Ion Exchange

Ion exchange removes charged species by swapping them for harmless ions held on a resin. In drinking water, it targets nitrate, sulphate, hardness, colour, dissolved organic carbon, ammonium, fluoride, uranium and PFAS. Resin selection is what decides which contaminant a given plant removes.

Yes, and it is the process most widely used for nitrate in the UK. Nitrate-selective resin removes nitrate without releasing it preferentially as the bed loads up, avoiding nitrate dumping that ordinary anion resins can cause. Treated water is usually blended to a target safely below the 50 mg/L limit.

As the resin approaches exhaustion, the plant takes the vessel offline and passes a concentrated regenerant, usually brine, through the bed. The contaminant ions come off, the resin returns to its original form, and a rinse brings the vessel back into service. The whole sequence is automatic and usually takes under an hour.

A standard modular plant can be delivered in 6 to 12 months, and repeat units faster still. RSE builds and tests the plant in our state-of-the-art production facility while the site works proceed, so installation and commissioning on site take weeks rather than months.

Yes. It runs at low pressure, needs only salt deliveries and is fully automated, so it suits sites with limited attendance. Remote monitoring lets your operators check performance, regeneration cycles and salt stock without travelling to site.

Yes, and combinations are common. Ultrafiltration or ceramic membranes ahead of ion exchange protect the resin from solids. GAC downstream handles pesticides, taste and odour. For PFAS, ion exchange and GAC in series often give the best whole-life result.