The City of Lompoc is reminding the community that residents are prohibited from installing self-regulating water softeners.
These devices increase salt coming into the city’s wastewater system.
The city is required to limit salt in its wastewater to meet water quality objectives mandated by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
The city says that keeping excess salt out of wastewater will help keep wastewater fees low for the public.
The city ordinance reads,”It is unlawful to install, replace, or enlarge apparatus for softening all or any part of the water supply to any premises when such apparatus is an ion-exchange softener or demineralizer of the type that is regenerated on the site of use with the regeneration wastes being discharged to the ground, storm drain, or City sewerage system, unless said softener or demineralizer meets or exceeds the standards specified in California Health and Safety Code.”
The code does not apply to softeners that are regenerated off-site by a water conditioning company.
People with questions on city policy regarding water softeners can contact Katrina Dorsey at k_dorsey@ci.lompoc.ca.us.
