How Water Softeners Work

How Water Softeners Work

Water softeners, how they work

Have you ever wondered how water softeners work? It’s quite simple, and the idea is based on turning ‘hard’ water into ‘soft’ water. Hard water causes all sorts of problems and is the main source of limescale that appears inside pipes, water tanks and boilers. Limescale comprising magnesium and calcium is left over once hard water has evaporated staining sinks, baths, shower cubicles, toilets and taps. Limescale will also reduce the effectiveness of household appliances such as washing machines and kettles.

Put simply, water softeners wash hard water through a resin bed to remove the hardness (calcium and magnesium deposits). The calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with trouble-free sodium ions (ion exchange). The small amount of sodium added to the water equates to a lot less per glass of water than is found in many foods.

With the calcium and magnesium ions removed the household is left with luxuriously soft water.

The softener will periodically carry out a self-cleaning process to wash away the calcium and magensium deposits that have been collected by the resin beads. A brine solution washes the deposits away and reintroduces sodium ions to the resin beads. This process is called regeneration or recharge. The dirty brine then leaves the system and flows out into a drain. Fresh water cleans the resin bed to return the water softener back to normal working use.

Ecowater Water Softeners

EcoWater Systems is the largest and oldest water treatment company in the world.  The Ecowater range of domestic water softeners are designed, engineered and manufactured in our own facilities, to make sure you get the best. Please give us a call or see our FAQ page for more information about what we offer.