Annual Maintenance and Disinfection of Base Exchange Water Softeners: Ensuring Legionella Control and Efficient Operation

Water softeners play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of hot and cold-water systems, ensuring both efficiency and safety. The HSG 274 guidance document for the control of legionella bacteria emphasizes the significance of regular maintenance and disinfection of base exchange water softeners. In this blog, we delve into the importance of annual servicing, the comprehensive checks conducted, and how these actions contribute to efficient and reliable operation.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

The HSG 274 guidelines provide a robust framework for mitigating the risks linked to legionella bacteria. According to these guidelines, it is recommended that base exchange water softeners receive annual servicing and disinfection. This regular maintenance not only helps in preventing the spread of legionella but also prolongs the lifespan of the softener system, guaranteeing its ongoing effectiveness, all while reducing operational costs through optimal salt and water utilisation.

The Annual Softener Service: A Detailed Overview

Many companies still rely on Chlorine, which can damage the resin, reduce its capacity, and ultimately shorten its lifespan. What sets Dantek apart from competitors is our commitment to a comprehensive review of the commissioning settings, cross-referencing them with first principle calculations for factors like salt usage and resin capacity. We also quantitatively measure water hardness, ensuring that each vessel produces water with a hardness level below 5ppm, a more stringent standard compared to others who typically test down to 10 or 20ppm

• During the annual softener service, our specialized water softener team conducts a meticulous inspection and maintenance process, consisting of the following key steps:
• Resin Bed Disinfection: We disinfect the resin beds in both columns using a resin-safe disinfectant, PAA5. This critical step ensures the elimination of harmful bacteria, enhancing the safety of your water supply.
• Visual Inspection and Leak Check: Our technicians carefully examine the system for any visible leaks from the valve head and vessels. Identifying and addressing leaks promptly not only prevents water wastage but also helps avoid potential damage
• Salt Levels and Condition: We check the salt levels and condition to ensure proper regeneration and optimal softening efficiency.
• Operational Function Tests: Various operational functions, including the backwash function, injector clearance, brine draw, rapid rinse cycle, and brine valve operation, undergo rigorous testing to ensure smooth operation.
• Brine System Inspection: As part of our Dantek Service, we remove, clean, and inspect components like the brine assembly, venturi valve, brine line flow control, and brine tank foot valve. This thorough inspection is vital to ensure that the softener functions correctly until the next annual service.
• Water Softness Confirmation: We assess water hardness to verify the softener's effectiveness in providing consistently softened water.
• Electrical Control Systems: We review the operation of electrical control systems to ensure seamless automation and control.
• Control Settings and Fault Identification: Control settings are meticulously recorded and adjusted if necessary. Any system faults are identified and reported to the customer, along with estimated costs for any required repairs.

At Dantek, our annual softener service goes beyond routine maintenance, providing you with the assurance that your water softening system will operate efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively, while safeguarding the quality and safety of your water supply.

Complete Assurance and Report

During the service visit, our highly skilled technicians diligently record all relevant data and promptly report any instances of non-compliance. This meticulous documentation guarantees that your water softener system operates at peak efficiency, remains cost-effective, and prioritizes safety and reliability. With this approach, you can rest assured that your systems are shielded from the harmful impacts of hard water, ensuring their long-term performance and effectiveness.

Softener Month Special Offer:

For the entirety of June, Dantek is offering an exclusive deal on water softeners for businesses. All new water softener installations come with a 10% discount and a complimentary softener service in June 2025. Seize this opportunity to enhance your business operations and save on costs. Contact us today at 01454 417 920 or email [email protected] quoting "softenermonth" to take advantage of this special offer!

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