The first and most common type of residential water treatment system is a water softener.  Water softeners are used primarily to remove water hardness which is the white build-up that you see on your dishes and plumbing fixtures.  Water softeners can also remove small amounts of clear iron, known as ferrous iron.

Hard water will in time clog the pipes in your home as well as clog your appliances.

Mighty Max Water Softeners

The Second type of system is an iron filter.  An iron filters primary job is to remove red iron (ferric iron), clear iron and most iron filters can remove manganes and hydrogen sulfide as well.  Hydrogen sulfide is present when your water smells like rotten eggs.