Watts PWSRTA Series, Installation, Operation And Maintenance Manual

PWSRTA Twin Alternating Series Softeners 

   5

Pre-Installation Considerations 

(continued)

G.  Pre Installation and Loading of Media 

Systems that are 13” in diameter and larger are not loaded with 

media. These systems must be loaded with media before placing 

into service. To load a system follow the below steps.
1.  Cap the top open end of the distributor tube with tape and 

plastic sheeting to keep foreign debris from entering the 

distributor tube. This cap must be secure and not come off 

during media loading.

2.  Place the distributor tube, screen end down, into the mineral 

tank and center it in the bottom. The top of the distributor 

tube should be flush with the top of the tank. If 4” x 2.5” tank 

bushings are used, the distributor tube should be flush with the 

top of the tank bushing.

3.  Make sure the plastic and tape cap is secure to the top of the 

distributor tube, place a funnel on the top of the tank and load 

first the gravel (if different sizes of gravel are used load the largest 

gravel first, then the smaller gravel) then the resin media into the 

tank. The cap must not come off of the distributor tube during 

the loading of the media. 

4.  Remove the plastic cap from the distributor tube. 

DO NOT 

PULL UP ON THE DISTRIBUTOR TUBE

 when removing the 

cap. The distributor tube top must remain flush with the top of 

the tank.

5.  Clean any media from the threads and top of the mineral tank.
6.  Lubricate the O-rings on the bottom of the control valve 

(distributor pilot O-ring and top of tank O-ring). Use non-

petroleum based silicone lubricant only.

7.  Place the control valve on top of the tank. When doing this step, 

seat the top of the distributor tube inside the centered O-ring 

sealed port on the bottom of the valve first then press the valve 

down until the tank threads come in contact with the valve 

threads. This ensures that the distributor tube is properly seated 

into the bottom of the control valve. Thread the valve on to the 

tank clockwise. Be careful not to cross thread the valve or over 

tighten it. A hand tight snug fit is appropriate for the control valve 

torque. A wrench is not necessary. Do not use thread sealant or 

PTFE tape on the valve base threads.

8.  The system is now ready for installation. Follow the Installation 

Section in the Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual. 

    Do not exceed water pressure of 120 psi (8.2 bar). Do not 

exceed 110°F (43.3°C). Do not subject unit to freezing 

conditions.

Installation Instructions

1.  Turn off water heater(s).
2.  Turn off the main water supply to the home and open an inside 

faucet (cold and hot) to relieve any pressure within the plumbing 

system.

3.  Place the system in the desired installation location. Make sure 

that the location is level and sturdy enough to support the weight 

of the system once it is in operation.

4.  Place the bypass valve in the bypass position.
5.  Connect the cold water supply to the inlet of the water 

conditioning system. While constructing the supply line, install a 

master supply valve (user supplied) in the supply line and close it.

6.  Connect the feed water line to the home to the outlet of the 

system.

7.  Plumb the drain line to an appropriate drain abiding by all local, 

city, and state codes. Use a 3/4” drain line for backwash flow 

rates of 7 gpm or for drain lines of 7 gpm and less that exceed 

20’ in length. Use a 1” drain line for backwash flow rates of 10 

gpm and 12 gpm.

8.  Connect the brine tank to the water softener control valve brine 

inlet port using the factory supplied fittings and tubing. Add 

enough water to the brine tank so that water covers the top of 

the air check. 

DO NOT ADD SALT AT THIS TIME

.

9.  Open the user supplied feed water valve. Check for leaks and 

repair as needed.

10. Allow the inside hot and cold faucet to remain open until all air 

has been purged from the plumbing system. Then close the 

faucet.

11. Locate Manual Regeneration Options in this manual to see the 

steps to initiate an Immediate Manual Regeneration. Once you 

have read that section place the system in backwash and unplug 

the system from its electrical outlet once it has cycled into the 

backwash position. This will stall the unit in backwash so all air 

can be purged from one of the tanks.

12. Adjust the user supplied feed water valve to 1/4 open and place 

the bypass valve into the service position.

13. Air will come out of the drain line until the backwashing tank is 

completely purged of air. Then water will flow to drain. Allow 

water to flow to drain for 15 minutes or until the water to drain is 

clear of resin color throw.

14. Plug the system back into the electrical outlet and manually cycle 

it through the remaining regeneration steps until it arrives in the 

service position.

15. Repeat installation steps 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the General 

Installation Instructions to purge the air from the second tank.

16. Check for leaks and repair as needed.
17. Installation is now complete and the system is ready for 

programming and one cycle of brine tank refill so that the correct 

amount of water is in the brine tank for the first regeneration 

cycle. The brine tank refill must be done after programming the 

system.

WARNING

!