This article contains sponsored content. Guest Post By NARA Member, Eric Schnakenberg, Area Manager at Chem Aqua Midwest Chlorides – What are they? The short answer is salt. Where do they come from? Most likely your water softener and its regeneration process. These softeners are great plant assets used to protect the boilers, scrubbers, and other water using equipment in plant operations, but they discharge chlorides during their cleaning cycles.