A Review of Soft Water Services

Abstract

THE original residential soft water service was the rain barrel placed under the spout coming from the eaves of the back porch. It served its purpose well and saved a great deal of money on soap, clothes and other items, but was merely a forerunner of things to come. The barrel was succeeded by a larger wooden or galvanized tank, and then by the brick, cement-lined cistern fitted with a porous brick or coke filter. Still later came the duplicate piping system, giving hot and cold soft or hard water at all points in the home. At times when droughts were prevalent, the supply of rain water had to be conserved so that it would last until the winter snows fell. In certain re-