6
How a Water Softener Works
Softening Cycle
Whenthe water softener is providingsoft water, it is called “service”or the “softening cycle”.During
this cycle, hard water flows from the main water pipe in the household into the water softener. Inside
the resin tank is a bed made up of thousands of tiny, plastic resin beads. As hard water passes through
the bed,each bead attractsand holds the hardness minerals. Water without the hardness minerals (soft
water) flows from the water sof tener to the rest of the house.
Regeneration Cycle
Eventually the beads become coated with calciumor magnesiumions. Atthis point,the water softener
needs to rep lenish the beads with sodium ions. This process is c alled “ regeneration”.
Regeneration occurs when the resin beads are washed with a strong salt water solution. The sodium
forces thecalcium andmagnesium ionsto be released where they are then discharged aswaste during
the regeneration cycle. The beads are then ready to once again to collect the hardness minerals
(calciumandmagnesium) fromthe water.Regenerationconsistsof fivecycles;brinefill,brining,brine
rinse, backwash and fast rinse. The total time of the regeneration cycle is approximately two hours.
Water Conditioning Information
Water Conditioning
Water conditioning is the treatment of four general conditions. These are:
Hardness
Iron
Acidity
Sediments
1. Hardness is a term to describe the presence of calcium and magnesium minerals in water. A
chemical analysis accurately measures the amount of minerals in grain weight. For example, one
gallon of water with 5 grains per gallon (gpg) hardness has dissolved minerals, that if solidified,
aboutequalsthe size ofone ordinary aspirin tablet.One gallonof water,25 gpghard,has amineral
content equal in size to 5 aspirin tablets. Water hardness varies greatly across the country. It
generally contains from 3 to 100 gpg.
Har dness minera ls combine with soap to make a soap curd. The curd greatly reduces the cleaning
action of soap. Precipitated hardness minerals form a crust on cooking utensils, appliances, and
plumbing fixtures. Even the tastes of foods are affected. A water softener removes the hardness
minerals to eliminate these effects, and others.
IMPORTANT: Water softeners using sodium chloride (salt) for regeneration add sodium to the
water. Persons onsodium restricted diets should consider the added sodiumas partof theiroverall
intake.Watersoftenersusingpotassiumchloride(salt)forregenerationaddpotassiumtothewater.
Persons on potassium restricted diets should consider the added potassium as part of their overall
intake.
