Contained in the water that you drink every day, you will find a variety of minerals that can be present in different amounts depending on the treatment processes that they have been through. One of the concerns facing private well owners in Maryland is sodium. If you have a private well, there is a good chance that you have sodium in your well water. While this mineral is essential for keeping your body healthy, too much of it can elevate your blood pressure or cause current medical conditions to worsen. Here’s what every well owner should know about sodium in well water.
How Much Sodium Is Too Much?
Healthy children and adults only need so much sodium per day to stay healthy. The Dietary Guidelines indicate that sodium should be kept to less than 2,300 mg per day, which is only about 1 tsp of table salt. If you have high blood pressure already or are at risk of high blood pressure, the threshold is lower at 1,500 mg per day. Because many of us have a great deal of salt in our diets, many Americans consume anywhere from 3,000-5,000 mg per day. While the amount of sodium in your well water might not seem too high, you need to consider it in the greater context of your diet and the amount of sodium you are already consuming.
Unlike municipal water, the sodium in your well water will not be tested before you consume it unless you take the initiative to have testing performed. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the sodium levels in your water stay between 30-60 mg/L. If you have a concern about taking in too much sodium, eat a diet with high levels of sodium, or have high blood pressure already, you should ensure that the levels don’t exceed 20 mg/L.
Why Are There Elevated Sodium Levels in Maryland Water?
Maryland water is known for having elevated sodium levels based on geological surveys. One study found that the average sodium levels in private wells in the coastal plain were a whopping 92.6 mg/L. That means that if you follow the low-sodium dietary guidelines and consume 1,500 mg of salt a day and 85 fluid ounces of water, over 15% of the sodium you consume would be solely from your water. Keep in mind that data is for the average aquifer, so there’s a chance that your private well has levels that are even higher. The level can be even higher if you use a salt-based water softener that adds more sodium to the water. The best way to determine exactly how much sodium is present in your water is with well water testing from Hague Quality Water of Maryland.
The amount of sodium present in your well water will depend on the mineral content of your soil and any other sodium that has entered it as a result of human activities like water softeners, agricultural chemicals, road de-icing, and more. All of these might be the reason why your sodium levels are even higher.
How Can You Test the Sodium in Your Well Water?
Hague Quality Water of Maryland is a leader in well water testing for Maryland residents. We have experience testing all types of water, and we can help you calculate the amount of sodium you might be taking in on a daily basis between your well water, any additional treatments that your water is experiencing, and your diet. We can also help connect you with the right treatment solutions for your budget, any existing chemicals or contaminants in your water, and your preferred sodium level.
How Can You Remove Sodium from Your Water?
Hague Quality Water of Maryland can aid in finding the right solution for your high sodium levels. There are many different ways to reduce the sodium levels in your water, including:
- Using a water softener that utilizes potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride to make your water soft
- Using a reverse osmosis filtration system that will remove excess salt and more from the water
Test and Treat Your Water with Hague Quality Water of Maryland
If you are concerned about the quality and contents of your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® System or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family. We offer a convenient mail-in water testing kit for conducting a complete water test at home. If you’d prefer to drop off samples, you can also do so easily. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.
