Rachel wrote:

>I suggest that people who use water softeners have the plumber put a by-pass
>on the water line going to the sink so that it does not go through the
>softener.  In this way you avoid drinking the softened water,

Or only soften the hot water, and only use cold water for cooking and
drinking. Then, if there aren't too many people living at home, lower the
hot water temperature, so that showers are mostly hot water. (Almost all
dishwashers these days heat the water.)

Don.