Very low output - takes up to 24 hours to process 5 gallons of water. Must have holding tank to store the processed water. Removes minerals and trace elements essential to good health. These filters show a high performance against the specific contaminants, but not against other contaminants. Water softeners are neither filters nor purifiers and are used only to change the water hardness.
Softeners put sodium into the water in exchange for magnesium or calcium ions.
It is recommended that water softeners be bypassed when installing a water filter. Most softeners must be professionally installed. Very turbid water can reduce the effectiveness of this type of treatment. This treatment is effective against many bacterial contaminants but is not effective in reducing cryptosporidium. The internal filter is usually a mixed media or granular carbon.