The Salt Free Water Softener Experiment

OK, am looking into this...
http://www.softwateradvice.com/showthread.php?p=764
Sounds very promising!

Chris.

I'm also curious about an update.
But looking at the web site of the used equipment:
http://www.aquatell.com/us/salt-free-water-softeners .
It seems to have discontinued the Salt-free softener, since I can no-longer find it?!?

Please don't leave us here with a cliff hanger.
Is it still working or what?

Chris in Ontario.

The whole idea behind this experiment was to prove that the media works according the theory of the chemisty associated to the nanotechnology. The experiment has thus been unable to prove this beyond a reason of a doubt. There has been no measurements of the hardness of the water to prove that calcium ions are actually neutralized and the hardness of the water is actually lowered. Also, they say that there are minute traces of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium that are good for the body.

Personally, I would like to see three separate experiments done. Each would apply to a separate set of conditions. 1) Very old house, like this one, with old pipes that most likely have lead in them (might not if piping has been replaced but could have a very large scale build up). A house recently built say 10 - 15 years 3) A house where water is obtained from a ground well.

The media has very specific conditions under which it must work. I can not remember exactly but maybe our civil engineer can help with the design of these separate experiments.

1) The water would have to be sampled and sent to a lab. The results would provide the
information needed to set up the necessary prefilters ie iron, chlorine, etc. From this the correct
filters would be chosen.

2) An understanding of how the media works. I understand that as the media starts to work, the
hardness of the water starts to increase in value as the cleaning of the pipes occurs.

3) Next Filtration has made a claim that the Filtersorb SP 3 media only works temporarily due to a
drop in the PH. ( A measure of the water hardness at Tony and Carol's would be able to tell us
whether this is the case as it has been installed since September08.)

4) All the conditions need to monitored and measured for water hardness in a scientific manner.
under the various conditions mentioned above. I have to be above to see through some measured
and controlled experiment that the media does what the company says it does.

5) In these times of economic weakness most people want to make sure that something that is new
to the market actually works before purchasing it. In the case od the conventional water softener it
has a proven track record. Spending $1200 CAD and finding out it does not work makes most
people quite leary about spending that kind of money.

6) I have another concern, say the media actually does work and the tank springs a leak and the
media neeeds to be removed and exposed to air to change the tank. Once the media has been
exposed to air after working in the water that would create oxides and nitrides that would render
the coagulate ineffective once put back in the water.

These are things that the general public that has more than an inquing mind need to know before
making a purchase. I believe we have enough knowledge present here to be able to revise a
series of experments and take this to the next level. I have come to the conclusion that CWG
believe that they have a product that figure everyone will jump at and purchase just by explaining
how the chemistry works. It would be nice if the particpated in setting up the methodology and
measurements of experiments under the various conditions mentioned above. The marketing
aspect would take care of itself more or less through word of mouth.

Comments and opinions are welcome. I believe that this is a viable product but would like some
some further proof as explained above.

Richard Scott

(r.scott000@sympatico.ca) if anyone would like to help me create te situation to take
this to the next level

Eva, if you are wanting to try a water softener to improve eczema, I would go with a proven softening method: the ion exchange process. I work for Kinetico and we have many clients that have seen an improvement in their eczema condition with a water softener. However, in our industry, the effectiveness of a salt-free system doing the job it is designed for (removing calcium and magnesium) is debatable, let alone offering any add'l benefits.

The best salt-free water softener option is to use potassium. An ion-exchange softener is still the best scientifically proven method and potassium offers an alternative to salt for those concerned about sodium intake. Do your research before you purchase anything though. Consult your local BBB, Water Quality Association, and ensure the company is registered, licensed and bonded. Consider reputable companies that have been around for decades such as Kinetico (www.kineticoaz.com) and Culligan (www.culligan.com).