An alternative to salt-based water softening Although the varied
climatic conditions along California's Central Coast, home of
Hahn Family Wines, are ideal for the growing of grapes, the
water underground, which the vintner uses for closed-loop heat-
cleaning of fermenting barrels and bottles, is mineral-rich and
scale-producing. Gritty deposits collect and become troublesome
with the application of heat. After years of using salt-based
water softening for critical boiler-treatment applications, Hahn
Family Wines sought an environmentally friendlier form of water
treatment, one free of chemicals, salt, and waste discharge. For
its main water supply, it commissioned the installation of a
template-assisted-crystallization (TAC) central treatment
system. TAC falls into a category often referred to as “physical
water treatment” (PWT). The primary goals of PWT are to: Avoid
the use of chemical additives. Minimize or avoid discharge
water, regenerates, and waste water. Avoid pollution and
disposal costs. Minimize ca