Hi, I'm Dan C. I live in St. Louis.

Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my homeowner experience with the 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.
Why I Finally Had to Do Something About Our Water Problem
Did you know that St. Louis has some of the hardest water in Missouri?

I didn't realize this until I started seeing the telltale signs everywhere in my home. White crusty buildup around every faucet, my coffee maker dying every 18 months like clockwork, and my wife constantly complaining about her hair feeling like straw after every shower.

The final straw came last spring when our water heater started making these awful rumbling sounds. The plumber who came out to service it showed me the limestone-like deposits coating the heating elements. "You've got seriously hard water," he said, scraping off chunks of mineral buildup. "This is what's killing your appliances."

That's when I started researching water quality in our area. St. Louis gets its water primarily from the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and while the city does a good job making it safe to drink, they don't remove the dissolved calcium and magnesium that create hardness. Our water tested at 18 grains per gallon – well into the "very hard" category that causes all these problems.

The hidden costs were adding up fast. Beyond the appliance replacements, we were going through expensive shampoos and lotions trying to counteract the drying effects. Our dishes came out of the dishwasher spotted, https://www.trustpilot.com/review/softprowatersystems.com and I was constantly scrubbing white films off everything. Something had to change.
Research Phase: Understanding What I Actually Needed [

](https://www.softprowatersystems.com/products/softpro-elite-water-softener)

I'll be honest – I went down a rabbit hole researching water treatment options. Salt-based softeners, salt-free conditioners, reverse osmosis systems, whole house filters. The information was overwhelming, and every company claimed their technology was the best.

What I learned is that true water softening requires ion exchange – a process where hard minerals get swapped out for sodium ions. Salt-free systems don't actually remove hardness; they just change how minerals behave. For our level of hardness and the problems we were experiencing, I needed legitimate softening.

The SoftPro Elite HE caught my attention because it combines traditional water softening with carbon filtration in one system. Living in an urban area, I was concerned about chlorine, chloramines, and other treatment chemicals the city adds. This system promised to address both the hardness and the chemical taste/odor issues with a single unit.

I compared capacity ratings, efficiency certifications, and warranty coverage. The Elite HE is rated for households up to 6 people with very hard water, which gave us plenty of headroom. The high-efficiency design meant less salt usage and fewer regenerations compared to basic softeners. After three weeks of research, I felt confident this was the right choice for our situation.
Installation Experience and First Impressions
I hired a local plumber to handle the installation since it required cutting into our main water line and adding a bypass valve. The system arrived well-packaged with clear documentation and all necessary components.

The physical unit is substantial – about the size of a tall garbage can – but the build quality impressed me immediately. The control valve is electronic with a clear digital display, and the resin tank feels solidly constructed. The carbon filter housing integrates seamlessly with the softener head.

My plumber, who's installed dozens of different water treatment systems, commented on the quality of the fittings and the logical layout of the connections. "This is designed by people who actually install these things," he said while working on the plumbing connections.

The installation took about 3 hours, including the time to install a dedicated drain line for the regeneration cycle. We placed it in our basement utility room with easy access to the electrical outlet and main water line. The compact design fit perfectly in the space we had available.

Initial setup involved programming our water hardness level, household size, and regeneration preferences into the digital control head. The manual was actually helpful – not the usual confusing technical jargon. Within 4 hours of the plumber arriving, we had soft water flowing throughout the house.
Performance Testing: The Numbers That Matter
I'm a bit of a data nerd, so I documented everything. Before installation, our water tested at 18 grains per gallon hardness and had a noticeable chlorine smell. I used both test strips and a digital TDS meter to get baseline measurements.

After the system ran through its initial regeneration cycle, the results were dramatic. Hardness dropped to less than 1 grain per gallon – essentially zero hard minerals. The chlorine odor disappeared completely thanks to the carbon filtration stage. Total dissolved solids decreased by about 30%, indicating effective removal of various contaminants.

More importantly, the practical improvements were immediate. Within 24 hours, I noticed the difference.

Water felt "slippery" in a good way – that's the soap actually lathering properly instead of forming scum. Coffee tasted noticeably better without the metallic undertones. My wife's hair felt softer after the first wash.

I've been tracking regeneration frequency closely. The system averages about 8-10 days between cycles with our family of four and typical water usage. Each regeneration uses approximately 6 pounds of salt and runs for about 90 minutes during the pre-programmed 2 AM cycle.

The efficiency really shows in our salt consumption. We're using about 40 pounds of salt per month, which is significantly less than the basic softener our neighbors have. The high-efficiency design means more of each regeneration actually restores the resin bed instead of just flushing salt down the drain.
Real-World Impact on Daily Living
Six months in, the transformation of our daily water experience continues to surprise me. The most obvious change is in cleaning – soap scum simply doesn't form anymore. Our shower doors stay clear, and weekly bathroom cleaning became much easier.

My wife's skin and hair improvements weren't just psychological. She's a nurse who washes her hands dozens of times per shift, and the dry, cracked skin problems she dealt with for years have virtually disappeared. Her dermatologist even commented on the improvement during a routine visit.

Our appliances are showing measurable improvements too.

The dishwasher produces spot-free glassware without rinse aids. Our washing machine uses 30% less detergent for the same cleaning results. Most significantly, our water heater has stopped making those concerning rumbling sounds, and the monthly energy bill decreased slightly due to improved heat transfer efficiency.

Coffee and tea taste dramatically different – cleaner and more flavorful without mineral interference. We stopped buying bottled water for drinking, which saves about $40 per month. Even ice cubes from our freezer are clearer and taste better.

The carbon filtration component addresses city water treatment chemicals effectively. The swimming pool chlorine smell that used to hit us when filling the bathtub is completely gone. Food preparation with city water no longer requires letting it sit to "de-gas" chlorine odors.

Unexpected benefits include longer-lasting bar soap (it actually dissolves properly now) and brighter laundry colors. Whites stay whiter, and colors don't fade as quickly because minerals aren't depositing in fabric fibers during washing.
Operating Costs and Maintenance Reality
The ongoing costs are reasonable and predictable. Salt consumption averages 40 pounds monthly at about $6-8 depending where I buy it. I've found that solar salt pellets work best – they dissolve completely and leave minimal residue in the brine tank.

The carbon filter requires replacement every 6-12 months depending on chlorine levels and usage. Replacement filters cost around $75, and the change-out process takes about 15 minutes with basic tools. The system clearly indicates when filter replacement is due.

Quarterly maintenance involves checking salt levels and occasionally cleaning the brine tank. I've found that keeping the salt level above the water line prevents bridging and ensures consistent regeneration. The digital display shows salt level status, so there's no guesswork involved.

Annual operating costs total approximately $150-200, including salt and filter replacements.

This compares favorably to the $300 we were spending annually on bottled water, frequent appliance repairs, and specialty soaps and shampoos for hard water.

The system monitors its own performance and alerts me to any issues. So far, the only "maintenance" has been adding salt and replacing the carbon filter once. The ion exchange resin should last 10-15 years with normal usage and proper maintenance.

Energy consumption is minimal – the control valve uses about as much electricity as a digital clock. Regeneration cycles use approximately 45 gallons of water, which adds maybe $3 monthly to our water bill based on local rates.
Honest Assessment: What Could Be Better
No system is perfect, and the SoftPro Elite HE has a few limitations worth mentioning. The initial cost is substantial – around $1,800 plus installation. While the long-term savings justify this expense, it's a significant upfront investment that not everyone can make easily.

The system requires floor space that some homes don't have available. Our basement utility room accommodated it easily, but apartments or homes without basements might struggle with placement. The unit weighs about 200 pounds when loaded with salt and water.

Salt storage and handling isn't glamorous.

Forty-pound bags get heavy, especially for older homeowners or those with mobility issues. I keep 2-3 bags in reserve, which requires dedicated storage space in a dry area.

Regeneration cycles are noticeable if you're awake during the scheduled time. Water pressure drops slightly, and you can hear the system cycling if it's installed near living areas. Programming regeneration for 2-3 AM minimizes this impact, but shift workers might find it disruptive.

The digital display, while generally user-friendly, occasionally shows error codes that require consulting the manual. Most issues resolve with simple resets, but it would be helpful if common problems had more intuitive solutions.

Sodium addition from the softening process means softened water isn't ideal for people on strict low-sodium diets. We installed a separate drinking water tap that bypasses the softener for anyone who prefers unsoftened water for consumption.
Final Verdict: Six Months Later
Would I make the same purchase decision again? Absolutely.

The SoftPro Elite HE has exceeded my expectations for solving our hard water problems while providing additional benefits I didn't anticipate.

The combination of effective water softening with carbon filtration addresses multiple water quality issues in one system. Installation was straightforward with professional help, and operation has been essentially maintenance-free beyond adding salt and replacing the filter.

Most importantly, the quality-of-life improvements justify every dollar spent. Better-tasting water, healthier skin and hair, cleaner dishes, and protected appliances make daily living more pleasant. The monthly operating costs are reasonable and predictable.

This system works best for homeowners dealing with moderate to severe hard water who want a comprehensive solution. If you're only concerned with chlorine taste or have mild hardness issues, simpler systems might be more cost-effective. But for addressing multiple water quality problems simultaneously, the Elite HE delivers excellent value.

After six months of reliable operation and consistent performance, I'm confident this system will serve our family well for many years. The investment in better water quality has already paid dividends in appliance protection, reduced maintenance, and daily comfort improvements that make our house feel more like a home.