G08-1491 Drinking Water Treatment: Water Softening (Ion Exchange)

Authors

Sharon Skipton, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Bruce I. Dvorak, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Shirley Niemeyer, University of Nebraska--LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Bruce I. Dvorak

Date of this Version

2008

Comments

© 2003-2014, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.

Abstract

The presence of calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium (Mg) in water results in water being considered "hard." Calcium and magnesium ions in water react with heat, metallic plumbing, and chemical agents such as detergents to decrease the effectiveness of nearly any cleaning task. Hard water can be softened using an ion exchange softening process. This 2008 guide discusses the ion exchange water softening process and related equipment used for household water treatment.