Water that tastes like a swimming pool and leaves white crud on everything isn't exactly what you'd call "living the dream." Keith Z. here from Indiana, and after six months with the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo), I'm convinced this thing might just be the best investment I've made for my house since I bought it. Want to know if it actually lives up to the hype?
Stick around — what I discovered might surprise you.
The Problem That Made Me Finally Act
Let me paint you a picture of my water situation before this SoftPro system entered my life. Every morning, I'd wake up to coffee that tasted like it was brewed with pool water. The chlorine smell hit you the moment you turned on any faucet, and don't even get me started on the white, chalky buildup coating every surface in my bathroom.
My wife started complaining about her hair feeling like straw after every shower. Our dishwasher — barely two years old — already had mineral deposits caking the heating element. I was scrubbing lime scale off faucets weekly, and it felt like a losing battle.
But here's what really got my attention:
I tested our city water and found 18 grains per gallon of hardness. That's not just hard water — that's practically liquid rock. The chlorine levels were pushing 3 parts per million, which explains why every glass of water tasted like I was drinking from the community pool.
I'd been putting off dealing with it for months, thinking maybe it wasn't that bad. But when I calculated how much we were spending on bottled water, descaling products, and the inevitable early replacement of appliances, the math became crystal clear. Something had to change.
Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite HE Over Everything Else
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I'll be honest — I spent weeks researching water softeners. I looked at salt-based systems, salt-free conditioners, and even considered whole-house reverse osmosis. But most systems either tackled hardness OR chlorine, not both effectively.
The SoftPro Elite HE caught my attention because it's essentially two systems in one. The carbon pre-filter handles chlorine and chloramines, while the high-efficiency resin tackles the mineral content. What sealed the deal was the SoftPro Valve technology — it's designed for maximum efficiency with minimal waste.
Here's what made me pull the trigger:
The system uses Vortech™ distribution technology, which creates a fluidized bed during regeneration. Translation? More efficient cleaning of the resin, which means better performance and longer life. The carbon filter is rated for 100,000 gallons, and the softener resin can handle my household's demand with regenerations every 8-10 days.
Plus, it's built for city water specifically. Many softeners are designed as one-size-fits-all solutions, but this SoftPro system addresses the unique challenges of municipally treated water — chlorine, chloramines, and moderate to high hardness levels.
Installation Day: What Actually Happened
I decided to have this professionally installed, and I'm glad I did. The plumber showed up on a Tuesday morning and had the entire system running in about four hours. The SoftPro unit itself is surprisingly compact — it fit perfectly in the corner of my utility room where I'd measured.
The installation process was straightforward:
First, he shut off the main water supply and drained the lines. Then he cut into the main line just after the water meter and installed the bypass valves. The SoftPro Valve connected easily to the resin tank and carbon filter housing.
One thing I appreciated: the system came with clear installation documentation and all necessary fittings. No trips to the hardware store for mystery parts. The drain line installation was simple — just a run to my utility sink.
The initial startup took about 30 minutes. The plumber programmed the SoftPro Valve for my water hardness (18 grains) and household size (4 people). He ran a complete regeneration cycle to ensure everything was working properly.
First impressions? The unit operates quietly. I was worried about noise during regeneration cycles, but it's barely audible even when standing right next to it.
Performance Results: The Numbers Don't Lie
Within 24 hours, I could taste the difference. That chlorine smell was completely gone, and water actually tasted like... water. But I wanted hard data, so I tested everything.
Before SoftPro Elite HE:
• Hardness: 18 grains per gallon
• Chlorine: 3.2 ppm
• TDS: 340 ppm
• Iron: 0.8 ppm (slight metallic taste)
After SoftPro Elite HE:
• Hardness: 0 grains per gallon
• Chlorine: 0 ppm
• TDS: 180 ppm
• Iron: 0 ppm
The carbon pre-filter eliminated every trace of chlorine and chloramines. The difference in taste and smell was immediate and dramatic. The SoftPro resin completely eliminated the hardness minerals — my test strips showed zero grains consistently.
But here's what surprised me most:
The system's efficiency exceeded my expectations. Based on my water usage and hardness level, I expected regeneration every 6-7 days. The SoftPro Valve's demand-initiated regeneration actually stretched this to 8-10 days, using only the salt necessary for effective cleaning.
After three months, I tested the carbon filter performance. Still removing 100% of detectable chlorine. The Vortech™ technology seems to be keeping the resin bed clean and effective.
Daily Life Changes: What My Family Noticed
The transformation went way beyond just better-tasting water. My wife mentioned within a week that her hair felt softer and more manageable. She's actually using less conditioner now.
Our morning routine changed completely:
Coffee tastes incredible now. I'd gotten so used to that chlorine aftertaste that I forgot what good coffee was supposed to taste like. We stopped buying bottled water entirely — saving about $40 per month right there.
Shower experience improved dramatically. No more dry, itchy skin after hot showers. The soap lathers better and rinses clean. I noticed I'm using about half as much body wash and shampoo.
Kitchen improvements were immediate: Dishes come out of the dishwasher spot-free. Ice cubes are crystal clear instead of cloudy. Pasta water doesn't have that metallic taste anymore.
The biggest surprise was how much easier cleaning became. No more scrubbing lime scale off faucets. The glass shower doors stay clear longer. Even our stainless steel appliances look better because there's no mineral residue in the water.
Operating Costs: The Real Financial Picture
Let's talk money because that's what everyone wants to know. The SoftPro Elite HE uses about 40 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle. With regenerations every 8-10 days, that's roughly 150 pounds of salt monthly.
Monthly operating costs break down like this:
• Salt: $12 (buying in bulk)
• Water for regeneration: $8
• Electricity: $3
• Carbon filter replacement (annual): $15 divided by 12 = $1.25
Total monthly cost: $24.25
Compare that to what we were spending before:
• Bottled water: $40/month
• Descaling products: $15/month
• Extra soap and detergent: $10/month
Previous monthly waste: $65
Net monthly savings: $40.75
The carbon filter replacement is straightforward — once annually for my usage level. The SoftPro system makes it easy with twist-off housings and clear replacement indicators.
Over the six months I've had it, the efficiency has remained consistent. No decline in performance, no unexpected maintenance costs. The SoftPro Valve's diagnostic display shows system status clearly, so there are no surprises.
Maintenance Reality: What You Actually Need to Do
Maintaining this SoftPro system is surprisingly simple. Every two weeks, I check the salt level in the brine tank. It takes literally 30 seconds. When it gets down to about 6 inches above the water level, I add a couple of bags.
My maintenance routine:
Monthly: Check the bypass valves to ensure they're in the correct position. Test water hardness with strips to confirm the system is working. Clean the brine tank rim if salt has crystallized there.
Quarterly: Inspect the carbon filter housing for any signs of wear or leaks. Check the drain line to make sure it's flowing freely. Review the SoftPro Valve's regeneration history on the digital display.
The annual carbon filter change is the only "major" maintenance task. The housing unscrews by hand, the old filter slides out, and the new one slides in. Takes maybe 10 minutes total.
What I appreciate most: The SoftPro Valve keeps track of everything. Water usage, regeneration cycles, system errors — it's all logged. No guessing about when maintenance is due.
Six months in, I haven't had a single issue. No service calls, no unexpected problems, no performance degradation. Just consistent, reliable water treatment.
Final Verdict: Was It Worth the Investment?
After six months with the SoftPro Elite HE, I can say definitively that this system delivers on its promises. The combination of chlorine removal and water softening solved every water quality issue I had.
What impressed me most:
The engineering is solid. The SoftPro Valve technology actually works as advertised — efficient regeneration, minimal waste, reliable performance. The Vortech™ distribution system keeps the resin bed clean and effective.
The water quality improvement exceeded my expectations. Zero hardness, zero chlorine, and water that actually tastes good. My family noticed the difference immediately, and six months later, we're still appreciating the benefits.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. The performance has been flawless, the operating costs are reasonable, and the maintenance is minimal. For city water with moderate to high hardness, this SoftPro system is exactly what I needed.
The bottom line: If you're dealing with hard, chlorinated city water and want a single solution that handles both issues effectively, https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com the SoftPro Elite HE is worth serious consideration. It's not the cheapest option, but the performance, efficiency, and reliability make it a solid long-term investment.