Abstract: A water conditioning system is provided with an improved resin regeneration arrangement. Included in this system is a flow control valve associated with a brine injector mechanism which provides for a very slow rinse of the treatment resin at the end of the brine draw cycle. This provides for greater interaction between brine and resin and, therefore, more efficient and economical use of salt. The flow control valve utilizes a floating ball and a notched seat to permit substantially unrestricted flow when the ball is floating and brine is being supplied to treatment tank and greatly restricted flow when the ball is seated and untreated water is being used to rinse the brine from the treatment tank.

Abstract: A combined closure and rotary water valve assembly provided for closing the open upper end of a water softener mineral tank to be used in conjunction with a brine water tank including a float valve controlled brine water outlet and water supply line from the brine tank to the valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises a four position, five function valve. The five functions of the valve include a service function during which hard water enters the mineral tank and is softened therein and is thereafter discharged from the tank, a backwash function during which the bed of minerals within the tank is backwashed, a brine function in which brine is flushed through the mineral bed, a slow rinse function for flushing the brine is from the mineral bed and a combined rapid rinse and brine tank refill function during which the mineral bed is rapidly rinsed with water and the supply of water within the brine tank is replenished.