SOFTPRO INSTALLATION GUIDE
©2020 Quality Water Treatment. All rights reserved.
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HOW YOUR WATER CONDITIONER WORKS
WHY WATER GETS HARD AND HOW IT IS SOFTENED
All the freshwater in the world originally falls as rain,
snow, or sleet. Surface water is drawn upward by the
sun, forming clouds. Then, nearly pure, and soft as it
starts to fall, it begins to collect impurities as it passes
through smog and dust-laden atmosphere. And as it
seeps through soil and rocks it gathers hardness, rust,
acid, unpleasant tastes, and odour.
Water hardness is caused primarily by limestone
dissolved from the earth by rainwater. Because of this, in
earlier times people who wanted soft water collected
rainwater from roofs in rain barrels and cisterns before it
picked up hardness from the earth.
Some localities have corrosive water. A softener cannot
correct this problem and so its printed warranty
disclaims liability for corrosion of plumbing lines,
fixtures, or appliances.
Iron is a common water problem. The chemical/ physical
nature of iron found in natural water supplies is exhibited
in four general types: (Applies to private well or surface
water applications only.)
1)
Dissolved Iron—Also called ferrous or “clear
water” iron. This type of iron can be removed
from the water by the same ion exchange
principle that removes the hardness elements,
calcium, and magnesium. Dissolved iron is
soluble in water and is detected by taking a
sample of the water to be treated in a clear glass.
The water in the glass is initially clear, but on
standing exposed to the air, it may gradually turn
cloudy or coloured as it oxidizes. Applies to
private well or surface water applications only.
2)
Particulate Iron—Also called ferric or colloidal
iron. This type of iron is an undissolved particle
of iron. A softener will remove larger particles,
but they may not be washed out in regeneration
effectively and will eventually foul the ion
exchange resin. A filtering treatment will be
required to remove this type of iron. Applies to
private well or surface water applications only.
3)
Organic Bound Iron—this type of iron is strongly
attached to an organic compound in the water.
The ion exchange process alone cannot break
this attachment and the softener will not remove
this type of iron. Applies to private well or
surface water applications only.
4)
Bacterial Iron—this type of iron is protected
inside a bacteria cell. Like the organic bound iron,
it is not removed by a water softener. Applies to
private well or surface water applications only.
ATTENTION: Iron content must not exceed 1 ppm.
Beyond 1 ppm an iron softener must be used. Periodic
media cleaning is required by Pro-Res Cleaner is iron level
exceed 0.3 ppm. Applies to private well or surface water
applications only.
When using a softener to remove both hardness and
dissolved iron it is important that it regenerates more
frequently than ordinarily would be calculated for
hardness removal alone. Although many factors and
formulas have been used to determine this frequency, it
is recommended that the softener be regenerated when
it has reached 50–75% of the calculated hardness alone
capacity. This will minimize the potential for bed fouling.
Applies to private well or surface water applications only.
If you are operating a water softener on clear water
iron, regular resin bed cleaning is needed to keep the
bed from coating with iron. Even when operating a
softener on water with less than the maximum of
dissolved iron, regular cleanings should be performed.
Clean every six months or more often if iron appears in
your conditioned water supply. Use resin bed cleaning
compounds carefully following the directions on the
container. Applies to private well or surface water
applications only.
HOW A WATER SOFTENER WORKS
