How a Water Softener Works

The tall softener tank contains special resin beads whose surfaces attract hardness "ions." These particles cling to the resin's surface and stay there until they are flushed down a drain during the regeneration process.

The regeneration cycle performs an "ion exchange." It is the simplest and most natural means to soften water. Unwanted minerals are removed from water without using chemicals. You'll feel the difference with your first bath or shower!

The Sani-System

Like millions of people in America, you may have water quality treatment equipment installed in your home. You count on those systems to provide all the benefits of softened water and clean drinking water.

But if your water treatment equipment is not properly sanitized, bacteria can grow and multiply wherever the water sits, including on the inside surfaces of tanks and hoses. When water sits, chlorine levels drop, reducing its chemical ability to prevent bacterial growth. Filters can also filter out chlorine, making the water more susceptible to bacterial growth.

That’s why Water Quality Professionals rely on Sani-System Liquid Sanitizer Concentrate. Specially designed to maintain the quality and performance of water softeners and reverse osmosis (RO) units, Sani-System sets the standard for sanitizing.

Download Sani-System Brochure

Download Sani-System Softener Insert

Download Sani-System RO Insert

Why Soft Water is Better

Water hardness is actually dissolved rock! Calcium and Magnesium can cause scale build-up in pipes and hot water tanks, and cause laundry to come out stiff and gray. When iron is present, sinks, fixtures and clothes can be stained or ruined. It takes more energy and cost to heat hard water, plus you can use twice the amount of soaps, detergents, shampoos and related products compared to soft water.

Soft water can prevent soap build up and can give skin and hair a silky look and feel. Clothes are brighter and last longer without deposits trapped in their fabric. Water pipes and appliances run more efficiently without scaling.

The Regeneration Cycle

After a period of time, the resin beads need to be "regenerated." A brine solution saturates the resin tank and drives off the hardness particles collected on the resin beads. This is how it works:
• Backwash: The control valve directs a reverse flow of water through the resin tank, separating the resin beads and flushing any accumulated particles to a drain.
• Brine & Rinse: The control valve directs the brine solution (from the short salt storage tank) downward through the mineral tank, driving off collected hardness ions and replenishing the resin beads with sodium ions. The tank is then rinsed to remove excess brine from the resin tank.
• Brine Refill: Fresh water is put into the salt storage tank to create a new brine solution for the next regeneration.
• Service: The control valve returns to its normal operating position to convert hard water into luxurious soft water.

Does Soft Water Have More Sodium?

The brine or salt water used during regeneration leaves only a small amount of sodium ions in the resin bed. This sodium is imparted into the water supply during softening. However, it is negligible and you won't add a salty taste to your water. In fact, two slices of white bread have more sodium than a half-gallon of softened water! (See Sodium Intake Chart)

Sodium Intake Chart

Fully Automatic or Demand Meter Systems

CSI water softeners are available in cabinet or two tank models. In both styles the Signature Series™ control valve does all the work in maintaining a CSI softener system. All you need to do is occasionally add salt to the brine tank as needed. CSI offers three choices in softener systems:

• A standard valve head that automatically regenerates the softener from a timing device set based on the size of the softener and your household's usage.

• A metered valve head that triggers regeneration based on the amount of water that you use and the size of the softener.

• An alternating twin system that has two resin tanks; one in service and one in reserve. It automatically switches the tank in service when it needs regeneration. You are never without soft water.

Sizing and Adjusting Our Water Softener

Selecting the right water softener for your home or business begins with an analysis of your water characteristics. From this test the actual hardness level, or grains per gallon, will be determined and the proper softener size for your home and family usage can be determined. Your CSI dealer will then set the valve controls to match your household requirements for your water's hardness level.

Terminatr Water Softeners

The Terminatr™ from CSI is a water softener with a difference. Utilizing fine mesh cation exchange resin, the Terminatr™ has a much higher capacity for hardness and iron reduction along with providing sediment and rust particle filtration. It's like having a filter and softener in one system! The fine mesh resin bed is supported by special garnet sand providing excellent flow characteristics and reduced pressure drop. The Terminatr™ is extremely efficient providing more capacity per pound of salt and using less water for regeneration than traditional softeners.

Signature Duplex Water Softeners

CSI's Signature Duplex water softeners are the finest in the softening industry. This versatile model softens water through one resin tank while a second resin tank remains in a stand-by mode. When the integral water meter indicates a need to regenerate, the stand-by tank automatically is put on line to provide uninterrupted soft water while the exhausted resin tank is regenerated. This freshly regenerated tank will then remain in stand-by until the meter triggers another regeneration. The Signature Duplex can regenerate anytime, day or night, without hard water breakthrough. And, because soft water is always available, regeneration is accomplished with treated water, keeping the resin bed cleaner than conventional softeners.

Signature Series Filter Brochure

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