Frequently asked questions 

 1. How does water softener work? 

City water has Calcium and Magnesium ions which cause the hardness. Water softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water and is usually installed at the point-of-entry of the water to the house except water to the garden and garage. A water softener is good for the home's plumbing and water related appliances. The resin in the softener has the ability to exchange one ion for another, holding it in chemical combination temporarily and giving it up to a stronger regenerating material. Thus in the water softening process, the resin is capable of exchanging calcium and magnesium for sodium, therefore removing, or greatly reducing the hardness of the water.

 2. How to choose the size of water softeners? 

In general, for a family of 3 or 4, water softener of 30000grains is good enough; softener of 40000~45000grains is suitable for a family of 5~7. Grains is the unit of water hardness. In Waterloo region the hardness of water is 20~25grains/gallon in Waterloo City, 25~30grains/gallon in Kitchener City, 30grains/gallon in Cambridge. 1 gallon=3.78 litre, 1 grain/gallon=17ppm. Let's say the hardness is 25grain/gallon. For a softener of 30000grain, 30000grain÷25grain/gallon=1200gallon; 1200gallon-200gallon (reserve)=1000gallon; 1000gallon×3.78=3780L; 3780L÷600L/day(3 persons)=6.3 days; 3780L÷800L/day(4 persons)=4.725 days. That's recommended to regenerate the softener every 7 days. For a softener of 40000grains, we can use the same method to calculate its capacity is 6048L, 6048L÷1000L/day(5 persons)=6 days. If you choose the softener too small for your family, then the softener regenerates too often and wastes water; on the other hand, if the softener is too large for your family, it's not economical. The best way is that your softener size has to match your family size.

 3. What is the reserve of water softener? 

Normally water softener regenerates at 2:00am in the morning. In order to make sure you always have soft water while using, the softener doesn't use up all of its capacity before regeneration. It has to keep 10~15% of its capacity as reserve for safe reason to make sure no hard water go through.

 4. What is the process of water softener? 

Normally water softener has five cycles of process:service, backwash, brine/slow rinse, fast rinse, refill.

1. In service status, city water goes through the softener resin. The  calcium and magnesium ions in the water exchange with the sodium ion in the resin. So soft water comes out from the rising tube with sodium ion while calcium and magnesium ions left in the resin.
2. In backwash process, city water enters from the rising tube, then goes through the resin bed and make the resin loose. Backwash removes dirt and impurities.
3. In brine/slow rinse process, brine water is sucked from the brine tank, goes through the rising tube and resin bed. Here the sodium ion exchange  with calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ion left in the resin while calcium and magnesium ions go to the the drain with the dirty water. In slow rinse process, water goes through nozzle to the rising tube, then to the resin bed. Hardness minerals and residue brine flush from the resin to the drain.
4. In fast rinse process, the water flows down through the resin bed, packs the resin bed and gets it ready for service. 
5. In refill process, water is filled to the brine tank and make brine for the next regeneration.

 5. What's the difference between timer type water softeners and meter type softeners? 

Normally softeners can be classified as timer type and meter type. Timer type softener has a pre-set date to regenerate. It doesn't know when is the best time to regenerate. Maybe regeneration is too late with some hard water going through, or too early with more capacity left, wasting water and salt. Meter type softener has a flow meter to monitor how much water you have used and it can schedule the right time to regenerate. So it can save water and salt, therefore it's more efficient.

 6. What's the difference between mechanical type water softeners and computerized softeners? 

Mechanical type softener can be regenerated by timer or meter. It's simple and economical. Computerized softener is normally regenerated by demand. We can set the hardness, reserve and other information very easily and more accurately. The computer type softener is more efficient, complicate and expensive.

 7. What's the difference between one unit type water softeners and separated type softeners? 

One unit type softener has water softener in the brine tank as a whole unit. It can save space, but the storage capacity of salt is reduced. It's more easier to form salt bridge and cause mulfunction of softener. Two units(separate type) softener has softener separated from brine tank. It has more storage capacity of salt and reduce the chance of forming salt bridge. It's more reliable and is the most popular type on the market.

 8. What's salt bridge for water softeners? 

Salt bridge is caused by  too much salt in the brine tank and rock salt. It more often happens in the one unit softener because less salt space increases the chance to form salt bridge. Normally water is refilled to the brine tank after regeneration and salt dissolves in the water. If salt level is too high then the water will  only dissolve the bottom salt. The upper salt will not drop because the weight of salt won't overcome the resistance of friction of salt especially when rock salt is used (the space is reduced in one unit softener with softener and float control in the brine tank). We recommend that processed salt(white and smooth) is used. It's more efficient and you don't need to clean the brine tank.

 9. What's the most common problems of water softeners ? 

1. No salt in the brine tank. So water softener regenerate without brine water and you will use hard water instead of soft water. Check your softener every one or two weeks to make sure the brine tank has salt always. It's too late when you see empty tank.

2. Too much salt in the brine tank. It will cause salt bridge. The concentration of the brine water is reduced and your softener will not recover to its full capacity after regeneration. How much salt in the tank? Rule of thumb:refill one bag of 20kg salt when the salt level is about 1~2 inches high, maximum 1/3 level of the tank for one unit softener, maximum 1/2 level of the tank for separated type softener(maximum 3 bags of 20kg salt).

 10. How can we know if the softener is working properly? 

The best way to find out if the softener is working or not is by testing. We can find out how much is the hardness of water going in the softener and coming out. Normally we think the softener is working properly if the hardness of soft water is less than 1 grain(about 96% hardness is removed for 25 grains hard water). Most people don't have the ability to test the water. They only rely on the usage of salt to tell if their softeners are working or by feeling. But sometimes that could be wrong and cause big problem. An annual water analysis is recommended for water softener to make sure it is working for you.

 11. How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?

Osmosis is the phenomenon of water flow through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks the transport of salts or other ions through it. Osmosis is a fundamental effect in all-biological systems. Osmosis is applied to water purification and other chemical laboratory and industrial processes. When two water volumes are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, water will flow from the side of low solute concentration to the side of high solute concentration. The flow may be stopped or even reversed by applying external pressure on the side of higher concentration. This is called reverse osmosis(RO).  Reverse osmosis is only one stage of a typical RO system. Sediment and carbon filtration is normally included in RO system, with each stage of filtration contributing to the purification process. 

1. The first stage of filtration is the sediment filter, which reduces suspended particles such as dirt, dust, and rust.
2. The second stage of filtration is the carbon filter, or filters which reduce volatile organic chemicals, chlorine, and other taste and odor causing compounds.
3. The Reverse Osmosis membrane is responsible for rejecting up to 98% of the total dissolved solids in the water. This is where the purification takes place.

12. What Is Meant By Total Dissolved Solids?

In the natural cycle of water, water that began its life as rain and eventually found its way to your tap has come in contact with many sources of potential contaminant. The various minerals and salts that have been dissolved by the water during this cycle are called Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

13.What Type Of Mineral Contaminants Are Removed By RO System?

Reduction of mineral components that make up total dissolved solids will vary up to a maximum of 99.8% depending on water chemistry and pressure.

Contaminate comparision chart for Reverse Osmosis to Faucet Mount Filter/Pitchers.

15. Does R.O. Remove Parasites Such As Bacteria, Cysts Or Cryptosporidium?

While a health claim can not be made because of intangibles such as regular maintenance, these items are too large to pass through the TFM membrane. NSF's rating for reduction of Giardia Cysts and Cryptosporidium is 1 micron, and the TFC membrane filters down to 1/10,000th of a micron. That is 10,000 times smaller than these parasites.

16. What's The Difference Between A CTA And TFM Membrane?

A CTA (Cellulose Triacetate) membrane is a paper by-product membrane bonded to a synthetic layer. Due to its cellulose composition, a CTA membrane requires chlorine in the water source to keep bacteria from forming on it. A CTA membrane has a rejection rate of between 85-94%. CTA membranes have an average life expectancy of 18-24 months and are considered inferior to TFC membranes. Premier only uses TFM (Thin Film Membrane) membranes, which are made of a synthetic material. A TFM membrane requires the chlorine be removed prior to the water entering the membrane. A TFM membrane has a rejection percentage between 95-98%, which is much higher than the CTA membrane. A TFM membrane will last between 2-3 years. Many hospitals use TFM membranes in their hemo-dialysis (kidney) machines because of the higher purity water they produce.

17. What Happens To The Impurities That Were In The Water?

 They are washed down the drain. Unlike filters, the RO membrane is self-cleaning. As the source water flows through the module, it is divided into two streams. One stream is forced through the membrane by osmotic pressure created due to the water pressure on each side of the semi-permeable membrane. The second stream carries the rejected salts, dissolved pollutants and contaminates to the drain. Therefore, there is a minimum accumulation of debris on the pressure side of the membrane. Charcoal or carbon filters, on the other hand, become less efficient with each glass of water drawn through them. Carbon filters only remove a limited number of contaminants, some odors, and some tastes.

18. Isn't Water Wasted Down The Drain With RO Systems?

There is a certain percentage of water from the system that goes to the drain. This water is carrying away the impurities. These particles are too small to be caught by the filters. RO system has an automatic shut-off valve that shuts off the flow of water to the drain when the holding tank is full. This valve stops the RO system from continuously running water down the drain, thus conserving water via the RO system working only according to usage.

19. What Is The Ratio Of Wastewater To The Pure Water Produced By  RO System?

The typical ratio is 3 to 1, based on incoming water temperature and pressure.

20.Can This Water Be Saved And Used?

Yes. Most wastewater today is recycled for golf courses and artificial lakes. The drain water is slightly higher in TDS concentration than the incoming water, but as RO does not add anything to the water, it can be used to water your lawn or garden.

21. What Is The Importance Of Water Pressure To RO System?

It is the pressure of water that forces the water through the membrane for purification and flushes the rejected solids away. Low water pressure will result in reduced production and premature fouling of the membrane. The ideal pressure for operating an R.O. system is 60 PSI. Pressure below 40 PSI is generally considered insufficient, and should be boosted using a pressure booster pump.

22. Will Iron Hurt RO System?

Yes. Iron will plug a RO membrane, as the membrane is not able to flush iron out. Trace amounts of iron (up to 2 PPM) can be removed by a water softener. If the water contains 1 PPM or less, there is no need for concern as the membrane will usually last 1-2 years. Note: This refers to clear water iron, not red iron. The difference is that clear water iron leaves no visible signs, whereas red iron leaves a reddish brown discoloration in toilet bowls, tanks, sinks and tubs. If red iron is present, steps to remove the iron will have to be taken, otherwise the warranty will be void.

23. Does The RO System Have To Be Mounted Under The Kitchen Sink?

No. The RO system can be mounted in a cabinet to either side of the kitchen sink or even mounted remotely in a garage or basement.

24. How Far Can A Line Be Run From The RO System?

Approximately 20-25 feet with ¼" Poly tubing. For runs longer than that, use 3/8" POLY tubing. Tubing that runs from the RO system to the icemaker should always be Poly tubing, not copper.

25. Why Not Use Copper Tubing For The Line To The Icemaker?

Due to RO water being very pure, it is what is known as "hungry water." RO water can leach the minerals out of the copper tubing and may cause a metallic taste in the ice cubes and over a period of time, the copper tubing can develop pinhole leaks.

26. How Will I Know The RO Is Removing The Dissolved Solids From The Tap Water?

You will be able to tell by the taste and clarity of the water. For example, ice cubes made with the RO water are harder, clearer, and last much longer. If you take two clean glasses of the same size and put ice cubes made with RO water in one and the same number of ice cubes made from tap water in the other, you will notice that it takes longer for the RO ice cubes to melt. Not only do ice cubes made with RO water last longer but juices and mixed drinks made with RO water taste better. When ice cubes made from tap water are melted in a glass, you will most likely see unsightly sediments on the bottom. This is not so with RO water. Another way of determining the amount of dissolved solids removed from tap water is by the use of a conductivity meter. This meter measures the conductivity the dissolved solids impart to the water. This is converted on the meter scale into parts per million of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Premier offers a water sample kit for the testing of a customer's water to determine how the TFM membrane is working and when to replace the membrane.

27. I Have A Water Softener. Doesn't That Treat My Drinking Water?

No. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water and is usually installed at the point-of-entry (P.O.E.) of the water to the house. A water softener is good for the home's plumbing and water related appliances, but does little to improve the taste or quality of your drinking water.

28. Will A Water Softener Harm The Reverse Osmosis (RO)?

No. Calcium and magnesium (limescale) are two of the hardest minerals for the RO membrane to remove. Sodium (added to the water by the softener) is much easier on the membrane and it will reject 98% of all sodium in the water. A water softener will help extend the life of the membrane.

29. Will An RO Soften Water?

Yes. RO water is softened through the reverse osmosis purification process; however hard water (above 7 grains of hardness) will shorten the life of the membrane. The harder the water, the shorter the life. Example: If your incoming water is 15 grains hard, you may only get 1 year of life from your membrane.