At Watertech, we believe every water challenge is an opportunity to create smarter, more sustainable solutions. One of our recent projects involved exactly that—helping a customer manage and reduce their chloride discharge in a targeted, cost-effective way.
The Problem: Excess Chloride Discharge from Softener Regeneration
Our customer was facing an issue with elevated chloride levels in their wastewater discharge. The source? The regeneration cycle of their water softeners.
During regeneration—specifically the brine draw and slow rinse stages—a high concentration of chlorides is released. Without intervention, this brine-rich water would go straight to the drain, contributing to non-compliance and posing a risk to their discharge limits.
The Goal: Capture and Divert High-Chloride Wastewater
Rather than overhaul the entire softening system, the customer needed a more focused solution: capture only the high-chloride portion of the regeneration process, divert it, and transport it offsite for proper disposal. The challenge was to do it automatically, without disrupting softener operation or requiring constant operator oversight.
The Solution: Conductivity Monitoring + Smart Valve Control
We implemented a simple but powerful approach using:
- A conductivity sensor placed in the softener drain line
- A three-way valve to redirect flow
- Storage tanks to collect the high-chloride brine
- Remote monitoring and automated alerting capabilities
Here’s how it works:
During regeneration, the drain line conductivity is continuously monitored. As the softener enters the brine draw/slow rinse stage, chloride levels spike—reflected as a rise in conductivity. Once it hits the threshold, the three-way valve automatically actuates, diverting this high-chloride wastewater to an on-site storage tank. The remaining rinse water continues to drain as normal.
Remote Monitoring and Active Alerts
To ensure the system operates smoothly, it’s equipped with remote monitoring—allowing Watertech to oversee performance in real-time. If anything goes out of range, automated alarms are sent via text and email, notifying our technical team. This ensures quick response and minimal downtime.
We also installed a hardness analyzer that continuously monitors the water exiting the softeners. This provides immediate insight into softener performance and confirms the system is consistently producing soft water. By detecting breakthrough hardness early, we help prevent scale formation, protecting downstream equipment and maintaining system efficiency.
The Result: Compliance, Control, and Confidence
This targeted strategy offers multiple benefits:
- Environmental Compliance – Chloride discharges are now controlled and separated from normal wastewater streams.
- Cost Efficiency – Only the concentrated brine is hauled off, reducing transport volume and disposal costs.
- Remote Visibility – With remote access and real-time alerts, Watertech and the customer stay ahead of potential issues.
- Equipment Protection – The hardness analyzer ensures the softeners are doing their job, reducing the risk of scaling and equipment damage.
- Hands-Off Operation – The system is fully automated, requiring minimal operator input.
Smarter Solutions Start with the Right Questions
Every facility faces unique water challenges. Whether it's chloride discharge, chemical overfeed, or system fouling, Watertech works with customers to understand the “why” behind the problem—then design solutions that work long-term.
If you’re dealing with compliance concerns or want to explore smarter water and wastewater management strategies, reach out for a site survey. Our technical team is here to help.
Dominic Cavalieri
Field Service Technician
With over 7 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Dominic serves as a Field Service Technician supporting both the Watertech Applications Team and the Pretreatment Team. He brings a strong technical background in water treatment systems, specializing in monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing pretreatment processes. His hands-on expertise allows him to identify system issues proactively and implement effective equipment-based solutions. Dominic is known for his problem-solving approach and dedication to ensuring reliable and efficient water treatment operations.
Bill Holzbach
Pretreatment Manager
With over 30 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Bill serves as the Pretreatment Manager overseeing design, quoting, installation and field service work for water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, media filters, dealkalizers, deionization systems and other pretreatment equipment. He has extensive background working around boiler systems, cooling towers and building water systems in medium to large commercial and manufacturing facilities. He is a licensed Master Plumber and certified inspector for backflow preventers in the State of Wisconsin. He also performs steam trap testing and repair.