Water softeners use the process of “ion exchange” to remove calcium and magnesium. Our softeners are filled with food-grade resin beads that are dosed with sodium ions. As the water passes through the tanks the resin beads attract and hold on to the magnesium and calcium minerals and “exchange” the sodium ions. This process makes the water soft.
Depending on water usage, your softener will need to “regenerate” flushing off the magnesium and calcium ions on the resin beads. The metering systems will tell the softener when to regenerate so no need to do a thing other than fill with salt!
All water softeners need salt to assist with the regeneration process helping to wash off the calcium and magnesium ions from the resin beads. That’s why you’ll need to replenish the salt when it gets low.