Water is the world’s most sensational solvent. To that point, its ability to dissolve rock and sediment has created some of the world’s most stunning sights, like the Grand Canyon. Not a bad body of work. However, when rock and limestone dissolve into freshwater, it results in high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the water, or “hard water.” As hard water evaporates, the concentration of minerals grows and results in water that forms scale buildup (a.k.a. saturation.)
So the question at hand is, “How much mineral content in your water is officially ‘too much’?” After all, low amounts of magnesium and calcium can actually supplement a healthy diet. But once your water is leaving scale deposits in its wake, chances are your water is too hard, and could benefit from being treated by a water softening solution.
What Do Water Softeners Do?
Industrial water softener system are specific ion exchangers that are designed to remove ions which are positively charged.
Softeners mainly remove calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) ions. Calcium and magnesium are often referred to as “hardness minerals”. Softeners are sometimes even applied to remove iron from water.
The softening devices are able to remove up to five milligrams per liter (5 mg/L) of dissolved iron and can operate automatic, semi-automatic, or manual. Each type is rated on the amount of hardness it can remove before regeneration is necessary. Commercial water softeners collect hardness minerals within its conditioning tank and from time to time flushes them away to drain.
When an ion exchanger is applied for water softening, it will replace the calcium and magnesium ions in the water with other ions, for instance sodium or potassium. The exchanger ions are added to the ion exchanger reservoir as sodium and potassium salts (NaCl and KCl).
Advantages For Water Softener Systems:
- Disallowing the buildup of scale from occurring in your home, business, industrial facility
- Extends the lifespan of your equipment or appliances (as a result of eradicating scaling)
- Provides more comfort to humans who are exposed to hard water and accumulate unwanted symptoms such as itchy skin, and discolored hair
- Automatically regenerated (Time-clock or metered)
How Long Does A Water Softener Last?
A good water softening equipment supplier will deliver a system that can last 15 years. Water softeners that were supplied in the early 2000’s may still work, and many need little maintenance, besides filling them with salt occasionally.
While water softeners do not last forever, they are designed to have long-lasting life value. Pure Aqua’s water softener systems can work well for up to 20 years, which makes our systems some of the most durable designs on the market.
How Often Should One Add Salt To A Softener?
Salt is usually added to the reservoir during regeneration of the softener. The more often a softener is regenerated, the more often salt needs to be added. Usually water softeners are checked twice a month and to guarantee a satisfactory production of soft water, the salt level should be kept at least half-full at all times.