5700-E Softener Installation & Startup Guide
Page 5
www.cleanwaterstore.com
Rev 091514
5.
You do not need unions to install your 5700-E control. If you need to remove it, the 5700-E has quick-
release couplings that make it easy to put the softener on by-pass and remove the filter system from
the piping.
6.
The drain line tubing (not supplied) is connected to a drain from the drain outlet using flexible ½” ID
tubing. Note that the drain can run up above the 5700-E control and into a drain, it does not have to
drain down, as the filter backwashes under line pressure from your well pump. Most plumbing codes
require an air-gap connection, so that if your sewer or septic tank backs up, it cannot cross connect
with the drain tubing.
How Your Softener Works
See Fig 1. In the softener, water enters the top of the tank and flows down through the media and up the
distributor tube. Hardness minerals are drawn to the resin beads in the softener. During backwash, the
water flow is reversed and water flows down the distributor tube and up through the media, lifting and
expanding the softening media, and removing any trapped particles. After the backwash stage, salt brine is
automatically drawn in from the brine tank which then slowly rinses through the softening resin for 1 hour,
allowing the hardness minerals to be swapped out with harmless sodium or potassium ions. This entire
automatic process, called ‘regeneration’ takes about 90 minutes. Typically the softener filter is set to
regenerate every 14-21 days, during the middle of the night when no water is being used.
Fig 1: How Your Softener Works