Correct Option: D

Water softening is the reduction of the concentration of calcium, magnesium, and certain other metal cations in hard water. Hardness ions dissolved in water can cause a variety of undesired effects including interfering with the action of soaps, the buildup of limescale, which can foul plumbing, and galvanic corrosion. Conventional water-softening appliances intended for household use depend on an ion-exchange resin in which hardness ions are exchanged for sodium ions. Water softening may be desirable where the source of water is hard. However, hard water also conveys some benefits to health by reducing the solubility of potentially toxic metal ions such as lead and copper.