In this guide
This article explains the treatment objective, the design information that matters and the operating checks that help keep the system practical after installation.
Different treatment objectives
A softener is designed primarily to exchange hardness ions. RO is a membrane process that reduces a broad range of dissolved salts. They may solve different problems, and in some installations a softener is used before RO to reduce scaling risk rather than as a substitute for RO.
Choose from the intended use
For laundry, boilers, cooling or general scale control, hardness reduction may be the main objective. For process water or drinking-water applications where dissolved salts must also be reduced, RO may be considered. The correct choice depends on feed-water chemistry and the quality required at the outlet.
Do not size from hardness alone
Hardness is important, but flow, TDS, alkalinity, silica, iron, pH and other parameters can affect the treatment train. A water test and demand profile help determine whether softening, RO, both, or another approach is appropriate.
Need a treatment recommendation for your water?
Send the water source, intended use, approximate demand and any available test report. Waterwise Bangladesh can review the requirement and discuss an appropriate treatment approach.
