Water softening is the removal of calcium, magnesium and certain other cations in hard water. (A cation is an ion with a positive charge.) The resulting soft water requires less soap for the same cleaning effort as soap is not wasted bonding with calcium ions. Soft water also extends the lifetime of plumbing and equipment by reducing or eliminating limescale build-up.
An anion is an ion with more electrons than protons giving it a net negative charge (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged.)
A cation is an ion with fewer electrons than protons giving it a positive charge.
Water Softening Methods
Water Softeners work by a process called ion exchange utilizing a sodium based resin that traps hard water minerals such as magnesium and calcium exchanging them with sodium ions.
Dealkalization Units use ion exchange to remove hard water causing minerals and exchanging them for harmless hydrogen molecules which means the water is potable and can be used in food and beverage appliances such as espresso machines, steam ovens, and ice machines.
Softening does not lower TDS (total dissolved solids) or remove other types of minerals but is recommended for high-efficiency reverse osmosis (RO) Systems and as a pre-treatment for filtration and other reverse osmosis systems.
Protect Your Business from Hard Water Problems
At Sierra Filtration Services we know that figuring out the quality of the water supply you have and how to improve it is confusing. Let us help you with a thorough water analysis and custom water solution designed for your business. Call us at 1-800-951-FILTER (3458) today.
Sierra Filtration Services Custom Water Solutions 