Water Conditioning

Water conditioning is a major market for salt.

Most water softening systems pass the water through a bed of special resins, which can exchange sodium ions for the "hard" calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Eventually, the resin exhausts its sodium and must be "recharged." This is done by running salt brine, containing sodium, through the resin bed, removing the calcium and magnesium ions from the bed and leaving a new supply of sodium. The brine is produced by the addition of salt to the water softener.  The calcium, magnesium and any excess salt is discharged.   Sodium ions are added to softened water; less than 8 mg per liter per grain of hardness.   Many websites discuss how ion-exchange water conditioners work.

Many industries require softened water for such uses as processing and dyeing textiles, tanning leather, cleaning dairy equipment and commercial laundering. Water softening systems are installed in some municipal water systems for the dual purpose of protecting the plant equipment and better serving industrial and residential users. But the greatest use of water softeners is in homes. People have come to expect quality in their water as well as in other things in their lives.

The Salt Institute has produced a summary of the benefits of water softening that many water treatment dealers find useful in answering questions which arise during sales presentations.  U.S. EPA has a good summary handout too.  If you are looking for information about the quality of salt for water softener use, these two articles will be helpful .

I just wanted you all to understand the theory behind the salt thing. believe me, it has been a savior for me .

Ever since I learned this years ago it has not failed me once!!! So when a cliant with medium to course white/grey hair sits in my chair you better believe I,m going to soften it  with a DASH OF SALT . He he he he, oh yea.........