/>Hi, I'm Rosanna C, and I call Montana home. Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips reached out and asked if I'd be willing to share my real-world experience as a homeowner dealing with our city's tap water using the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) that I bought. Here's exactly how my journey unfolded, and I genuinely hope my story helps guide your decision-making process.
The Problem That Started It All
Living in Montana, I thought city water would be our salvation after years of dealing with well water issues at our previous home. Boy, was I wrong.
Within three months of moving into our new place, I started noticing things that made my heart sink. White, chalky buildup appeared around our faucets like clockwork. My coffee maker—a high-end machine I'd invested in—began making coffee that tasted flat and bitter. The worst part? My skin felt tight and itchy after every shower, and my hair looked dull despite using the same products that worked perfectly at our old place.
I called the city water department, and they assured me everything met EPA standards. Technically, they were right. But "safe to drink" and "pleasant to live with" are two entirely different things.
The breaking point came when I hosted my sister's family for Thanksgiving. She pulled me aside and asked, "What's wrong with your water? The kids' skin is breaking out, and everything tastes weird." I was mortified.
That's when I dove deep into research mode. I learned that our city water contained 18 grains per gallon of hardness—considered "very hard" by any standard. The chlorine levels were maxed out at 4 PPM, https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com and iron content sat at 2.3 PPM. No wonder everything tasted like I was drinking from a swimming pool.
My Research Journey and Why I Chose This System
>I spent two solid weeks researching water treatment options. Did you know that most "water softeners" only address hardness but ignore chlorine, iron, and other contaminants that affect taste and smell?
I didn't either, until I started digging deeper.
I initially looked at basic salt-based softeners from the big box stores. They were cheaper—around $400-600—but they only tackled hardness minerals. I'd still be stuck with chlorine taste and iron staining.
Then I discovered combination systems that could handle multiple issues at once. The SoftPro Elite HE caught my attention because it promised to address hardness, chlorine, iron, and several other contaminants in a single unit. The high-efficiency design meant lower salt consumption and less waste water during regeneration cycles.
What sealed the deal for me was learning about the SoftPro Valve technology. Unlike some systems that use third-party components, this valve was specifically engineered for the system's dual-purpose design. The 10-year warranty on the valve gave me confidence that this wasn't a fly-by-night operation.
I also appreciated that the system was sized for our household of four with room to grow. At 48,000 grain capacity, it could handle our daily water usage without constant regeneration cycles.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The system arrived in early March on a freight truck. I wasn't prepared for the size—this thing is substantial. The main tank stands about 54 inches tall and 13 inches in diameter. The brine tank adds another footprint that required some basement reorganization.
Build quality impressed me immediately. The resin tank felt solid, not like the flimsy plastic I'd seen on cheaper units. The SoftPro Valve housing looked robust with clear, easy-to-read displays. All the fittings and connections appeared commercial-grade.
The documentation package was thorough—installation manual, operation guide, warranty information, and a water testing guide. Everything felt professional and well-thought-out.
One surprise: the system came with a bypass valve already installed. This small detail saved me a trip to the hardware store and showed attention to the complete installation experience.
Installation Experience
> I hired a local plumber for installation, which cost $320 and took about three hours. While I'm handy with basic home repairs, cutting into the main water line felt beyond my comfort zone.
The plumber mentioned that the SoftPro system was easier to install than some others he'd worked with. The pre-installed bypass valve and clear connection points simplified the process. We installed it downstream from the main shutoff but before the water heater, as recommended.
Initial startup required programming the SoftPro Valve with our water hardness level and household size. The digital interface made this straightforward—just follow the prompts and enter the numbers. We used the provided test strip to confirm our water hardness, which measured exactly 18 grains per gallon as I'd expected.
The first regeneration cycle ran that evening. I was surprised how quiet it was—just a gentle whooshing sound that lasted about 90 minutes. Much quieter than the old water heater cycling.
Performance Testing and Real-World Results
> I'm a numbers person, so I tracked everything meticulously. Here's what happened:
Week 1: Immediate improvement in taste and smell. The chlorine taste disappeared completely. Coffee tasted normal again. Soap lathered better in the shower.
Month 1: Tested water hardness with new strips—down to less than 1 grain per gallon. Iron staining on fixtures stopped appearing. Skin irritation reduced significantly.
Month 3: Existing mineral buildup on fixtures gradually dissolved. Dishwasher performance improved—no more spots on glassware. Laundry felt softer.
Month 6: System performance remained consistent. Regeneration frequency stabilized at every 8-10 days based on our usage patterns. Salt consumption averaged 40 pounds per month.
I also tested for specific contaminants the system claimed to remove:
Chlorine: Reduced from 4.0 PPM to undetectable levels
Iron: Reduced from 2.3 PPM to 0.1 PPM
Hardness: Reduced from 18 GPG to <1 GPG
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): Reduced from 340 PPM to 195 PPM
The system also addresses these common contaminants found in city water:
Lead, Mercury, Copper, Zinc, Aluminum, Nickel, Chromium, Silver, Cadmium, Selenium, Barium, Radium 226/228, Hydrogen Sulfide, Manganese, Turbidity, Sediment, Taste and Odor Issues, Organics, Tannins, and Color
