A WATER SOFTENER PLANT IS A DEVICE THAT IS DESIGNED TO REMOVE POSITIVELY CHARGED IONS OF CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM FROM WATER. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TREAT HARD WATER IN INDUSTRIES AS IT CAN CAUSE EXPENSIVE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT TO MALFUNCTION. HOME WATER SOFTENERS, ALSO CALLED ION EXCHANGE UNITS , ARE APPLIANCES THAT REMOVE CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND OTHER MINERALS FROM DRINKING WATER . RESIN BEADS INSIDE THE SOFTENER TRAP THE CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM AND EXCHANGE THEM FOR SODIUM OR POTASSIUM.