The Water Softener Blog: May 2025

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Water Softener Salt Part #1

Water softeners are essential for households dealing with hard water and iron, which can damage plumbing, reduce the efficiency and lifespan of appliances, and leave residue on dishes, clothing, and plumbing fixtures. A key component in this system is water softener salt, which helps regenerate the softener's resin beads and keep the system running smoothly to provide worry free soft water.

Types of Water Softener Salt

Water softener salt comes in various forms, including pellets, crystals, blocks, and compacted flakes. Among these, Dura Cube and Hardi Cube salt—formed into small, compacted flakes—is popular due to its high efficiency in regeneration cycles and clean operation.

When shopping for water softener salt, consumers often encounter options like Morton, and Diamond Crystal Pellet Salt, Diamond Crystal Solar Salt, Dura-Cube, and Hardi-Cube. While they may appear similar, there are notable differences in quality, purity, and performance of your water treatment equipment.

Morton and Diamond Crystal Pellet Salt

What it is: Pellet salt is often less expensive and available in bulk from various manufacturers. It serves the basic purpose of softening water by regenerating the softener's ion-exchange resin.

Pros:

Lower cost
Available in big-box stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores
Available with iron removing additives

Cons:

Contains more insoluble impurities (dirt, silt, minerals)
Can lead to salt bridging (hard crusts) or mushing (sludge)
Requires more frequent maintenance and semi-annual brine tank cleaning

Morton and Diamond Crystal Pellet water softener salt is available at box stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores.

Dura-Cube® Water Softener Salt

Manufacturer: Cargill

What sets it apart: Dura-Cube is a premium brand of water softener cube salt known for its high purity and durability. Dura Cube Water Softener Salt is only sold by Water Treatment Dealers.

Features:

Typically 99.8% pure salt
Compressed under high pressure to reduce mushing and bridging
Available in regular, red-out (with rust remover), and potassium chloride options
Less insoluble material, which means cleaner operation

Best for:

Households looking for low-maintenance softener operation
Areas with high iron content (when using Red-Out Dura-Cube)
Protecting and extending the life of appliances

Dura-Cube water softener salt is only available at Water Treatment Dealers

Hardi-Cube® Water Softener Salt

Manufacturer: Cargill (Diamond Crystal branding)

What sets it apart: Hardi-Cube salt is the same as Dura-Cube. It is branded under Diamond Crystal. Hardi-Cube name is sold by retailers and water treatment dealers. In terms of quality and target market but may offer slightly different compressions and additives depending on the brand.

Features:

High-purity salt, 99.8% pure salt
Formulated to reduce bridging and mushing
Also available with additives like rust remover

Best for:

Consumers wanting high performance and reliability
Systems that benefit from rust-removing additives
Consistent, long-term water softener operation

Hardi_Cube Water Softener salt is available from Water Treatment Dealers and Select Hardware Stores such as ACE Hardware

Summary: Key Differences

Feature Pellet Salt Dura-Cube Hardi-Cube

Purity	Lower (varies)	~99.8% ~99.8%
Additives Available	(rust remover)	(Red-Out) (Red-Out)
Bridging/Mushing	Most likely	Less likely Less likely
Price	Cheapest	Higher Higher
Maintenance Needs	High	Low Low

Final Thoughts

While generic cube salt may be sufficient for some, investing in premium options like Dura-Cube or Hardi-Cube can offer long-term benefits. These include better water softener performance, reduced maintenance, and protection of household appliances. For those in areas with high iron or mineral content, these higher-purity options can make a noticeable difference in system efficiency and longevity.

Choosing the right water softener salt isn't just about price—it's about optimizing your home's water system for reliability and performance.

Where to find Water Softener Salt Near You:

Dura Cube: https://www.cargill.com/page/na/pros-pick-water-softener-and-pool-salt

Hardi Cube: https://www.diamondcrystalsalt.com/product/hardi-cube-water-softener-salt

Morton Pellet Salt: https://www.mortonsalt.com/where-to-buy/

I wish you Good days, and Good water!

"The Water Softener Blog"

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Mycoplasma Bacteria in Well Water: Health Risks, Hidden Dangers, and Effective Removal Strategies

Private well owners rely on the quality of their groundwater for safe and clean drinking water. While many are familiar with common contaminants such as coliform bacteria, nitrates, or heavy metals, fewer are aware of Mycoplasma—a genus of bacteria that can be present in well water and pose serious health risks. What makes Mycoplasma particularly insidious is its ability to hide in biofilms within household plumbing, making it difficult to detect and eradicate without targeted treatment.

What Are Mycoplasma Bacteria?

Mycoplasma are a group of bacteria lacking a cell wall, which makes them unique among prokaryotes. This structural difference renders them resistant to many conventional antibiotics (such as penicillin) that target bacterial cell walls. Common species include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes respiratory infections, and Mycoplasma hominis, associated with urogenital infections.

Although typically transmitted via person-to-person contact, Mycoplasma have been detected in water systems, especially where biofilms are present.

How Mycoplasma Enter and Survive in Well Water

Mycoplasma can infiltrate well systems through various routes:

Surface contamination: Poorly sealed wells or surface runoff can introduce bacteria from soil or animal waste.
Faulty septic systems: Leaching from septic tanks into groundwater can introduce pathogens, including Mycoplasma.
Cross-contamination: Shared plumbing with contaminated systems or unsanitized equipment can spread these bacteria.

Once introduced, Mycoplasma can colonize biofilms—complex communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces inside pipes, faucets, and water heaters. Biofilms protect bacteria from disinfectants, allow them to persist undetected, and periodically release pathogens back into the water supply.

Health Effects of Mycoplasma in Water

The presence of Mycoplasma in drinking water is not as well studied as other pathogens, but research suggests several potential health concerns:

Respiratory infections: Inhalation of aerosols containing Mycoplasma pneumoniae (e.g., during showering) can cause bronchitis or pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal symptoms: Contaminated drinking water may lead to nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps.
Chronic infections: For immunocompromised individuals, persistent exposure to Mycoplasma can cause prolonged or systemic infections.

Due to their small size and lack of a cell wall, Mycoplasma can evade traditional water testing methods and immune detection, making them a stealthy threat in household water systems.

Biofilms: The Hidden Habitat

Biofilms are a major contributor to persistent waterborne contamination. In a private well system, biofilms can form on:

The interior surfaces of pipes and faucets
Water softeners and filtration units
Hot water tanks and humidifiers

Mycoplasma thrive in these environments due to protection from environmental stresses and chemical disinfectants. This allows them to survive routine disinfection processes and recolonize water systems even after treatment.

Detecting Mycoplasma in Well Water

Detection requires more advanced techniques than standard bacterial testing:

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Highly sensitive genetic tests that can identify Mycoplasma DNA.
Specialized cultures: Some labs offer custom water tests specifically for Mycoplasma.
Microscopy and staining: Used in research or specialized diagnostic labs.

Regular testing for coliform bacteria won’t necessarily detect Mycoplasma, so if you suspect unusual illness linked to water usage, consider broader microbial testing.

Best Methods to Remove Mycoplasma from Private Well Water

To effectively combat Mycoplasma in well water, both immediate and long-term strategies are needed.

1. Shock Chlorination

A common method for disinfecting wells. It involves introducing a high dose of chlorine into the well and plumbing system to kill microorganisms.

Pros: Kills many bacteria, including those in water and some in biofilms.
Cons: May not penetrate deep enough into the well water column or mature biofilms; effectiveness against Mycoplasma is limited.

2. UV Water Purification

Ultraviolet light disrupts bacterial DNA, preventing reproduction.

Pros: Effective against Mycoplasma in free-floating (planktonic) state; chemical-free.
Cons: Does not remove biofilms; must be used in conjunction with pre-filtration for optimal performance.

3. Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants.

Pros: Effective at removing small bacteria like Mycoplasma; improves overall water quality.
Cons: Only treats water at one tap unless installed as a whole-house system.

4. Routine Biofilm Disruption

Mechanical and chemical cleaning of plumbing systems can help dislodge biofilms.

Flush lines and appliances regularly
Use biofilm-targeting cleaners (e.g., hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants)
Install filters that inhibit biofilm growth, such as those with silver, KDF filter media, or activated carbon with antimicrobial coatings

5. Well Maintenance and Sealing

Ensure your well casing and cap are intact and properly sealed to prevent surface infiltration. Annual inspections can prevent contaminants from entering in the first place.

"The Water Softener Blog" - Well Water Checklist

Conclusion

While Mycoplasma bacteria in well water may not yet be as widely recognized as E. coli or Giardia, their ability to survive in biofilms and cause health issues—especially in vulnerable populations—demands attention. Private well owners should remain vigilant, conduct regular water testing with a broader spectrum of microbial analysis, and invest in multi-layered water treatment strategies that target both water and biofilm-associated contaminants. With proactive maintenance and the right treatment technologies, the risk from Mycoplasma can be effectively managed.

Reference material for this article and information on Mycoplasma in water and how it effects your health.

Mycobacteria: Drinking Water Factsheet

Cleveland Clinic: Mycoplasma Health Issues

Survival of Mycoplasmas in water at Elevated Temperatures

5 Ntural Ways to Help Mycoplasma Treatment

Mycoplasma Contamination: Everything You Should Know

I wish you Good Days, and Good Water!

"The Water Softener Blog"