A brine tank provides a supply of brine to a commercial water softening system that is located remotely from the brine tank. Fresh water is delivered into the brine tank through a central header pipe from which a plurality of perforated risers extends laterally to both sides of the central header pipe. The perforated risers are located beneath the inlet opening for the delivery of loose salt, yet spaced from the brine pump so that a uniform salt concentration will be attained in the brine before being pumped to the water softener. The inlet opening for the delivery of loose salt is provided with a double leaf hatch cover to provide a receiving opening that is larger than the inlet opening into the brine tank so that loose salt can be funneled into the brine tank without significant spillage on the ground.