What process does a water softener use?

A water softener primarily utilizes the ion exchange process to reduce the hardness of water. In this process, calcium and magnesium ions, which are responsible for water hardness, are exchanged with sodium ions. When hard water passes through the softener, the specialized resin beads within the system attract and hold the calcium and magnesium ions while releasing sodium ions back into the water. This effectively reduces the hardness, resulting in softened water that is less likely to cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances.

This process is distinct from other methods like filtration, which physically removes particles from water, or chemical precipitation, which involves adding chemicals to form solid particles that can settle and be removed. Reverse osmosis operates by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing contaminants but not specifically targeting hardness ions like calcium and magnesium. The ion exchange method is specifically focused on addressing water hardness, making it the correct and most relevant choice for the functioning of a water softener.