Water Softener Drain Into Sewer Line

The softener drain line must have an air gap to the drain.

Water softener drain into sewer line.

On water softener service calls in minnesota we find a wide variety of drain line material being used. I have a less than ideal situation of my water softener draining into my sump pit. So i am good for 8 ft. According to most plumbing codes a water softener drain line must not be connected directly to the household waste system.

This is to prevent non potable water from flowing backwards possibly mixing and contaminating potable drinking water. The manual says the drain can be extended upwards of 6 ft. By code water softeners must be emptied into a laundry sink floor drain sump hole or properly trapped special outlet preserving an air gap of at. I would like to instead drain it into the sanitary sewer.

Many of the home improvement stores sell big box water softeners and installation kits to get them connected. To hit the 1 5 pvc. In most communities it is illegal to connect the water softener drain directly to the home drain system without an air gap. However its in basement and has to travel upward of 6 8 ft.

Often the drain lines are run to a floor drain but you can also extend the drain line into the standpipe that also drains a washing machine or into a utility sink or sump pit. If the floor drain connects only to a sump pit it s probably against local ordinances to drain any water that contains detergents salt or chemicals. The way it is configured if he had simply run the drain line up a couple inches then 90 s it and 90 d it again so the line was in fee air above the standpipe he d have had an air gap. If the drain connects to the sewer system it s suitable for draining a washing machine water softener or basement laundry sink.