How do they work?
A modern water softener consists of four basic components: a bed of ion exchange resin, a tank to hold it in, a valve or controller to shunt water through different cycles, and a salt container.
The plastic ion exchange resin is negatively charged so that it attracts positive ions, of which calcium, iron and sodium are three. Water flows down through the bed of resin beads, and the calcium (hardness mineral) and any iron* that may be present attach themselves to the beads. When most of the beads are covered with this unwanted mineral the control valve portion of the unit triggers a regeneration to clean off the beads. This is done by drawing a concentrated sodium or potassium solution from the salt tank through the resin bed, releasing the hardness mineral which then goes down the drain. Most of the sodium or potassium goes down the drain as well, but an amount equal to the calcium removed sticks to the beads. When the unit goes back into service and more water is conditioned, the calcium in this new water replaces the sodium or potassium on the beads. This displaced sodium or potassium is now part of the softened water. Hence the term ion exchange.

How long does a softener last?
We have an Autotrol control valve on display in our customer showroom in Kitchener that is 31 years old. It still works, but more importantly, you can still get all the replacement parts for it. Today the plastics are harder, the components are heat-welded instead of being screwed together. You can count on at least 30 years for a new control valve.

The resin tanks we use are seamless polyethylene, wrapped in fiberglass. They won't rust or corrode, and they last indefinitely.

The resin itself will last 20-30 years on clean, iron free water with minimal chlorine. Resin cleaner is available to rejuvenate the media, and the resin bed can be replaced if necessary.
A CITYSOFT water softener is a long-term investment.

Can I drink Soft Water?
A water softener replaces calcium with an equal amount of sodium. Depending on your water hardness, this could be a trace amount, or enough to taste. Although soft water makes better coffee and tea, it is not recommended as a main source of drinking water over an extended period of time.
If you use potassium chloride instead of the more readily available standard sodium based softener salt, drinking softened water is not a problem.

Is Softener discharge bad for my septic?
Not in our experience. Modern softeners use only a fraction of the salt and water that older models used. If you do have septic concerns, use potassium chloride as the regenerant. Potassium can be pumped anywhere outdoors.

What about Magnets?
As an alternative to salt-based softeners, magnets in one form or another have been on the market for a long time. The best of them are electro-magnets made in European countries where regular softeners are not allowed. These magnets align calcium molecules to reduce scale build-up, but they do not remove any calcium, and they do nothing for the soap reaction that causes scum in the bath and clouds on the dishes. The proof that salt-based softening is superior is in the fact that so much softener salt is sold. With its inconvenience, salt would soon disappear if there was a simple alternative to its use.

What about Salt?
Any type or brand of water softener salt can be used with CITYSOFT softeners. As with any softener, the trick is not to fill the tank. A tank full of salt weighs at least 300 lbs. All that weight tends to crush what's on the bottom and then it hardens.
Put in 20-50 kgs. at a time and let the tank go almost empty between fillings. You'll never have a problem, and you can use the salt that's on sale - no matter what brand it is!

*Potassium chloride is an acceptable substitute for the more readily available (and cheaper) standard sodium-based softener salt. If you choose to use potassium for health or environmental reasons, remember to increase the salt amount setting on your softener by 10%. Rather than worry about sodium versus potassium for drinking water, look to our Reverse Osmosis page for a much better alternative.

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