4
SOFT WATER BASICS
Hardness
Excess amounts of calcium and magnesium in water produce
hardness. A water softener removes the majority of calcium and
magnesium to produce softened water.
Hardness is measured in terms of grains. (This grain weight
is derived from the average weight of a dry grain of wheat.)
When your water is tested, the grain hardness is calculated and
expressed as grains per gallon (gpg). This calculation determines
what type and size of water softener will most efficiently soften
the water.
A water softener contains an ion exchange media
(sometimes called resin) which removes the hardness from
water as it flows through the softener tank. Eventually so much
hardness collects on the exchange media that the softener can
no longer soften water. At this point it is considered "exhausted".
Regeneration is now necessary.
Regeneration
To regenerate the exchange media, it must be rinsed with a
brine (salt) solution. This removes the hardness from the exchange
media and replaces it with sodium. The exchange media is then
ready to remove hardness from water. The hardness minerals
and excess brine solution are rinsed down the drain.
During the regeneration cycle the softener is also back-
washed. This reversing of the normal flow of water serves to
remove sediment which may have accumulated during the soft-
ening process due to the filtering action of the exchange media.
Backwashing also loosens and fluffs up the bed of exchange
media to insure that during regeneration the brine solution will
come into contact with all the media.
Figure 1
Maintenance of Your Softener
Salt:
Salt to a softener is what gasoline is to a car. Not only must a softener have salt, but it should be the proper type to insure
efficient recharging of the unit. Ask your dealer what type of salt may best suit your needs. Always have an adequate supply of salt on
hand. Check the salt level of your brine tank every couple of weeks initially to determine how much salt you use - this will depend on
how much water you use. Fill the tank approximately three-fourths full, with a minimum of 12” of salt. DO NOT USE block salt when the
H-151 control is programmed with a brine tank prefill. Block salt does not dissolve quick enough to provide a good regeneration.
Cleaning Brine Tank:
Salt tank may require periodic cleaning. Inspect the brine tank at least once a year for buildup of insoluble
materials. It is recommended to periodically clean the brine tank no matter what kind of salt you are using. See page 21, Miscellaneous
#2 for details on cleaning.
REMEMBER:
Salt is the fuel to run your water softener. Buy the
best clean salt available.
This water softener is not intended to be used for treating water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without
adequate disinfection before or after treatment.
Units larger than 150K contain air check as standard brine
tank assembly.
