Softeners

Hardness (calcium and magnesium)

• Common in Ontario due to our limestone geology
• Causes water marks, build up in water heaters and pipes, affects soaps and detergents
• Removed by Ion exchange water softener. 

Ion Exchange (Water Softener)

• Uses cation resin. Negatively charged plastic beads that attract Calcium Ca +
• Recharge uses a salt or brine mix.
• Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride.
• Come in various sizes and configurations to accommodate hardness levels, demand, and flow rates
• Will remove iron and manganese
• Resin can be ion specific. ie. arsenic removal, nitrate, tannin….

Disadvantages of water softeners:

• Increase sodium content of water if Sodium Chloride is used. 
• General comparison - 1 slice of white enriched bread = 1 gal of soft water @ 17 gpg
• Does not remove bacteria contaminants