Overview

The PWG Coral Water Softener is a compact, salt-based water softener designed to reduce hardness and prevent limescale build-up throughout your home's water system.

Available with 10-litre or 15-litre resin capacity, the Coral offers a choice of four configurations to suit different household sizes and water usage patterns. Its cabinet design combines the softening system and salt storage in one unit, making it a practical option where installation space is limited.

The Coral uses an autotrol control valve and is available with two regeneration options:

• Timed regeneration - regenerates at preset intervals, regardless of how much water has been used.
• Metered regeneration - monitors water consumption and regenerates according to usage, helping to avoid unnecessary regeneration cycles.

The 10-litre model is generally suited to households of 1-4 people, while the 15-litre model is better suited to households of three or more, particularly where water consumption is higher.

With four configurations available, the Coral allows you to choose a water softener based on your household's requirements rather than paying for capacity you may not need.

If you're comparing different water softeners before deciding which model is right for your home, explore our full range.

Is this right for me?

Choose this if

• You want a compact cabinet water softener for your home.
• You have a household of 1-4 people and are considering the 10-litre model.
• You have three or more people, or higher water consumption, and would benefit from the 15-litre model.
• You want a choice between timed and metered regeneration, depending on your water usage.

Not ideal if

• You don't have sufficient space for the softener, pipework and access to refill the salt.
• You want a salt-free system that doesn't require regeneration.
• You don't have a suitable drain connection for the regeneration wastewater.

What to check before buying

Check your household size, water hardness and available installation space before choosing between the 10-litre and 15-litre models.

For households with variable water consumption, the metered version is generally the better choice, as regeneration is based on water usage rather than fixed intervals.

What it reduces and what is doesn't

The PWG coral Water Softener uses ion-exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions, the minerals responsible for water hardness.

By softening the incoming water, the Coral helps prevent new limescale deposits in pipework, hot water systems, household appliances and bathroom fittings.

Water quality issue	What the Coral does
Calcium and magnesium hardness	Removes hardness ions through ion exchange
Limescale formation	Helps prevent new scale deposits
Existing limescale	May gradually loosen existing deposits; it does not instantly remove them
Chlorine, taste and odour	Not designed to reduce these
PFAS, pesticides and other dissolved contaminants	Not designed to remove these
Bacteria and microorganisms	Does not disinfect water

What it doesn't do

The Coral is designed specifically for water softening, not drinking water purification. It doesn't replace a drinking water filter where treatment for chlorine, unwanted tastes or other contaminants is required.

Ion exchange also replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, increasing the sodium content of softened water. For more information about drinking softened water, including considerations for babies and people on sodium-restricted diets, read our guide: Can you drink softened water?

How it works

The PWG Coral Water Softener uses ion-exchange resin to soften your home's incoming water supply.

1. Water enters the softener - hard water passes through a bed of ion-exchange resin.
2. Hardness minerals are removed - the resin exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions, producing softened water.
3. The resin regenerates automatically - a salt solution flushes the accumulated hardness minerals from the resin and carries them to drain, restoring its softening capacity.

Timed or metered regeneration?

The Coral is available with two control options:

• Timed - regenerates at preset intervals, typically every two or three days, regardless of actual water consumption.
• Metered - monitors water usage and initiates regeneration according to demand, helping to reduce unnecessary salt and water consumption.

Both versions use an Autotrol control valve and require water softener salt for regeneration.

Specifications

Specification	Coral 10L	Coral 15L
Brand	PWG	PWG
Softening method	Salt based ion exchange	Salt based ion exchange
Resin capacity	10 litres	15 litres
Control valve	Autotrol	Autotrol
Regeneration options	Timed or metered	Timed or metered
Dimensions (W x D x H)	275 x 460 x 530 mm	275 x 460 x 665 mm
Softening capacity at 300 ppm hardness	1,667 litres	2,500 litres
Suggested household size	1-4 people	3+ people
Inlet / outlet connections	¾"	¾"
Drain connection	¾"	¾"
Regeneration salt	Required	Required

Please note: The volume of softened water available between regenerations depends on your incoming water hardness and the softener's settings. Harder water reduces the volume available between regenerations.

What's included

The PWG Coral Water Softener is supplied as a compact caninet unit, with the softening system and salt storage housed together.

The unit includes:

• 10-litre or 15-litre ion-exchange resin vessel, depending on the model selected.
• Autotrol control valve, with timed or metered regeneration according to your chosen configuration.
• Integrated salt storage compartment for regeneration salt.
• Cabinet housing containing the softening components.

Please note: installation fittings, connection hoses and regeneration salt should not be assumed to be included unless specifically confirmed for your chosen model.

Installation & placement

The PWG Coral Water Softener is installed on your home's oncoming mains water supply, allowing it to soften water before it reaches your household plumbing and appliances.

Its compact design makes it suitable for locations such as a utility room, garage or suitable kitchen cupboard, provided there is adequate space for connections and maintenance. Refer to the Specifications section for the dimensions of each model.

What to check before installation

• Water supply - access to the incoming mains water pipe and suitable connections.
• Drainage - a suitable drain connection for wastewater produced during regeneration.
• Electrical supply - a suitable power supply for the automatic control system.
• Access - enough clearance for pipework, servicing and regularly topping up the salt.
• Location - a level, accessible position protected from freezing temperaturres.

We recommend installation by a suitably qualified plumber familiar with domestic water softeners.

Maintenance & running costs

The PWG Coral Water Softener requires regular salt top-ups to maintain its softening performance. Regeneration is automatic, so there's no need to manually clean or recharge the resin.

Adding salt

Check the salt level regularly and top up with suitable water softener salt as required. How frequently you'll need to add salt depends on your household's water consumption, incoming water hardness and the Coral model selected.

Salt and water consumption

The Coral uses salt and water during regeneration to restore the resin's softening capacity.

The metered version regenerates according to water usage, helping to avoid unnecessary regeneration cycles compared with a fixed timed schedule.

Running costs will vary depending on your water hardness, household consumption, regeneration settings and the price of salt.

Routine maintenance

Periodically check the salt level, inspect the unit and its connections for leaks, and ensure the drain connection remains unobstructed.

Professional servicing may also be advisable in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

FAQs

What's the difference between the 10-litre and 15-litre Coral water softener?

The difference is the amount of ion-exchange resin inside the unit. The 15-litre model has a greater softening capacity, allowing it to treat more water between regenerations at the same water hardness. The right size depends on your household's water consumption and incoming water hardness.

Should I choose the timed or metered Coral?

For most households, we'd recommend the metered version. It monitors water usage and regenerates according to demand, making it particularly useful when household water consumption varies. The timed version regenerates at preset intervals, regardless of how much water you've used.

Can I drink water from the Coral water softener?

Softened water contains more sodium than the original hard water. Whether it's suitable for drinking depends partly on your incoming water hardness and individual circumstances. A separate unsoftened drinking water supply is advisable, particularly for preparing infant formula or where sodium intake needs to be restricted.

Does the Coral water softener need electricity?

Yes. The Coral's automatic control system requires an electrical supply. It also needs a suitable drain connection to discharge wastewater during regeneration.

How long does the resin last?

Water softener resin is designed for long-term use and doesn't normally need replacing at every service. Its lifespan depends on incoming water quality, operating conditions and maintenance. Regular salt top-ups and correct regeneration help maintain its performance.

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