Water Softener Systems

Nature purifies water through a process called the hydrological cycle. This is where water evaporates from streams, lakes and other surface water rising to the sky in the form of a vapor. In this vapor state, water is as pure as it can be with all contaminants left behind.  When enough water vapor has joined together in the form of clouds, it falls to the earth as rain, snow, etc. This moisture is relatively free form impurities with the exception of contaminants collected from the air during its journey down.
As soon as it reaches the ground, water begins to dissolve and collect everything from rocks to pesticides.  The path that water takes to get to us determines the type of natural problems it can have. Water is sometimes referred to as nature's solvent because it is "hungry" and able to dissolve whatever it touches.
If water passes through earth containing shale, limestone and other "soft" rocks, it dissolves and carries calcium and magnesium causing "hard" water problems. Hard water leaves behind ruined pipes and appliances, hard to clean stains and it dries out your skin and hair. Also, this condition can lead to the waste of soaps, shampoos and detergents.
If water passes through ground containing iron-bearing rock, it will collect iron and cause rust stains as well as other iron-related problems.  Rust will discolor your laundry, leave hard to clean stains and jeopardize the quality of the water you drink.
In some areas, rock formations are granite, marble or other extremely hard stone. When water passes through these elements, it cannot dissolve anything and remains very aggressive or acidic in nature. This water begins dissolving or eating away pipes, chrome plumbing fixtures, and etching glassware and china.
Water also collects tastes and odors from gases, decayed vegetation, minerals and organic materials. A common taste and odor problem is caused by the absorption of hydrogen and sulfide, which creates a rotten egg taste and odor in water. 
These are just some of the more common problems caused by water's natural ability to dissolve and collect natural contaminants that get in its path. Many more problems are caused by water picking up contaminants by our industrial and modern society. A quick look around readily shows you the many ways we are polluting our water supply. If you can't see examples first hand, the media provide examples almost daily.
Petrochemical spills and leaks from decades ago continue to seep into our underground water supply. Rain and melting snow carry pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers into our streams, rivers, lakes and wells. Thousands of new chemicals and compounds have been invented in the past few years while effective methods for disposing of them after use have not kept pace. There are approximately 300,000 man-made compounds in existence.  Approximately 400 are known animal carcinogens and 200 are human carcinogens. The rest we know very little about!

Hard Water is easily spotted because it creates a bathtub ring. Hardness minerals and soap collect to form a scum that appears on shower walls, clings to hair, clogs skin pores and makes cleaning difficult. Hard water also can clog pipes, cause water heaters to operate inefficiently, and increase maintenance on water-using appliances. Hard water is caused by water passing through rock formations and picking up calcium and magnesium. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon.
Water hardness is corrected by the use of a water softener/conditioner.  The hard water passes through a tank containing resin beads holding sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium ions thus softening the water.  When the beads have trapped all the hardness they can hold, the unit is regenerated (recharged) with salt brine to replace the hardness ions with sodium ions. The unit is then ready to soften water again. The number of grains per gallon are measured and combined with water usage statistics to accurately calculate and set equipment regeneration cycles.

Iron stains on sinks, clothing and linens indicate the presence of iron in water. Iron can also form scale in pipes and water-using appliances, and make water and water using beverages look and smell bad. Iron is measured in parts per million. A professional water-testing kit can determine how much iron is present in a home and what type of iron it is.  Iron in water is caused by water passing through iron-bearing strata in the earth. It can also be caused, usually temporarily, by water standing in iron pipes. There are three types of iron that cause problems:

Clear water iron - Water is clear when drawn from the tap. It turns red after standing for a time as the iron mixes with the air and oxidizes.

Red water iron - Water is red when drawn from the tap. The iron has already oxidized in the ground, well or water system.

Bacterial iron - Water has slimy rust or yellowish globs in it. The cause is bacteria in the water that feeds on iron. While the bacteria is not harmful to the health, it is unpleasant to look at and can clog up plumbing.

Small amounts of clear water iron can be corrected by a water softener. Red water iron and larger amounts of clear water iron can be controlled by running water through a filter containing an oxygen-rich mineral. The mineral oxidizes the iron into solid particles that can then be trapped in the filter and washed down the drain. Extreme amounts of iron are best controlled by using a chemical feed system that puts chlorine into the water to oxide the iron. To treat bacterial iron, the well and system need to be "shocked" with heavy chlorinating and then maintained by a filter or feed system.

Acid water cannot be detected by the water's appearance, feel or odor. Its symptoms, however, are very apparent. Acid water, in conjunction with copper fittings and fixtures, can cause blue-green stains on plumbing fixtures, and eat away chrome faucets, fitting and pipes. It can etch china and glassware, and corrode water-using appliances.  Acid water is caused by water passing through hard rock such as granite or marble. Water, by its nature, wants to dissolve something, and when it passes through materials it can't dissolve, it comes to us in a "hungry" state and starts eating away everything it touches. The degree of problems experienced will be determined by the pH scale which measures acidity on a scale of 1 to 14. With 7 as a neutral, water registering above 7 is alkaline and below 7 is acidic. A professional water-testing kit can test for the degree of acidity in a water supply.  Slightly acidic conditions can be controlled by running water through a filter tank containing a neutralizing compound. More extreme conditions can be controlled using a chemical feed system that injects a liquid state neutralizer into water. Also, a phosphate feeder can be used to coat all water-bearing surfaces with a film that helps eliminate acidic damage.

Turbidity is simply dirt or other suspended materials in water. You can detect turbidity by visual inspection. In addition to being unpleasant to look at, turbid water can clog small water-bearing openings and cause wear on valves, seats and washers.
Turbidity is caused by dirt and sand getting into wells, or by runoff of other organic matter into water supplies.
Suspended materials in water can be trapped in a tank filter containing a bed of filtering media. Small amounts of turbidity can be handled with a cartridge filter.

Tastes and odors in water do not normally cause physical problems but can be very objectionable.  Tastes and odors are caused by many things including chlorine, decaying organic matter, and dissolved gases or minerals. The presence of hydrogen sulfide, which tastes and smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, is caused by decaying vegetation and oil deposits beneath the earth's surface.
Most tastes and odors can be easily treated by a tank filter containing activated carbon. The carbon absorbs the taste or odor. Minor problems can be treated by a single filter. Hydrogen sulfide is a different problem requiring a different type of treatment. Low levels of hydrogen sulfide can be treated with an iron filter followed by a water softener, while high levels require a chemical feed pump followed by a turbidity filter.

Drinking water contaminants cannot be detected except by total dissolved solids testing or lab tests.
Drinking water contaminants can be either naturally occurring or man-made. See the EPA Water Contaminant Chart for specific causes.
Depending on the contaminant, there are various methods of treating water. Carbon filters, reverse osmosis drinking water systems and distillers are a few.
The most common water tests are for: hardness, iron, acid, chlorine, nitrates and total dissolved solids. Water suspected to contain bacteria must be tested by a laboratory.
In cases where laboratory testing might be required, water samples can often be mailed to a lab or submitted by a water treatment professional. To locate a reputable water testing lab in your area, look in the Yellow Pages under Water Analysis, Water Testing or Lab, Testing. Or, contact your state Department of Health for a list of certified labs in your area.

Commercial softeners and filters are used by a wide variety of businesses, retail establishments and schools. These include hotels, restaurants, apartments, hospitals, health clubs, shopping centers, office buildings and car washes.

Running a business uses a lot of water; it's important to have the hard facts: Minerals in water cost businesses millions of dollars annually in maintenance, premature replacement of equipment, plumbing, linens, towels and laundry.

With conditioned water, you'll save on energy, plumbing repairs and general maintenance. You can extend the life of linens, fixtures, and appliances. And you can save on chemicals, detergents and coffee and other beverages made from concentrate. Your customers will also enjoy softer towels, cleaner glassware and better tasting coffee.

You'll have the treated water you need, when you need it. EcoWater's exclusive regeneration process makes your water system more efficient. High performance resin, approved by the FDA, conditions your water with prime effectiveness. And our systems are easy and economical to use simple to service and maintain.

For more information:
 pdf documents • FA/FB Models • FC-ED Models • EPA Water Contaminant Chart •