from your system so that they do not become trapped inside of it or clog up its inner workings.