Comprehensive water treatment system

A method is disclosed for the cyclic regeneration of a water softening system comprising an exchange medium in a tank which is in fluid communication with a brine storage tank. This method comprises the steps of filing the brine storage tank with refill No. 2 of softened water in a quantity sufficient to create sufficient brine for said exchange medium, said brine storage tank already containing refill No. 1 of softened water from a later step of the method. The exchange medium is subjected to backwashing No. 1 with water flowing counter the direction of water flowing therethrough during water softening operations. Next, brine from the brine storage tank is passed through the exchange medium. Water then is passed through the brine exchange tank. The exchange medium thereafter is subjected to backwashing No. 2 with water flowing counter to the direction of water flowing therethrough during the water softening operation. Finally, the brine tank is refilled with refill No. 1 of softened water to create brine in a quantity insufficient for completely brining the exchange medium.