Go Green with Easy Water
Filed Under: Business
What’s the size of a phonebook, solves your hard water problems in a snap, and is green all over? The new Easy Water treatment system, of course! This water treatment system doesn’t use salt so, it is “greener” –good for the environment, and to top it off, the technology is developed by a fellow Geist resident, CEO Bill Freije of Freije Water Treatment Systems. Freije has long been proud of being “green” saying “I was recycling before recycling was cool!” But, the new Easy water treatment system is certainly putting all of his “green” ways to good use.
As a customer, I have to say, there’s good reason why this home product is catching on. You replace your water softener with the Easy Water system — which is comparable in price to better-name-brand water softeners ($849 - $1299) and about the size of a DVD case — and say good-bye to the buying bags of salt. The Easy Water system works by adding electronic current which alters the water particles’ ability to stick to pipes and appliances. Traditional softeners would “soften” water by taking out “good” minerals, calcium and magnesium, and replacing them with a double the amount of salt.
Ask anyone with an interest in the environment, including Bill Freije, and they will tell you salt from your water softener will likely end of in the local water source.
“All the salt you buy from the store and dump into your water softener is equivalent to dumping it into the river behind the water treatment plant!” says Bill. This is also why salt-based water softeners are starting to be banned in heavily populated areas of California and along the East Coast.
The greener mind set is spreading throughout the midwest as well. Indianapolis- based Freije—a leader in “green” water treatment technology since 1986 –was used primarily for industrial and commercial use with large companies such as Frito-Lay and Arby’s. They started testing their product for residential use in 2001 as consumer demand for “greener” alternatives continued to grow.
Now, business continues to grow.
“We have 20 employees now and we plan to add 200 more over the next two years,” says Freije.
So, a success story in business and a champion for the the enviroment. For me, I saved room in my home, did a little more to be “green” and “bagged” buying all of those bags of salt!
Hats off to Freije Water Treatment Systems, and our fellow Geist neighbor, for the new, innovative and useful way to go “green”!
Popularity: 7% [?]
Resident of Geist | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
People need to know that this technology does not replace water softeners just enhances them. It is really a ‘de-scaler’ you still need the salt and the water softener.
Bob | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Discharging water softener waste must be done thru the sanitary system. Discgarging it into s storm pipe or stream or ditch is a violation of local, state and EPA stormwater regulations.
lauragates | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Keeping your water softener and continuing to add salt to your water and the environment is your choice, but it’s certainly not needed if you have the Easy Water system. As long as scale is not building up, why do you need your water to be “soft” — which means minerals that are beneficial to your health have been removed.
As to Bob’s comment, he is right about the regulations. I think what the story is trying to convey is that because salt is so water-soluble, it is very hard to remove all of it, even for the water treatment facility.
Catherine | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Traditional water softeners replace calcium and magnesium in the incoming water with sodium. The sodium does not precipitate out in your pipes, appliances, sinks, and shower. It stays in the water. You drink it, wash with it, etc., and it goes right down the drain to the wastewater treatment plant. The treatment plant does NOT remove the sodium–so as the article says, it ends up in the lakes and streams as part of the treated water discharge. So while it is not as concentrated as dumping a bag of salt directly into a river, or salt washed off roads into ditches, that tonnage does start to add up.
Electric current may prevent the magnesium and calcium from precipitating in the hot water heater and the always-filled plumbing system, but I would expect my pots and pans will still get crusty, and I have some doubts the current would be useful even in preventing buildup on sinks, showers, tubs, and appliances, as the water in these is “off” sometimes, breaking the current flow. Also I would want to be careful if I have soldered copper piping, as the current may affect the way the piping corrodes (all piping corrodes, sooner or later)–you could end up with higher levels of copper or (if your house is more than 30 eyars old) lead in your water.
Mike | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Here is an article I came across in another discussion forum. Thought I would post it here. The guy seems to really know what he is talking about. I know one thing, after reading this, I will now make sure I keep my traditional salt softner. Anyway, here it goes.
I am convinced that the only people left reading this bulletin board are technical types, those in the industry (on both sides), and those who are bored. The information being thrown around is all over the place leaving more questions than answers for those who remain interested.
I will try to provide some information, insight, and opinion, to those who are left checking this board. I will attempt to answer some questions. First, full disclosure. I am retired from a 30-year career in water treatment. Although I do some consulting these days, I don’t have a dog in the fight!
The system Freije is assembling was not invented by him, is not new, is not Indy homegrown, and it does not do what he says it will do. The technique Freije is using is in the category of “physical water conditioner”(PWC). PWC devices include magnetic, electromagnetic, electrical frequency (Freije’s Easy Water is electrical frequency), and crystallization of polymer beads. All of these techniques claim to achieve the same result of creating an effect on the dissolved salts that are the source of scaling in water. PWC’s do not stop scale from forming, they only claim to make scale form in such a way that it doesn’t stick.
For the techies that want to understand this phenomenon you can read articles, written by people who support PWC. You will absolutely find in these articles that Easy Water technology is not Freije’s and it is not new.
PWC systems might have a softening effect in hot water systems, but they do not produce soft water. Reference conclusion in research article,“Even at their best, PWC can never deliver the equivalent performance of a properly maintained salt softener”. People who enjoy the silky feeling in the shower will not like PWC because you will not get that result. Further, with PWC you will get a white film on your showers, fixtures, glass, etc. Only you can determine if it is easier to clean than it is with completely un-treated water. Today, only ion exchange softeners will keep fixtures clean while giving you a silky soft shower. Bill Freije use to admit that expectations had to be lowered with his system. Freije has just recently crossed that line by advertising in a way that leads people to believe they will get the same result with Easy Water that they do with an ion-exchange softener. This is a blatantly false assertion.
Freije plays on “The Green Emotion” by saying salt harms the environment. He falsely claims that some states have banned water softeners because of salt getting to our streams and rivers. Some restrictions have been placed in a limited number of communities. However, none of these restrictions are related to salt contaminating the environment, steams or rivers. If you are interested, dig in to the subject. If you don’t care, you can be assured none of these so called “bans” involved environmental concern. One additional fact that you should have comes from the National Salt Institute who tracks salt sales. Road Salt, that state hwy dept’s put on our roads, out sells water softener salt annually 5:1. Road salt melts directly to surface water streams as opposed to going through a treatment plant. Their environmental claim is nothing more that an emotion targeted lie.
Freije claims ion-exchanged softened water is corrosive on appliances and plumbing. Once again, this is a blatantly false statement. There are a significant number of research papers available on this subject. These studies have concluded that ion exchange softening does not make water corrosive. This is also a marketing lie.
Freije gets an A+ for marketing and public relations. He gets an even better grade for obtaining $1+ mil in taxpayer money. Freije just recently reported having 12 employees, he now says that they will have 200 by 2010. Has anyone noticed that Freije’s advertising push is only a few weeks old? How many of you ever heard of them before Dec? This is a masterful PR program that they have put together. Freije is outright lying about inventing this technology or that it is “homegrown”. Products like Easy Water have been around for many, many years. However, the PWC industry has failed to respond to requests that they establish testing standards for PWC technology. Marketers of PWC just promise and sell on their own word. The only product standard that exists is a German Standard DVGW W512. The only PWC that I have found that passed W512 standard is the crystallization technology. If you are interested, do your research.
In summary, Freije is responsible for the heat they have created. They are falsely marketing their system as an equivalent to salt based softening. The technique they use might help with scaling in hot water (although that performance is not validated or consistent) but it does not produce soft water. If you want hard water, that might not scale as bad as un-treated water, then this product is for you. If you are expecting soft water, this product will more than likely disappoint you.
Bob | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
For credibility Mike please identify your source.
Mike | Mar 28, 2008 | Reply
Bob, I think it’s clear this guy knows what hes talking about. Why don’t you pay attention to what he says and do some research on your own if you don’t believe him. I have done research and have found everything to be 100% accurate. If you do a little research on your own you will find the same thing…….You know what I’m tired of?…..I’m tired of wacky environmentalists who only live off emotion instead of scientific fact, who try and push their agendas off on everyone else. Do you know what their cause creates?…..Nothing but more useless environmental laws where the only thing that comes of them is a loss of freedom for you and I……..Not to mention an increase on the cost of products because of more regulations companies must endure. In Freijes case, his agenda is to profit on everyones ignorance……….He understands that this whole “Green Emotion” movement has caused everyone to believe we are actually destroying the world, when it couldn’t be anymore blatantly false. Its so sad to see people actually buying into that notion and continuing to line Freijes wallet with more money……..The guys a genius!……What a joke!……Bob if you want to buy into it also, then feel free to fork your money over to a product that won’t work…….Freije would thoroughly enjoy it!
Carol | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Mike,
I am passionate about responsible stewardship of our planet, and yes, I am interested in any info about alternative softening technology. So, knowing who this person is would be useful to me.
I’m interested in supporting neither bogus technology nor bogus laws. I am more than happy to do my research; hence my Googling on this subject and arriving here. I’d like to go further by looking up this author. Or at the very least, the bulletin board from which this was lifted.
Can you help without feeling defensive? No offense is offered, here.
Mike | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Carol,
Please don’t take offense to this, but I think you have heard everything you need to know. Research the guys article and you might find out something very AMAZING…….Everything he says is TRUE………Thats it, thats all……….SAVE YOUR MONEY.
Resident | Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Carol–I do not know what Mike’s agenda is but the facts are that Freije is a descaling system not a softwater conditioner. If you have hard water you will need a water softener. Do not be fooled.
Mike | Apr 21, 2008 | Reply
Resident,
My only agenda is to provide the facts so people don’t buy something that won’t do what they think it will. Isn’t that considered good “stewardship”, as Carol would say? Really, thats the only agenda I have. In the past I have bought products that don’t do what they claim and it really bothers me…….I’m just trying to save people a little money.
Other than that, yeah I’m a little upset over this whole Green Emotion and Global warming thing. I believe people are being brain washed by people like Al Gore and others. They are being led to believe that we are destroying our planet. Don’t you see that their only agenda is to make a quick profit off of it. Why are people so blinded? What they are saying couldn’t be anymore false. There is no scientific proof that anything mankind has done is destroying this world. Yes, the earths average temperature might of increased by 1 degree + or - over the past 100 years of recorded history, but there is no proof this was created by mankind. It is said the earth is approxametly 4.5 billion years old. Now, if the earth is that old, don’t you think that over time the weather changes periodically? If you really think humans are causing global warming, then who was responsible for the end of the last ice age. Who caused that incredible warm up?…….It certainly wasn’t us. Everything those people say is a complete joke. As I said, all it does is creates more environmental laws which burdens companies and causes higher prices, more taxes for you and I, and not to mention less freedom………Just think about it a little because others sure aren’t……..And those are the people who claim to be the most open minded……….Our founding fathers would be rolling in their graves if they saw the way this country was moving….All the freedom they created is slowly but surely leaving us and people are blinded to it.
Gina | May 9, 2008 | Reply
We live in Arizona and have extremely hard water. I don’t care about the chemistry debate. I just want to know if this system works? I’m primarily intrested in lowering the scale on my shower door and our skin not being so dry from our water. Can you please let me know if this system will help us? I’d rather talk to someone who has the system already versus a chemical engineer who thinks it won’t work. Thanks!
DON | May 11, 2008 | Reply
Mike’s anti global warming rant compleatly destroyed his creditablity with me. Global warming does exist and a prepondence of the sientests who are nct polloters shills agree. I dont know if this “Easy Water”system works as advertised or not.
Mike | May 13, 2008 | Reply
Don,
I really don’t care whether I have credibility with you or not. I never said there wasn’t global warming. What I said was, there is no SCIENTIFIC PROOF or SCIENTIFIC FACTS that back up the theory that global warming has been caused by anything mankind has done………Yet the world is taking action like it has……This causes you and I a lot of tax dollars for many of the worthless programs that don’t really do anything except EMOTIONALLY make people feel better. Don, I don’t know about you, but living on purely emotion is not a good way to live…….As far as credibility on “Easy Water”, research the facts from the article I posted. You will find everything you need to know.
Mike | May 13, 2008 | Reply
Gina,
Let me answer your questions. As far as reducing the scale on your shower wall, yes the “Easy Water” system should do this. As far as your skin not being so dry?……With the “Easy Water” system, it will be as dry as its ever been. The “Easy Water” system is only a descaler, not a softner. If thats all you care about, then it will work for you and I suggest buying it.
CB | May 14, 2008 | Reply
Mike,
Number one, FREIJE never said that he “invented” the technology, just that he devoloped it. Two, his systems are called water conditioner’s not water softeners. How can it be called a “water softener”, if he clearly states that he is not removing the minerals from the water. Besides why do people want “soft water”? Because they have scale build-up on their shower heads, faucets, dishwasher, & other water using appliances. If the minerals no longer form scale, then why would I want to get rid of them for twice the amount of salt? Which would you rather ingest, Calcium & Magnesium or Sodium from salt?
Finally, if this system doesn’t work, then why does Beazer homes continue to install these units in their new homes? “Beazer Homes is a top 10 homebuilder in the United States and one of the largest builders in Indiana,” said Bruce Craig, Market Manager for Beazer Homes. “Beazer continues to add ‘green’ options like EasyWater for their customers in Indiana and supports the environmentally-friendly movement in the Hoosier state.”
Do you even know anyone that has one of these units? I do, and they love it!!! Besides, they have a 90 day money back guarantee!! Try it out for 90 days, if you don’t like it, send it back and you will get a FULL REFUND!!
CB | May 14, 2008 | Reply
Check this out! Here’s a statement from someone who has one of the EasyWater systems:
“Right after [easily and quickly] installing my EasyWater System 2000 I noticed a thicker, quicker and richer suds buildup with considerably less detergent, both in the kitchen sink and in the washing machine. Also, there was a glob of lime scale buildup on the underside of my Mixet Faucet handle in my shower. About 2-3 weeks after installation I was able to just wipe it off with my finger.
I also noticed the treated water had begun to slowly wash away the thin, foggy, opaque lime scale film on the inside of my shower door. I was tired of looking at it, so I just washed it all off myself. IT HAS REMAINED CLEAN EVER SINCE!
I am extremely happy with this new, treated water running through my pipes, washing machine and water heater. For the true solution to my hard water problem, I say THANK YOU FRIEJE!
There is a website with a bunch of bloggers going on about how your product is a scam and it doesn’t work, etc. They’re perfectly free to say whatever they wish. In the meantime, while they do, my EasyWater System 2000 just hangs on my wall in my garage, WORKING LIKE A CHARM!”
CB | May 14, 2008 | Reply
Here’s another one: Just so you know, both of these people are from Las Vegas, where they have “harder” water than here in Indiana!
“I just wanted to say that your system has totally solved my problems here in Vegas. I have seen immediate results regarding hard water staining. The water feels a bit softer as well. My dishes are not spotted as much and any spots easily wipe off. My faucets and sink can be easily wiped to a nice shine. I am sure I will see results with my clothing as well. I have a new washer that uses a small amount of water and little detergent. So now even less detergent will be needed and I am sure my clothes will be fresher and cleaner. I am soooo glad I purchased this. I was skeptical at first but the ease of the system and the desire to not spend a ton on a water softener and constantly be running out of salt made me give it a try.”
Ken | May 27, 2008 | Reply
I live in Fishers, IN, and have had the EasyWater system in place since April 7. I thought my water softener was going bad and wanted to see if I could get away from lugging the salt bags down to the basement every couple weeks, and if I can save the environment at the same time, so be it.
Due to where my main water line comes in, it took quite a bit longer than anticipated, to install (over 3 hours), but as soon as it was completed, I turned off the salt softener, and went to take a shower. It was absolutely unbelievable- the water was so hard, I couldn’t slide my wet hand down my wet arm. Over the course of the next few days, I went through more soap than I was using in a full month, from bath soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc…
We are now at 7 weeks. The water has gotten a little bit better, but it is “very” drying. My eight year old daughter’s knuckles are bloody from being so dry …it breaks my heart.
I find it very interesting to read how great people have found this system. Funny how they don’t disclose that they (likely) didn’t have any type of water treatment system before turning this on.
Here are a few more examples of what happened when I went from a traditional water (salt) softener, to the EasyWater system:
* Soap skum buildup on the shower floor, unlike anything I’ve seen since my bachelor days.
* high use of all soaps, including toothpaste
* Reverse osmosis system slowed down, from each morning, I could fill a pot of coffee, a gallon jug, a litre bottle, and still have water in the tank, to (currently) we can get pot of coffee, very slowly. We don’t even try to fill the gallon jug anymore.
* dishwasher spots are disgusting on the glasses, plastic utensils have to be thrown out from the white film damage…
* laundry soap doesn’t completely suds up through a complete cycle, leaving soap on the clothes, or the sides/bottom of the washer.
In case you can’t tell, I’m not a fan of EasyWater. I’ve been looking for comments on several sites, and find it interesting that the “pro-” comments all sound the same….could be a little more of their marketing arm. I’m calling to return the system today…I strongly recommend you stay away.
tommy two tone | May 29, 2008 | Reply
I can’t believe we end up w/ politics while researching water softeners. You would think we could escape poliitcal diatribes while shopping water treatment, but noooo. Mike, I’m glad you think everyone is out to get you, they probably are, but it’s a personal problem that you need to handle w/o sharing. And thanks for the tip, I’ll not get the PWC type system wheter AL Gore or GW thinks I should or shouldn’t.
danke
Sott | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Take a look at the oregon Petitition project at petitionproject.org.
I am sure most of you will discredit it, but it is true..
All do not agree. the issue is far from over.
31,000 signatures. 9,000 of them have Ph.D. degrees in the relevant sciences and they make two statements. One: That there is no convincing scientific evidence that humans are causing any climate change and that it would be a big mistake to make treaties and agreements to limit carbon dioxide emissions.
Most are not old enough to rmember other catisrofic perdictions. I remember in the 60s we were all going die by the 70s from over population. Then the late 70s global cooling. We were ging into nthe next Ice Age. We all needed to move to equators. They wanted to spread coal dust over the ice caps to melt them. The the gas crisis in the 70s. We will run out of oil by the 90s at current consumption levels. At 2000 it was the end of the world as we know it. No power, water etc, as computers shut down the world. Now we have global warming. Before my time, People had claimed global coling and global warming twice already. During the dust bowl for instance. Long ago people blamed the gods, just as effective.
All this creates Jobs and industriesby, also by the bad corparates that are claimed to be distroying the world. When we agree they are good whe we dont they are bad.
Thousands have jobs and grants that are dependant on the end of it all.
I do believe it would be silly not to look for other sources of energy and to take care of the planet we live in, but at the same time it needs to be realistic and not baswed on current trends.
Forgive any spelling errors as I have a vision loss and miss things.
y0mbo | Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I got one of these systems after seeing the advertisements on TV. I was left with the impression that this would solve buildup problems but after 3 hours of scrubbing our shower door and walls, I am not convinced.
For the expense (and now 6 months after purchase so I can’t get refunded), I will probably have to purchase a water softener anyway. Our home was a new construction so it did not have a softener pre-installed.
BigBruddaB | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Use potassium salt in your softener. Cost a little more, but well worth it.
resident | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
“Sodium really has no redeeming value in the environment outside of saltwater or brackish water ecosystems. If alternatives to sodium chloride for water treatment can be developed, they should be used. Potassium chloride is a logical choice to reduce sodium discharge from water softening systems, to provide additional potassium in human diets, and to serve as a nutrient source for plants.”
From “Potassium Chloride: Alternative Regenerant for Softening Water” by Dr. Kim Polizotto and Dr. Charles Harms
If you are concerned about water softening brine and its possible effects on your septic system (and the environment), an alternative chemical can be used. Potassium chloride is as effective as sodium chloride for water softening in both residential and commercial processes. Plus, using potassium chloride has several benefits: it reduces the amount of sodium in drinking water; the treated water contributes potassium to people’s diets; and it eliminates the addition of sodium from water softeners into a household’s septic system tank and drainfield.
Potassium chloride works exactly the same way that sodium does in the water softening process. The mineral tank is flushed with potassium (instead of sodium) from the brine tank to coat the resin beads. With its positive electrical charge, the potassium clings to the negatively charged resin beads in the tank. As hard water passes through the softener’s mineral tank, the calcium and magnesium in the water change places with the potassium on the beads.
The treated water now has a small amount of potassium in it. The mineral tank will eventually need to be regenerated when most of the potassium adhering to the resin beads has been exchanged for the calcium and magnesium carried in the water.
The regeneration process flushes the mineral tank with a potassium chloride solution that drives the calcium and magnesium minerals off the resin beads. The excess potassium, calcium, and magnesium-rich water in the tank is then discharged into the home’s drain pipes and into the septic system. The regeneration brine mixes with the standing water in the tank, then eventually flows into the system’s drainfield. Potassium is an essential mineral for plants; whereas, sodium can damage plant tissues. Because sodium is replaced by potassium, this diluted wastewater is beneficial to a grass covered drain field.
Wastewater from water softeners that use potassium chloride in their regeneration brine can be recycled to irrigate agricultural land. An article titled “Potassium Chloride … Alternative Regenerant for Softening Water,” written by Dr.Kim Polizotto and Dr.Charles Harms for the Potash and Phosphate Institute’s Better Crops with Plant Food (Fall 1993), suggests using potassium in water softening units and then recycling the diluted wastewater as an alternative to disposing of it.
Polizotto and Harms mention that several cities in California, Florida, and Michigan have called upon the water softener industry to help reduce sodium and chloride discharge into municipal sewage treatment facilities. Reduction of these chemicals is necessary to meet discharge standards set to decrease groundwater pollution in those communities.
These researchers also tell of other towns that want to develop secondary markets for their wastewater, such as selling it to farmers for irrigation purposes. Because sodium may harm some plants’ growth, wastewater from treatment plants might not be marketable if sodium chloride is the predominant salt used for water conditioning in the community.
Cost may be the only drawback in switching from the standard sodium chloride used in most water softeners to potassium chloride. Both can be found in most retail home improvement centers, but the potassium chloride can cost up to twice as much (even more on the West Coast) as the sodium chloride. The average price of sodium chloride (in the East) is around $4 for a 40 pound bag, and potassium chloride costs approximately $9 for 40 pounds. However, consumer group studies show that, for many potential users, the health and environmental benefits of potassium chloride outweigh the price difference.
Mike | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply
I haven’t checked this post for a while but figured I would see what responses I could find and apparently CB is quite upset! Apparently CB works for Freije!!…….OR might actually be Freije himself?…..WHO KNOWS?…..What do you guys think?…Face it, the system doesn’t work and if I owned Beazer homes I would make the decision to quit using the system before I went out of business!
Cous | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
Skeptical about the lack of information on the web site……………if it was so much better, you would think there would be further technical information comparing their system to a salt based system……….seems like all marketing fluff to me. Sounds too they might have an “arrangement” with Beazer.
dave bourpe | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
Copper pipes and current flow go together like peanut butter and clams.