East Midlands Water Company SUMO User manual

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SUMO Water Softener
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CONTENTS
Box contents 2
Installation - planning 4
- plumbing requirements 5
Commissioning 11/12
Dimensions 2
Maintenance 12
Manual Regeneration 11
Overflow connection - assembly 6
- installation 9/10
Preparing to go into service 11
Resin Tank Valve (Brine valve) 6
Salt type and replenishment 12
Siting your softener 4
Setting up your softener 6-11
Starting up - first time 11
Waste connection - assembly 6
- installation 10
Water Hardness - table 7
-testing 7
- adjustment 8
What to expect from your softener 3
Sumo Non Electric Single Tank Water Softener
READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING YOUR INSTALLATION
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SUMO Water Softener
Contents of your SUMO water softener box. Please check that you have all parts as soon as you receive your
softener.
Your Sumo water
softener
1/2” WASTE connection
hose
5/8” OVERFLOW
connection hose
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Installation instructions
IF YOU PURCHASED A FITTING KIT - CHECK INSIDE YOUR
SOFTENER, AS THIS IS WHERE IT WILL BE PACKED
Waste connection parts
(overflow elbow, nut and washer)
Water hardness
test kit
Your SUMO water softener is a high performance single tank non electric water softening product designed to eliminate
limescale (calcium and magnesium ) in residential environments. It is not a water purifier. It is recommended that you fit
this softener to a municipal water supply.
Benefits include:
Energy savings; Increased life of electrical appliances (dishwashers, washing machines); Cost savings due
to reduced usage of soap and detergents fabric softeners and chemical cleaning products; Low maintenance
costs; Simple and automatic control of equipment.
Height 495 mm
Width 277 mm
Depth 550 mm
Super fast regeneration - completed in 10 minutes
Energy efficient regenerations
Easy salt filling
Non Electric unit
Tested and Certified by WQA under NSF/ANSI 61 for Materials Safety Re-
quirements
Resin volume 5.7 litres
Salt/regeneration 0.27 kg salt
Pressure rating 1.5 - 8 bar
Electrical connection N/A
YOUR WARRANTY DETAILS ARE STORED DIGITALLY
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All water softeners work on the same basic principal. Hard water flows through a bed of resin and the
calcium and magnesium, the minerals that are responsible for hard water, are removed. This does
NOT affect the ph value of your water supply.
Salt/Brine Tank
This particular softener’s cabinet is also the brine tank. You lift the lid and add the tablet salt to the
main cavity. When filling with salt make sure you don’t overfill it. The tank is fitted with an external
overflow - never fill above this level. You will need to check the salt level on a regular basis and top up
when required. You will find that you develop a routine and automatically top up after a set period of
time, either weekly or monthly. All households are different. If you notice the tank is completely empty
of salt, just perform a manual regeneration a few hours after refilling (see page 11 for instruction on
how to carry out a manual regeneration).
Regeneration Process
The resin in your softener needs a regular clean. This is the regeneration process. The resin is literally
washed with a brine solution .You can think of it like a washing machine cycle in that it will perform
several different processes to clean the softener. Water is drawn from the brine tank and flushed
through the system. At the end of the cycle, water is put back into the brine tank in order for the salt to
dissolve ready for the next time the machine needs to regenerate. The level of water in the tank will
depend on the type, size and water pressure feeding the softener. Dependent on the amount of salt in
the softener you may not even see the water level. Once the regeneration is complete the resin will be
able to supply soft water to your property.
How quickly will my softener start to work?
Your softener will produce soft water as soon as water passes through it. However, the size of your
property, water usage and the type of water system you have will determine how quickly you will notice
results. For example, if one person lives in a very large property with water fed from a storage tank
system (gravity feed) they may not see the benefit for several months until all the hard water that was
present in the storage tanks has been replaced with soft water. A large family in a smaller property with
a direct feed system will notice the results much quicker.
What happens in my softener?
Your softener doesn't show any visible signs or make any noise during the water softening process.
Water will only enter or leave the brine tank during regeneration. Salt is NOT used in the water
softening process - only during regeneration. The only time you will see or hear your softener working
is during the regeneration process.
Help?
If you require any additional information regarding your particular water softener, please contact our
technical support team via email. They can be reached at
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What to expect from your water softener?
[email protected]
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Siting the softener
 This should be as close to the rising main as possible. Allow hard water take off points for a drinking
water facility and /or an outside tap if required. With modern softeners this is not essential, due to the
quality of the resin.
 For easy DIY installation we recommend the fitting of a hard or filter water kit. If the stopcock is located in
a difficult position to create a hard water supply, you can fit a Reverse Osmosis system.
 The distance between the waste and the softener should be as short as possible.
 Ensure that both the waste and overflow are not subject to excessive temperatures (freezing or over 120°
F).
 If you are siting the softener in a cupboard, ensure that the base of the cupboard is adequately
supported.
 If the softener is being installed in a loft, it is recommended that you place the softener within a well
insulated 25-gallon tank. The overflow on the tank should be below the softener overflow and be a
minimum of ¾” in size.
Non Return Valve
In single dwellings, a single check valve should be fitted. This is supplied with our 15mm installation kits and
can be ordered separately.
Check list
If you purchased an EMWC fitting kit with your softener, all valves required for installation will be included.
Combi boilers require a Combi Kit. Pressurised systems require a 22mm Fitting Kit. Check you have ordered
the correct fitting kit for your installation, before you start.
Water Pressure Test
It is important that you carry out a pressure test. High and low water pressure can result in damage to/failure of
the softener. Although the softener is tested to a pressure of 8 bar we recommend the fitting of a pressure
limiter should your pressure exceed 5 bar (70 psi). We also recommend that any household appliance using
Planning your installation– the plumbing part.
Always observe the water bylaws. Make sure there is only one rising main and that you are allowing space for access to
the unit, for filling with salt and possible maintenance in the future.
 Check the water pressure - see below
 Locate the rising main (stop cock),
 You will need a waste facility
 The softener needs to be level
SUMO Water Softener
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before starting the installation of the valves, ensure your STOP COCK IS IN A
CLOSED position.
NEED HELP? Check our installation video hps://www.eastmidlandswater.com/FingVideos
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Page 5
Bypass valve
Inlet valve
Outlet
valve
22mm
pipework
(position)
22mm pipework
(position)
Typical Softener
Installation Valve
Configuration when
using a 15mm fitting kit
Typical softener installation valve
configuration when using a 22mm fitting
kit (pipework position indicated) Note:
22mm t-pieces and non return valves are
not included in the fitting kit.
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NEED HELP? Check our installation video. hps://www.eastmidlandswater.com/FingVideos
SUMO Water Softener
Drinking (hard)
water diverter kit
(available separately)
Installing your softener (the plumbing part)
Installations will vary. Ensure you have set up your inlet and outlet valves as per these configurations. We
recommend that you use a competent tradesman if you are unsure about any aspect of your installation.

SETTING UP YOUR SUMO SOFTENER
FITTING THE WASTE AND OVERFLOW CONNECTIONS
The waste and overflow connections need to be fitted by the end user. They are not preinstalled. This is to
protect the connections during transit.
Step 1 Remove the resin tank from the softener cabinet.
LIFT THE RESIN TANK FROM THE NECK - DO NOT TRY AND LIFT USING THE
WASTE CONNECTION AT THE TOP OF THE RESIN TANK.
SUMO Water Softener
Step 2
Inspect the brine valve to ensure that the large tube is correctly fitted and hasn't moved during shipping. En-
sure it is firmly in place. This is really important as the brine line will be under pressure when your Sumo sof-
tener is in service. Failure to check this element may result in leaks.
Step 3 Waste Connection
Connect the 1/2” tube to the waste elbow on the valve (Figure 2). Make sure that the waste tube is pushed
well into the elbow arbour (Figure 3). Placing the tube in hot water for a few minutes to warm it will make this
easier
The waste tube must bend around the valve - anti-clockwise to prevent kinks or blockages
Brine valve show-
ing large tube
Ensure that the bottom of
this valve is seated firmly.
Push it firmly into place if
is has loosened during
transit
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Figure 2 - looking down on
the top of the brine tank Figure 3
WASTE HOSE (anti clockwise direction)
Softener cabinet
Resin tank
LIFTFROMHERE
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FITTING THE WASTE AND THE OVERFLOW CONNECTION (continued)
SUMO Water Softener
Step 3 Installation of the waste and the overflow (continued from previous page)
Make sure there are no kinks or restrictions on the waste tube. Keep the tube as straight as possible to avoid
bottlenecks or syphoning. The waste installation must have suitable aeration to prevent waste water from
returning back to the softener. If you need to elevate the waste tube, it is possible to raise it a maximum of
1.5metres provided that the minimum inlet pressure is 4 bar. Double check that the waste is fitted around the
valve in an anti clockwise direction - failure to achieve this will result in damages in the waste pipe and to
your new softener.
Step 4 - Testing your incoming mains water for level of hardness.
Your Sumo water softener is supplied with a water test kit. Follow the simple instructions supplied with the kit
in order to establish the hardness of your water. It is measured in parts per million (ppm).
It is important that your softener is set up correctly in order to cope with the hardness of your water. Municipal
water supplies across the UK vary in degrees of hardness. Not all areas are the same. If you do not adjust or
check your hardness level setting, your softener might not operate correctly.
Step 5 Setting your hardness level
See diagrams and images on page 8. Familiarise yourself with the elements of the brine tank before
you start any adjustments.
1. Remove the small blue plastic locking clip on the adjustment knob. It is simply removed by gently using
your fingernail or a small screwdriver. It is plastic so over zealous removal may result in damage. Put
this clip to one side. The clip prevents any tampering or misuse of the settings.
2. By depressing the adjustment knob, you can rotate the dial to show the desired setting. The viewer for
the programmer has a small arrow which indicates which setting you have selected. The adjustment
knob is easily turned using a small flat head screwdriver with light downward pressure.
Ensure you line up your required softened water setting with this arrow. The schematic diagram shows the
letters A-H. Your Sumo softener will show a range of settings from 100 through to 525.
The dial will ‘click’ for each turn and increment the setting by varying units on each click.
Simply select the correct number to match your hardness setting as per the table below. For example if your
water hardness test shows your water at 360ppm - we recommend that you select 350 plus one click. If your
hardness is 270ppm select 250plus one click
Once you have selected the correct level, replace the blue plastic locking clip to prevent accidental move-
ment of the adjustment knob.
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260-270
280-290
150 + 8 clicks
200
200 + 1 click
200 + 2 clicks
200 + 3 clicks
200 + 4 clicks
250
250 + 1 click
250 + 2 clicks
300-320
330-340
350
350-400
400-450
450-500
500-525
525+
250 +3 clicks
250 + 4 clicks
350
350 + 1 click
350 + 2 clicks
350 + 3 clicks
350 + 4 clicks
525
Hardness
reading
Sumo Softener
Setting
Hardness
reading
Sumo Softener
Setting
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SETTING YOUR HARDNESS LEVEL
SUMO Water Softener
Hardness adjustment knob
(with blue clip)
Regeneration
activator
Viewer for programming
Meter dial
Close up of the hardness settings (meter dial) through the viewer. This is
set at 260 (250 plus one increased position).
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FITTING THE OVERFLOW CONNECTION
To connect the overflow you need the overflow hose (5/8” diameter) the rubber washer, the overflow elbow
and the securing nut (see box contents page 1)
SUMO Water Softener
Overflow
position on
the brine
tank
Step 1
Step 1
Put the rubber washer over the overflow
elbow threads.
Step 2
Position the overflow elbow on the outside
of the cabinet with the washer between
the cabinet and the elbow. Leave the
overflow in an upward position for now.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 3
Thread the nut onto the elbow so the nut
is on the inside of the cabinet. With the
elbow facing upwards, ensure the nut on
the inside is a snug finger tight tightness
Step 4
Holding the nut with your fingers on the
inside, turn the elbow so it points in a
downward direction. 
Step 5
Now push the 5/8” overflow hose onto the overflow elbow, as far as it will go. The hose will be a snug fit.
Warming the end of the hose in hot water will make the fitting easier.
Reassembling the softener
Place the resin tank back into the brine cabinet. The plastic collar will only allow the resin tank to sit in one position.
Ensure that you do not disturb the brine valve as you put the softener back together. You are now ready to connect your
softener to your water supply.
Page 9

Step 1 Connecting the hoses to your plumbing installation
Once you have completed the installation of the valves, put the valves into the
positions as shown in image 1 (here to the right).
If you have also installed a hard water supply kit and have only so far installed
the valve, make sure that this is also in the closed position.
You can now safely return the stop cock to the open position.
Using the hoses provided (if you purchased a fitting kit) connect the straight end
of the hoses to the valves.
 Make sure you insert the provided washers to the softener inlet and outlet
valves.
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Step 3 Waste Hose Installation
For this part of the installation you need to locate the softener waste hose into your waste connection. You have
already assembled the 1/2” waste hose (page 6) and the 5/8” overflow hose (page 6) to the softener.
All you need to do is run the hose to either an up stand or an outside waste. A minimum air gap of 20mm must
exist at the end of this waste/waste line.
If you need to extend this waste hose, it can be done by connecting to a 15mm copper tube for a maximum run
of 8 meters with a minimum daytime pressure of 40psi. Ensure that the waste hose is not kinked in any way
as this could lead to an overflow of the machine.
SUMO Water Softener
Flow direction
Image 1
Step 2 Connecting the hoses to the softener
Connect the angled end of the hoses to the
softener. The softener inlets and outlets are
indicated with an embossed directional arrow on
the top. MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT THE
HOSES THE CORRECT WAY ROUND. Incorrect
connection could result in damage.
Now ensure that your softener is in the correct
position to finalise the installation.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CONFIGURED THE
SOFTENER FOR YOUR WATER HARDNESS
(see page 7)
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Water IN
Water
OUT
CONNECTING YOUR SOFTENER TO YOUR WATER SUPPLY
SOFTENER INLET AND
OUTLET = CLOSED
BYPASS VALVE =
OPEN
Step 4 Overflow Installation
The overflow hose must be run downhill to an internal or external waste without kinks or restrictions. It is
recommended that the overflow hose be visible when it exits an outside wall. You should not allow the contents
of the brine tank to impede the overflow (salt and brine) in any way. If this happens, it could cause water to
overflow and flood.

SUMO Water Softener
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Page 11
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STARTING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME
(or when the softener has been out of service for any length of time)
Before starting up the system, please check that all steps prior to installation, assembly and programming have
been followed according to these instructions. Not all water softeners are the same and some of the finer detail
may be overlooked.
Do not put any salt in the softener until the end of the start up. To prevent any air pressure on the water softener
and the pipes please follow these instructions.
1. Leave the bypass valve in the bypass position.
2. Fully open two or more cold and treated taps located after the water softener. This is to remove all the air
trapped inside the installation and to check there are no water leaks. Close these taps after about 20
seconds.
3. Add 10cm/4inches of water to the brine tank
4. Slowly open the bypass to allow water to flow into the system. Keep the bypass partially open at this point.
5. The softener will automatically start a regeneration process and the water in the brine tank should start to
descend slowly. If the system does not go into an automatic regeneration at this point, start a manual
regeneration. See box below.
6. When the water starts to flow continuously to waste, fully open the water inlet valve to the system. At this
point you may notice that the waste water may have a slight yellowy/brownish tinge. This is completely
normal as the resin is being used for the first time. Preservatives in the system are being washed away.
7. Let the softener finish this regeneration process. After a few minutes more the softener will cut the flow of
water to the waste and refill the brine tank
8. Leave the softener in this position until water stops flowing into the tank. At this point the water level
should be approximately 7-10cm above the bottom of the tank.
9. Check the brine line (page 6) and make sure there are no leaks after the refilling process has finished.
10. Now add salt to the brine tank, taking care not to exceed the level of the overflow. We recommend that
you use water softener specific tablet salt. Do not use other forms of salt as these will damage your
softener.
HOW TO INSTIGATE A MANUAL REGENERATION
Using a number 2 Phillips screwdriver, press the regeneration activator
and turn slowly CLOCKWISE until you hear four ‘clicks’. This will instigate
the regeneration. At this point the flow of the water inside the unit will be
audible. If you cannot hear water moving through the system, you need to
check that you have advanced the dial sufficiently.
Regeneration activator

SUMO Water Softener
Page 12
MAINTENANCE
Now that your water softener is installed and up and running it requires very little maintenance. The key thing is
ensure that it always has a supply of salt in the brine tank.
Salt replenishment
Ensure that you check the tank on a regular basis. If you allow the salt to run down before refilling, the system
will produce hard water until the salt is replenished.
Check that you replace the brine tank cover correctly after inspection or refilling with salt.
Sometimes it is possible that a ‘salt bridge’ forms inside the brine tank where an empty space is left between
the water and the salt, which prevents it from dissolving. This means that the water softener will not be
regenerating correctly and will be supplying hard water.
If you think you have a salt bridge, simply take a rigid tool like a wooden spatula and gently push down in sev-
eral places until it breaks. In addition, salt sometimes sticks to the side of the brine tank and is left high and dry.
Again simply take a blunt wooden spatula and gently push the salt into the brine. Do not use a sharp implement
in any instance as this will result in damage to the brine tank.
Anti scaling
The resin in your softener is what keeps your water soft so it is important that you take the best care you can of
this important part of your investment.
We recommend that you carryout an anti scaling process every few months. This will help lengthen the life of
your softener, especially in extremely hard water areas.
You can purchase this softener cleaner from many online retailers. This product is available under many
different names but it is basically a water softener resin cleaner. For further advice please contact our sales
department on 0116 276 3334. This product is available on our website as Neat Work resin cleaner
https://www.eastmidlandswater.com/softener-mate-4-sachet-12-month-supply/781
Re-commissioning a softener that has been disconnected for a period of time
From time to time, it may be necessary to decommission your water softener for a number of reasons. This is
why its necessary to install a bypass facility to enable straightforward removal of the softener.
We recommend you take the following precautions to protect your investment;
Remove as much of the brine and salt from the cabinet as possible. If you have advance warning that you
are removing the softener, then you might choose to run the salt down as much as possible.
Disconnect the softener from the water supply.
Remove any remaining salt and brine from the brine tank
Thoroughly clean and dry the unit both inside and out.
Protect from dirt and dust by using a large plastic bag and a suitable cardboard box. If you hare having
renovations carried out at your property, it will be worthwhile to ensure that the unit is removed from site.
If you are transporting the softener, ensure that you protect all connections such as the overflow, waste and the
inlet and outlet from damage. Make sure the softener is well padded and protected and that you keep it upright.
When you are ready to re-install, connect up as per these instructions and ensure you carry out a full
regeneration process. If you are moving area, ensure that you check the level of water hardness in the new
area and adjust the hardness settings on the softener accordingly.
Welcome to the world of soft water!