Water softening is the removal of calcium, magnesium, and certain other metal cations in hard water. The resulting soft water requires less soap for the same cleaning effort, as soap is not wasted bonding with calcium ions. Soft water also extends the lifetime of plumbing by reducing or eliminating scale build-up in pipes and fittings. Water softening is usually achieved using lime softening or ion-exchange resins but is increasingly being accomplished using Nano filtration [citation needed] or reverse osmosis membranes.

          Removing or replacing minerals in hard water is called water softening. An alternative water treatment is called water conditioning, in which minerals remain in the water, but are altered so they do not form scale. Although the United States has standards for measuring the minerals in water, it does not have standards for measuring scale forming ability of water. Instead, US researchers use the German DVGW-W512 protocol. [15]

         When hard water is heated in a plumbing system, carbon dioxide goes out of solution, and bicarbonates become carbonates, which are much less soluble. The carbonates bind to plumbing surfaces providing seed crystals for further crystal growth, which build up as hard scale.

         Physical water treatment (PWT) devices cause microscopic mineral crystals to form and remain suspended as they flow with the water, while also acting as seeds for further crystal growth. As water is heated, minerals will crystallize on these seeds, instead of the plumbing system. The dissolved minerals become insoluble solid particles in suspension, passing through the system without binding to plumbing surfaces. [16]

Alternatives to ion-exchange water softeners exist, see table below.

Conditioning of hard water from Tempe, Arizona with different types of treatment methods

Treatment                               Normalized scale formation 

No treatment.                                             1.00     

Electromagnetic Water                             0.57

Treatment  

Electrically Induced                                  0.50

Precipitation       

Capacitive Deionization                          0.17

Ion exchange                                             0.06

Template Assisted 

Crystallization                                         0.04

Benefits of Water Softener

       Benefits of Soft Water: Prevent against dryness of skin and make it soft. Make hair smooth and damage free. Soft Water Keeps the original colour of our clothes as fresh as ever. The use of soft water prevents scaling in our home appliances such as water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, water purifier so that this equipment’s will provide maintenance free work of a long time. Prevents Scaling of our precious tap, Shower and Plumbing line. Unique features: Easy to Install and ready to use, Fully automatic microprocessor - controlled operation, Unique LP - BFT function long life and efficient ion exchange process, High quality resin for long life and efficient ion exchange process, Compact design, stylish long durable cabinet, High intensity inbuilt FRB resin tank with Brine valve assembly, Inbuilt bypass control valve with softening controller. Application: * Individual Bungalow * Individual Home * Individual Flat