1. Hard water passes though a control unit into the resin vessel.
2. Calcium and Magnesium, constituents of water hardness, are attached to the Sodium saturated resin beads, usually sulphonated polystyrene.
3. This simultaneously releases Sodium ions and water hardness is eliminated. The process is called ion exchange.
4. When the resin becomes saturated with Calcium and Magnesium it is recharged by passing a salt solution through the resin.
• Water hardness
• Litres of water used per day
• Maximum flow rate
• Fill rate to tank requirements
After purchasing your water softener
| To start with you will get softened water from any taps directly from the main via the softener. Over the next few days the softened water will work its way through your water system and you will notice that all of your supply will gradually become soft. We do not recommend that you drain down your system as this can cause an airlock and you may then need the assistance of a qualified plumber. When bathing you will notice that you need less soap, shampoo and shaving cream, and your bathroom fittings will stay clean and bright without you having to spend hour cleaning them. |  |
We recommend that you use the purer cleansing products that are available as they seem to work more effectively with softened water. Why not try wet shaving again instead of your electric shaver, you should find that your skin is less irritated. We must point out that the combination of softened water and soap can cause the bath to be more slippery. We suggest that you take care of the young and elderly and use a non-slip bath mat if necessary. More bubbles in your bath will make the whole bathing experience more luxurious and fun. Even your washing up can be more enjoyable. Softened water together with one of the more ecological safe washing liquids is kinder to your hands. You can use up to 50% less liquid and if you leave your dishes to drain they will sparkle like new. Your washing machine will benefit from softened water because the element will not scale up and therefore will last longer without the need for expensive maintenance. Dramatic savings can be made by reducing your washing powder or liquid by as much as 75%. The best thing you can do is gradually reduce the amount you use until you are happy with the results. Again we recommend the purer products as many of our customers tell us they work better in softened water. More savings can be made by reducing the amount of fabric conditioner you use. Many people stop using it altogether, although you may need to use some to avoid static in your tumble dryer. Dishwashers generally will be connected to the softened water supply, this means that you will no longer need to put salt into your dishwasher. Most of our customers find that they can reduce the amount of powder and rinse aid that they use and some stop using rinse aid altogether. We do, however recommend that crystal glass and silver plate should not be washed in the dishwasher as etching can occur.
How much sodium is there in softened water?
The average daily intake of sodium from all sources for an adult is 3500mg (9g of salt), but experts advising the Department of Health recommend a reduction of about 2300mg (6g of salt). Many natural and manufactured foods and drinks contain sodium, and contribute to this total intake.Typical examples are - two glasses of milk contain 325mg of sodium, and two slices of bread contain 375mg.For comparison, an adult in an average hard water area (300 mg/l calcium carbonate) drinking 4 pints (2 litres) of artificial softened water per day would add only 310mg of sodium (or less than 9%) to their average daily intake. Information above extracted from the Independent Consumers Guide to Water Softeners by British Water. There is a UK water bylaw in force today that means that one tap in the house is left hard. In practice this usually means a third mini tap at the kitchen sink. The two main pillar taps are softened and the mini tap provides hard water.
