Softening Technology

Softening Technology | Water Purification | Plumbing | Newcomb

Imagine turning on the tap in your Newcomb home and knowing the water flowing out is not only crystal-clear but also free from the hard minerals that clog pipes, dull appliances, and leave spots on every shiny surface. HEP’s cutting-edge softening technology pairs smart ion-exchange systems with advanced filtration to elevate water purification to a whole new level, delivering balanced water that tastes clean, feels gentle on skin, and protects your plumbing investment for years to come.

From the first consultation to seamless installation and ongoing support, our local technicians handle everything with precision and pride. Say goodbye to scale build-up and hello to lower energy bills, longer-lasting fixtures, and peace of mind—all backed by HEP’s commitment to prompt service right here in Newcomb. Discover how effortlessly better water can flow into your life; schedule your personalized assessment today.

FAQs

How does a water-softening system actually work?

Our systems use an ion-exchange resin to replace hardness minerals—mainly calcium and magnesium ions—with sodium (or potassium) ions. Hard water enters the resin tank, the ions swap places, and softened water exits to your plumbing. When the resin beads become saturated with hardness ions, the control valve automatically triggers a regeneration cycle that flushes the beads with a brine solution, restoring their softening capacity. The entire process is fully automated and designed to minimise salt and water consumption.

Do I really need a softener for Newcomb’s municipal or bore water?

Yes—Newcomb’s water typically measures 180–220 mg/L (10–13 grains per gallon) of hardness because it passes through limestone aquifers. At these levels you’ll notice scale on taps, spotting on glassware, reduced detergent lather, and premature wear on appliances. A softener protects hot-water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines, lowers energy costs by preventing scale buildup on heating elements, and extends plumbing life, making it a cost-effective upgrade for most homes and businesses in the area.

What’s the difference between water softening and filtration?

Softening targets hardness minerals only. It does not remove sediments, chlorine, tastes, odours, heavy metals or microorganisms. A filtration system—such as a sediment cartridge, activated carbon, or reverse osmosis (RO) unit—removes those additional contaminants. For complete treatment we often install a twin system: a softener upstream to prevent scale, followed by a dedicated drinking-water filter or RO unit to polish the water for taste and purity.

How much maintenance will my softener require?

Routine care is simple: 1) keep the brine tank at least one-third full of high-quality salt pellets; 2) clean the brine tank every 1–2 years to prevent salt bridging; and 3) schedule an annual service so our technician can test hardness, sanitise the resin bed, and confirm the control valve is properly programmed. Modern metered valves regenerate only when needed, so salt use averages 1–2 bags per month for a four-person household.

Is softened water safe to drink and will it taste salty?

Softened water meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The ion-exchange process adds only about 7–10 mg/L of sodium for every grain of hardness removed—well below the 180 mg/L aesthetic guideline and less sodium than you get from a slice of bread. Most people cannot taste the difference. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, we can substitute potassium chloride or install an RO tap that removes virtually all dissolved solids, including the added sodium.

What does installation cost and are there any local incentives?

A fully installed, metered 35 L softener for an average Newcomb home starts around AU$1,790, including bypass valve, test kit and first year of service. Larger or twin-tank commercial systems are quoted after a free site assessment. Barwon Water currently offers a $100 rebate for residents who submit before-and-after hardness tests showing a reduction below 60 mg/L. We’ll handle the paperwork and water testing so you receive the rebate as a credit on your final invoice.