We’re interested in using the gray water to water plants and trees, but from all I’ve read, softened water is bad for plants. Is it possible to use a gray water catchment system in a situation like this?
You are right - salt kills plants. Water softened with sodium is inappropriate for re-use in irrigation. For the same reason, people find that houseplants suffer badly on salt-softened water.
You have 2 options instead of a salt-based softener:
HydroFLOW Conditioner for Hard Water
Our favorite water-conserving alternative to conventional water softeners.
No chemicals. No backwash. No maintenance.
Pearl Plus water conditioner provides a chemical-free solution for the harmful effects of scale, corrosion, bacteria and algae in both residential and small commercial applications. In addition, it increases filtration efficiency via flocculation.
2. Use Potassium instead of Sodium in your softener. Potassium costs more, but doesn't have all the bad environmental consequences of salt.
the-dirty-secret-of-water-softeners-and-ro-systems: The waste a LOT of Water