Ever wonder if buying a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks is worth the money? We're hear to tell you that not only is it worth the money you'll spend on getting one, but it'll save you a lot of trouble and expense in the long run. There are so many benefits to owning a water softener that go above and beyond just having soft water. So we're answering some frequently asked questions to better educate you on the benefits that having soft water can provide to you and your household.

Can you drink soft water?

Although many people believe soft water should not be drunk because of the sodium content, most do not realize how little sodium is in the water. Over 95% of our minerals come from our food and less than 5% from drinking water. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the “Hardness” of your water. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Still, the amount of sodium in softened water that was originally very hard shouldn’t be cause for concern. (www.MayoClinic.com)

Why does soft water not rinse the soap off? Showering in soft water makes my skin feel “slick”.

Showering in soft water may give you the sensation that soap and shampoo haven’t been rinsed away.  The “slick” feeling is actually your skin and hair thoroughly clean. Bathing with soft water, skin and hair retain natural moisturizing agents, feeling softer and smoother. Your skin will be healthier all winter long and not be so dry and itchy. Hair needs less conditioner and will not get so much build up on it from styling products.

Are water softeners expensive to operate?

A water softener is the only household appliance that can save you money. The cost of the electricity it uses is less than $6.00 per year. Soft water will help your appliances such as your water heater and dishwasher run more efficiently and last longer. Soft water also uses 50-70% less detergent to laundry and dishes. A Lindyspring water softener can also save you hours of housework by eliminating mineral deposits and soap scum on your fixtures.

Should I buy an electronic or magnetic device to soften my water?

Do not be fooled! While a lot of these devices do exist, only water softeners soften water. In the industry these magnets are referred to as “Descalers”, not softeners. They may be effective in certain applications as descalers, but they do not remove the hardness of the water. All of the benefits of softened water are forfeited. These items are sold with testimonials and a money back 90 day guarantee, but there is no scientific evidence to support their claims. If it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is!

Can the discharge from a water softener’s regeneration damage my septic system or drainfield?

In studies conducted by the University of Wisconsin in the late 1970s, it was confirmed that salt brine discharge from water softeners caused no problems in the operation of typical and newer style home treatment plants. High concentrations of calcium and manganese in the softener backwash water have no effect on the biological functions occurring in the septic tank and may, in some cases be helpful. The additional volume of wastewater generated is added slowly to the wastewater stream and does not cause any hydraulic overload problems. (Corey et al., 1977)

Do water softeners waste water and salt?

When you are shopping for a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to check the specifications for efficiency. If sized properly, a water softener will only regenerate 1 or 2 times per week. Always look for an electronic demand softener which meters water usage and adjusts accordingly. With the use of new technology such as upflow brining and metered electronic demand, today’s water softeners are much more efficient than those of yesteryear. It is not uncommon for a good quality softener to use less than 2 pounds of salt and less than 30 gallons of water per regeneration. Remember this piece of trivia – the total amount of water used to manufacture a new car, including tires is 39,090 gallons. Softeners do not waste water!

Holy cow... didn't you just buy that jug of detergent? And where did all the shampoo and conditioner go so quickly? Unfortunately, this is a commonly occurring problem, and it's likely because you have hard water. But just because it's a common problem, doesn't mean you should just admit defeat and throw your money away buying more and more detergents and cleaning supplies each month. By getting a Lindyspring water treatment system, you could be saving yourself a lot of hassle and a lot of money. Take a look at some of the ways a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks can benefit your home.


Less Soap and Detergent Required

Certain minerals in the hard water reacts with soaps or detergents, preventing it from interacting with soils, stains and dirty dishes. Softened water reduces the need for detergent by more than 50 percent because it doesn't contain the minerals that reacts with the cleaning products. Studies have even shown that with soft water, using cold water to clean works better than using hot hard water.

Appliances Last Longer

The minerals that make up hard water are also what makes up scale buildup and mineral deposits in your plumbing and appliances. Scale from hard water can clog plumbing, and it damages your water-consuming appliances, wearing them down over time. They become less and less effective until eventually they break down. With softened water, washing machines could run with a water temperature of 60 degrees instead of 100 degrees and still remove tough stains. Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are much more likely to retain the original factory efficiency rating for an extended time with softened water.

Hair and Skin is More Hydrated

Winter is already tough enough on our skin and hair due to the drier conditions. Hard water just adds insult to injury. The reason? Hard water and soap are not compatible. The soap reacts with the minerals in hard water, creating soap curd, leaving sticky residue on your skin and your pores clogged. Soft water can prevent clogged pores and allow soap to lather better on your skin. The minerals in hard water cause your hair cuticles to stand up, which can make your hair feel rough and dry and can strip your hair's natural oils which keep your hair naturally soft and shiny.

A water softening system can help you to avoid several problems associated with hard water in the home. A water softening system can enhance the life of your clothes, appliances, and plumbing. It does require an initial investment, but it will pay for itself over the years, and can help you to save thousands of dollars that you would have had to spend on repairing or replacing items. Check out some of the indication signs that you may need a water softener in your home.

1. Plumbing Repairs Become Necessary More Often
Hard water can clog your water pipes due to the buildup of limescale. As the flow of water in your pipes becomes increasingly restricted, the buildup of limescale occurs at a faster rate. Over a period of time, hard water will reduce the flow of water in your plumbing, and this can require costly repairs.

Do you seem to be going through a lot of shampoo or noticing that your dishes are coming out of the dishwasher spotty and you have to rewash them? Perhaps your clothes are looking dingy and not lasting nearly as long as you'd expect. Chances are you have hard water. It's actually a very common problem in our area. But just because it's a common problem, doesn't mean we should have to just put up with it. By getting a Lindyspring water treatment system, you could be saving yourself a lot of trouble. Take a look at some of the benefits that installing a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks can provide.

1. Appliances Last Longer
The minerals that make up hard water are also what makes up scale buildup and mineral deposits in your plumbing and appliances. Scale from hard water can clog plumbing, and it damages your water-consuming appliances, wearing them down over time. They become less and less effective until eventually they break down. With softened water, washing machines could run with a water temperature of 60 degrees instead of 100 degrees and still remove tough stains. Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are much more likely to retain the original factory efficiency rating for an extended time with softened water.

2. Less Soap and Detergent Required
Certain minerals in the hard water reacts with soaps or detergents, preventing it from interacting with soils, stains and dirty dishes. Softened water reduces the need for detergent by more than 50 percent because it doesn't contain the minerals that reacts with the cleaning products. Studies have even shown that with soft water, using cold water to clean works better than using hot hard water.

3. Hair and Skin is More Hydrated
Hard water and soap are not compatible. The soap reacts with the minerals in hard water, creating soap curd, leaving sticky residue on your skin and your pores clogged. Soft water can prevent clogged pores and allow soap to lather better on your skin. The minerals in hard water cause your hair cuticles to stand up, which can make your hair feel rough and dry and can strip your hair's natural oils which keep your hair naturally soft and shiny.

The fall season has so much to offer that many of us are eagerly looking forward to - cooler temperatures, beautiful fall foliage, the return of pumpkin spice everything, and the knowledge that the strand of joyous holidays are approaching! But it can also be coupled with dry skin. So, this week, the best water treatment company at the Lake of the Ozarks is providing you with some tips on how to prevent dry skin during the fall and winter months.

Avoid Using Drying Facial Products
When washing your face, use a gentle non-drying cleanser that contains glycerin. Skip the drugstore makeup remover wipes that contain alcohol and sulfates as they can irritate and dry the skin. And don't forget to amp up your hydration regimen. A great way to rehydrate your skin in the fall is by using a mask that has hydrating properties. Or you can go a step further and pamper your skin with a professional hydrafacial!

Wash with Lukewarm Water
While it may be very tempting as the temperatures drop, don’t spend too much time in hot baths or showers. This will also dry out your skin. Washing with hot water removes natural oils from the skin and can cause skin to become drier. Wash with lukewarm water, not hot. It's also important to pay attention to the soaps you're using during this dryer season. Avoid shower gels with alcohols as one of the top ingredients because that'll steal extra moisture even before you step out of the shower. Another factor that could be causing dry skin is the hardness of your water. If you don't have a water softener in your home, the hard water you're showering in could be causing your skin to become dry because it's sapping the natural oils from your skin and hair.

Moisturize After Showering
Apply a moisturizer shortly after showering or bathing that contains ceramides to help lock in moisture. This season it's also especially important to read the labels on your bath and beauty products. To keep skin well-nourished, look for lotions or creams with oils and butters to provide moisture.

Stay Well Hydrated
It's typical that during the fall and winter you tend to become less active, and probably don't feel as thirsty as often as you do in the summer. But your body still requires just as much water to maintain a healthy balance. A good indication that your body isn't getting the amount of water it needs is if your skin starts to feel dry or look ashy and flakey. Ensure that you're providing the highest quality of water by getting a water treatment system installed in your home to prevent contaminants from getting in your drinking water.

By heeding this advice, you'll notice a significant difference in how your skin looks and feels this fall. So no matter what you're doing this fall, whether it's raking leaves, visiting a pumpkin patch, or enjoying some quiet time indoors in front of your fireplace, remember to enjoy a glass of refreshing, purified drinking water from your Lindyspring water conditioning system. By staying hydrated, you'll have better luck keeping your skin soft, supple and looking and feeling it's best all fall and winter long. If you don't have a water treatment system, we can help. Give us a call today at 573-348-5044 to discuss your Lake of the Ozarks water treatment needs!

For All Your Household Water Conditioning and Treatment Needs Count on LINDYSPRING!

Have you ever thought about how much water you use on a monthly or daily basis? Water is a major part of everyone's day to day life, but it's probably not something that you think about often. However, you may want to start thinking about your water usage. More importantly, you may want to think about the quality of your water! The quality of your water you use in your home or business can affect the performance of your appliances, water heater, health, plumbing and much more! Lindyspring Systems would like to share with you average water usages and how a water treatment systems at Lake of the Ozarks could benefit you!

Washing Machine 

On average, your washing machine uses forty gallons of water per full load! That's a lot of water, especially if you have a larger family with lots of clothes to wash! With all that water going through your washer, if you don't have quality water your washer may not be running efficiently. Installing a water softener from Lindyspring Systems would help with the efficiency of your washer. This will make your washing machine last longer, and you won't have to use near as much detergent to wash your clothes. This is because hard water and build up can clog up your machine. Also, poor quality of water interferes with the cleanliness of your clothes, which is why more detergent is necessary when you don't have a water treatment system.

Dish Washer

Newer dishwashers use an average of four gallons of water per load, but if you have an older model you could be using ten to fifteen gallons per load. For those of you who don't have a water treatment solution, your dishes probably don't come out clean every time. If your dishes aren't coming clean, you have to re-wash them. This forces you to spend extra time and uses more water and energy to wash your dishes. Are you tired of your dishes not coming out of the dishwasher clean every time? Contact Lindyspiring Systems! We have a water treatment solution at the Lake of the Ozarks that could help! Our water softeners at the Lake Of the Ozarks would be the perfect fit for anyone who wants their dishwasher or other appliances to run more efficiently.     

Drinking Water 

It is recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. If you are accustomed to drinking water out the tap, did you know that there could be contaminants in your water that could affect your health? Chlorine, lead, and fluoride could be in your water coming from your faucet. There are numerous risks you take when drinking unfiltered water such as mental development, heart damage, and delays physical development just to name a few. Our Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System can help to filter out unwanted and harmful contaminants. Our goal at Lindysping Systems is to provide the cleanest and healthiest water possible for you and your family!

Consuming and using water is a necessity to live! Are missing out on key benefits from your water such as softer, cleaner, filtered water? Our water treatment systems at Lindysprings will help you save time and money by making your appliances fun more efficiently! Plus, if you don't like the water from your sink, you're likely buying bottled water, which can be very costly over time! When you are ready to save time, money, and have the cleanest water possible, you can count on Lindyspring Systems!

For All Your Household Water Conditioning and Treatment Needs Count on LINDYSPRING!

   

Many people wonder if buying a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks is worth the money. We at Lindyspring Systems know that not only is it worth the money you'll spend on getting one, but it'll save you a lot of trouble and expense in the long run. To better help you understand the benefits of having a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks, we've answered some frequently asked questions for your convenience.

Can you drink soft water?

Although many people believe soft water should not be drunk because of the sodium content, most do not realize how little sodium is in the water. Over 95% of our minerals come from our food and less than 5% from drinking water. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the “Hardness” of your water. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Still, the amount of sodium in softened water that was originally very hard shouldn’t be cause for concern. (www.MayoClinic.com)

Why does soft water not rinse the soap off? Showering in soft water makes my skin feel “slick”.

Showering in soft water may give you the sensation that soap and shampoo haven’t been rinsed away.  The “slick” feeling is actually your skin and hair thoroughly clean. Bathing with soft water, skin and hair retain natural moisturizing agents, feeling softer and smoother. Your skin will be healthier all winter long and not be so dry and itchy. Hair needs less conditioner and will not get so much build up on it from styling products.

Are water softeners expensive to operate?

A water softener is the only household appliance that can save you money. The cost of the electricity it uses is less than $6.00 per year. Soft water will help your appliances such as your water heater and dishwasher run more efficiently and last longer. Soft water also uses 50-70% less detergent to laundry and dishes. A Lindyspring water softener can also save you hours of housework by eliminating mineral deposits and soap scum on your fixtures.

Should I buy an electronic or magnetic device to soften my water?

Do not be fooled! While a lot of these devices do exist, only water softeners soften water. In the industry these magnets are referred to as “Descalers”, not softeners. They may be effective in certain applications as descalers, but they do not remove the hardness of the water. All of the benefits of softened water are forfeited. These items are sold with testimonials and a money back 90 day guarantee, but there is no scientific evidence to support their claims. If it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is!

Can the discharge from a water softener’s regeneration damage my septic system or drainfield?

In studies conducted by the University of Wisconsin in the late 1970s, it was confirmed that salt brine discharge from water softeners caused no problems in the operation of typical and newer style home treatment plants. High concentrations of calcium and manganese in the softener backwash water have no effect on the biological functions occurring in the septic tank and may, in some cases be helpful. The additional volume of wastewater generated is added slowly to the wastewater stream and does not cause any hydraulic overload problems. (Corey et al., 1977)

Do water softeners waste water and salt?

When you are shopping for a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to check the specifications for efficiency. If sized properly, a water softener will only regenerate 1 or 2 times per week. Always look for an electronic demand softener which meters water usage and adjusts accordingly. With the use of new technology such as upflow brining and metered electronic demand, today’s water softeners are much more efficient than those of yesteryear. It is not uncommon for a good quality softener to use less than 2 pounds of salt and less than 30 gallons of water per regeneration. Remember this piece of trivia – the total amount of water used to manufacture a new car, including tires is 39,090 gallons. Softeners do not waste water!

Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and manganese that cause scaling and soap scum. It is important to soften hard water in your home to protect your plumbing and appliances from mineral buildup. Soft water will also reduce the amount of soap used in your home. During the traditional softening process, sodium is released into your home’s water supply, but how much sodium are you really drinking? Take a look at the numbers:

How Much Sodium is Safe to Consume?
According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended amount of sodium for adults is no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, and an ideal limit for most adults is no more than 1,500 mg per day. More than 75 percent of the sodium Americans eat comes from some processed, prepackaged and restaurant foods. On average, Americans eat more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day because of this. Check out the example of the possible daily sodium intake of an adult. Now let's take a look at the amount of sodium is actually released into your home's water supply when you use a water softener.

How Much Sodium is in Your Water?
When you soften your water using a water treatment system, this process typically requires sodium to be released into your water. However, the amount of sodium released will vary in each household. The amount of sodium in your water is directly related to your total water hardness. According to the WQA (Water Quality Association), for every grain of hardness there will be 30mg of sodium in a gallon after it has been softened.

To put your intake into perspective, adults drink an average of 1 quart of water per day. According to the most recent water quality report supplied by the City of Osage Beach, the water hardness levels range from around 297-337 mg/L. That is roughly 10-15 grains of hardness per gallon. The sodium levels released in a gallon of water for this level of harness is 298-448 mg per gallon, and 74-112 mg per quart. Now think about the amount of sodium you take in daily that comes from the foods you eat. The sodium released in your drinking water is SIGNIFICANTLY less!

The Benefits are Worth It!
If drinking softened water is not desired, you can always have your kitchen cold water tap taken off of the water softener, or have the sodium removed using a device such as a reverse osmosis or distiller. The bottom line is that using a water softener for your household water supply offers benefits for your appliances and plumbing that far outweigh the very minimal sodium being released.

Now that you're able to see how much sodium is actually added to your diet with a water softener, you can feel more confident in your choice to purchase a Lindyspring System. If you have any other questions pertaining to water treatment at the Lake of the Ozarks or are interested in scheduling a time for us to come out to your home to determine which system would best fit your needs, contact Lindyspring Systems today!

For All Your Household Water Conditioning and Treatment Needs Count on LINDYSPRING!

For anyone who's ever dealt with the annoyances of hard water, you've probably weighed the pros and cons of getting a water softener. But without seeing the science behind what a water softener can actually do to save you money and save your appliances, you may have just opted to "deal with it" rather than buying a softener. But what if you could actually see the real benefits of installing a water softener and how much more efficiently your appliances would work? Seeing sometimes really is believing. So, this week, we're sharing with you a study done on energy and detergent savings when comparing softened and unsoftened water supplies being used. Take a look:

The Energy Savings Study
This study tested devices fed with softened and unsoftened water under controlled laboratory conditions designed to accelerate the waterside scaling in the device and quantify the performance efficiency. The project specifically focused on efficiency improvements in household water heaters from use of softened water, and the subsequent effect on performance of fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets, and appliances, such as laundry washers and dishwashers. For this study, Battelle tested 30 water heaters supplied by WQA over a 90-day period using a Battelle-developed and WQA-approved test protocol. Battelle simultaneously studied the effect of water hardness on
performance of faucets, low-flow showerheads, dishwashers, and laundry washers. Using the empirical data generated from the water heater testing and the effect on performance of fixtures and appliances, Battelle developed a differential carbon footprint assessment for homes using unsoftened water vs. softened water.

Conclusions
For gas storage and instantaneous water heaters, the use of a water softener to eliminate or minimize the scale forming compounds in water resulted in the efficiency of the water heater remaining constant over the life of the unit. In contrast, gas storage and instantaneous water heaters using unsoftened water had a noticeable decrease in efficiency over the testing period resulting in higher natural gas use. This natural gas savings associated with the use of softened water lead to direct energy and economic savings. In addition, because of the need to have the instantaneous water heater delimed or cleaned periodically, the economic savings lead to recovery of the cost of a water softener and operating supplies in a period as short as a year.

Electric storage water heaters did not record any difference in the electricity consumption between units receiving softened or unsoftened water. However, the life of the heating element on the electric water heater receiving unsoftened water needed to be replaced more often due to a shorter lifespan.

Low flow showerheads and faucets using unsoftened water clogged in less than seven days of accelerated life testing, whereas those units using softened water made it through the test without any problems.

The dishwashers and clothes washers on either soft or unsoftened water made it through 30 days of accelerated scale testing, but the units on unsoftened water had noticeable scale buildup on all surfaces that had contact with unsoftened water.

The Detergent Savings Study
The laundry study investigated stain removal with varying levels of hardness, detergent dose, and temperature. Detergent usage was 50, 75 and 100% of the manufacturer's recommended level. Water hardness ranged from 0 to 513 ppm (30 grains/gallon). Wash temperature was 60, 80 and 100ºF. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the ability of softening water to mitigate the adverse effects of lower detergent dosage and lower wash temperature in turn decreasing costs and energy usage.

Detergent savings was also evaluated for dishwashers. The detergent savings study included tests for removing difficult soils in addition to the spot and film evaluation. The relationship between detergent dose and hardness was investigated with three non phosphate automatic dishwashing detergents with two consecutive wash-dry cycles for spot and film. One detergent was evaluated for five cycles to ensure that effects do not change with increased number of cycles.

Conclusions
The savings in detergent use and the energy required to heat the water is very high for each of the stains tested. Even when 50% of the detergent is used at a lower temperature of 60ºF instead of 100ºF, the washing yielded improved results when softened water was used as compared to when hard water was used. The study showed that one can use cold water and half the detergents for washing clothes stained with any or all of these stains and still achieve the soil removal desired, if the very hard water is softened prior to such use. This is the most significant conclusion of this study. Reduction of hardness is significantly more effective on stain removal than either increase in temperature or detergent dose.

Statistically significant improvements by softening water with hardness were observed in spotting and filming performance as well as in better soil removal in automatic dishwashing. Detergent savings up to 70% was observed for dishwashing when softened water was used compared to hard water. Depending on the soil, hardness reduction was found to be up to 12 times more effective at soil removal than increasing detergent dose.

What Are You Waiting For?
So, as you can see, there are some REAL tangible benefits to getting a water softener to take care of your hard water issues. Not only can it save you money by allowing your appliances to run more efficiently, but you can also save money on detergents, soaps, etc. So, now that you've seen the potential savings in black and white, what are you waiting for? Knowing the benefits of having a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks you can feel more confident in your choice to purchase a Lindyspring System to treat your water in your home or your business. If you have any questions pertaining to water treatment at the Lake of the Ozarks or are interested in scheduling a time for us to come out to your home to determine which system would best fit your needs, contact Lindyspring Systems today!

For All Your Household Water Conditioning and Treatment Needs Count on LINDYSPRING!

Many people wonder if buying a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks is worth the money. We at Lindyspring Systems know that not only is it worth the money you'll spend on getting one, but it'll save you a lot of trouble and expense in the long run. To better help you understand the benefits of having a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks, we've answered some frequently asked questions for your convenience.

Can you drink soft water?

Although many people believe soft water should not be drunk because of the sodium content, most do not realize how little sodium is in the water. Over 95% of our minerals come from our food and less than 5% from drinking water. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the “Hardness” of your water. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Still, the amount of sodium in softened water that was originally very hard shouldn’t be cause for concern. (www.MayoClinic.com)

Why does soft water not rinse the soap off? Showering in soft water makes my skin feel “slick”.

Showering in soft water may give you the sensation that soap and shampoo haven’t been rinsed away.  The “slick” feeling is actually your skin and hair thoroughly clean. Bathing with soft water, skin and hair retain natural moisturizing agents, feeling softer and smoother. Your skin will be healthier all winter long and not be so dry and itchy. Hair needs less conditioner and will not get so much build up on it from styling products.

Are water softeners expensive to operate?

A water softener is the only household appliance that can save you money. The cost of the electricity it uses is less than $6.00 per year. Soft water will help your appliances such as your water heater and dishwasher run more efficiently and last longer. Soft water also uses 50-70% less detergent to laundry and dishes. A Lindyspring water softener can also save you hours of housework by eliminating mineral deposits and soap scum on your fixtures.

Should I buy an electronic or magnetic device to soften my water?

Do not be fooled! While a lot of these devices do exist, only water softeners soften water. In the industry these magnets are referred to as “Descalers”, not softeners. They may be effective in certain applications as descalers, but they do not remove the hardness of the water. All of the benefits of softened water are forfeited. These items are sold with testimonials and a money back 90 day guarantee, but there is no scientific evidence to support their claims. If it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is!

Can the discharge from a water softener’s regeneration damage my septic system or drainfield?

In studies conducted by the University of Wisconsin in the late 1970s, it was confirmed that salt brine discharge from water softeners caused no problems in the operation of typical and newer style home treatment plants. High concentrations of calcium and manganese in the softener backwash water have no effect on the biological functions occurring in the septic tank and may, in some cases be helpful. The additional volume of wastewater generated is added slowly to the wastewater stream and does not cause any hydraulic overload problems. (Corey et al., 1977)

Do water softeners waste water and salt?

When you are shopping for a water softener at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to check the specifications for efficiency. If sized properly, a water softener will only regenerate 1 or 2 times per week. Always look for an electronic demand softener which meters water usage and adjusts accordingly. With the use of new technology such as upflow brining and metered electronic demand, today’s water softeners are much more efficient than those of yesteryear. It is not uncommon for a good quality softener to use less than 2 pounds of salt and less than 30 gallons of water per regeneration. Remember this piece of trivia – the total amount of water used to manufacture a new car, including tires is 39,090 gallons. Softeners do not waste water!