/>Hi, I'm August C. I live in Saskatchewan.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my homeowner experience with local tap water from the city and the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased.
This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.
The Hard Water Reality That Changed Everything
Did you know that over 85% of North American homes deal with hard water issues?
I certainly didn't realize how much it was costing me until I started adding up the damage. Living in Saskatchewan, https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com our municipal water comes loaded with calcium and magnesium minerals that were wreaking havoc on everything in my home.
The problems started small but grew expensive fast. My coffee maker died after eighteen months—completely clogged with white, crusty buildup. The dishwasher left spots on every glass, no matter what detergent I used. But the real wake-up call came when my plumber told me my water heater was operating at about 60% efficiency due to mineral scale buildup.
I was spending extra money on soap that barely lathered, dealing with dry skin that no amount of lotion seemed to help, and watching my appliances fail prematurely. The final straw was when I calculated I'd spent over $800 in the past two years replacing small appliances that had succumbed to hard water damage.
That's when I realized I needed a real solution, not just temporary fixes.
Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite HE System
>After researching water softening options for three weeks, I was overwhelmed by the choices. Salt-based versus salt-free systems, different brands claiming superior technology, and price ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
The SoftPro Elite HE caught my attention because it combines both water softening and filtration in one unit. This meant I could address the hardness minerals while also removing chlorine and other contaminants that affect taste and odor.
What sold me was the high-efficiency design. The system uses up to 50% less salt and water during regeneration compared to traditional softeners. Given Saskatchewan's focus on water conservation, this efficiency appealed to both my environmental conscience and my wallet.
The SoftPro Valve technology was another deciding factor. Unlike basic timer-based systems, this meter-initiated regeneration means the system only regenerates when needed, based on actual water usage rather than an arbitrary schedule.
Unboxing and First Impressions
When the SoftPro Elite HE arrived, I was immediately impressed by the packaging quality. Everything was secured properly, and nothing showed any shipping damage.
The main softener tank felt substantial—not flimsy like some units I'd seen in stores. The fiberglass construction gives it a professional appearance that doesn't look out of place in my utility room.
All components were included: the softener tank, brine tank, SoftPro Valve head, bypass valve, salt, and detailed installation instructions. The manual was actually readable, with clear diagrams and step-by-step photos.
One pleasant surprise was the compact footprint. Even though this is a whole-house system, it doesn't dominate my basement space like I'd feared it might.
Installation Experience: Easier Than Expected
> I'll be honest—I was nervous about installing this myself. I'm handy around the house, but plumbing has always intimidated me.
The installation took me about four hours on a Saturday morning. Most of that time was spent reading instructions twice and triple-checking connections. The actual work was straightforward.
I needed to shut off the main water supply and cut into the main line where it enters my house. The trickiest part was soldering the new fittings, but even that went smoothly with basic plumbing skills.
The SoftPro Valve head connected easily to the tank, and the salt tank setup required no tools—just connecting the brine line. The bypass valve installation allows me to route water around the system for maintenance without shutting off water to the entire house.
After turning the water back on and checking for leaks (there were none), I programmed the control head with my water hardness level and household size. The digital display made this process simple.
Within thirty minutes of completion, I was already noticing softer water from every faucet.
Real-World Performance: Six Months of Results
> The transformation in my daily water experience has been remarkable. Let me share the specific improvements I've documented over six months of use.
Water Quality Improvements:
My municipal water tested at 18 grains per gallon hardness before treatment. Post-softener tests consistently show less than 1 grain per gallon—essentially zero hardness.
The chlorine taste and odor that was always present in my tap water disappeared completely. I now fill water bottles directly from the tap instead of buying cases of bottled water.
Appliance Performance:
My dishwasher now leaves glassware spotless without rinse aid. I've reduced detergent usage by about 40% while getting better cleaning results.
The coffee maker that used to require weekly descaling hasn't needed cleaning once in six months. Coffee tastes noticeably better without the metallic undertones from hard water.
Personal Care Benefits:
The difference in shower experience was immediate. Soap lathers easily, and my skin feels softer without that tight, dry feeling I'd grown accustomed to.
My wife noticed her hair feels silkier and more manageable. We've both reduced the amount of shampoo and body wash we use.
Household Maintenance:
Bathroom cleaning is significantly easier. The white buildup that used to accumulate on faucets and shower doors has stopped appearing.
Laundry comes out brighter, and clothes feel softer without fabric softener. I estimate we're using 30% less laundry detergent while achieving better results.
