We have well water, so keep that in mind. But, even if we had city water we would do the same. We have a water softener and a dedicated water filter. The water filter only goes to the ice maker and the drinking water spout mounted at the sink. The water softener goes to the entire house.

You are correct that filters will not remove the hardness of water. You need a softener for that.

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It depends on the type of the filter, a reverse osmosis filter will get rid of *everything* but it's maybe 1/4 gal/minute and will waste quite a bit of water.

We're also on a well with crappy water, our setup looks like this:

1. Sediment filter.
2. Charcoal filter to get rid of H2S.
3. UV filter to get rid of bios
4. Softener to lower PH and remove Fe
5. RO under the kitchen sink with it's own sediment and charcoal filters to make the water taste awesome.

#1-#2 get replaced every 2-3 months, the softener gets cycled every 10 days and needs more salt+proban every 4-5 months.

We don't do either in our house, but my parents have a whole house system that filters and softens. Also has a second stage filter and spigot at the sink. It's awesome. They've had it for going on 20 years with no issues.

Why doesn't Matt like the taste of your poo? I think your poo tastes great.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

we're on well water, tastes great but had it tested and has higher levels of nitrates and atrazene. Very concerned about atrazene so I installed an under the sink filter (2 stage Aquasana) for drinking, rinsing and cooking. R/O wastes too damn much water and takes too many minerals out of water for my 'taste'. If I were to take any additional steps I would add a whole house filter mostly for sediment/rust at point of entry. They are cheap to buy and maintain.

Im not sure softeners are made for removing chlorine. Usually for iron or sulfer, and they need to be loaded with the proper media for each. Im assuming your on city water since your concern is chlorine. I would say contact a water guy. Idk if there are any in your area but there a dime a dozen were well water is the main source.
If by chance your on a well , whole house r/o is the way to go imo. Once you shower with r/o youll never go back . Awsome for laundry and you can wash your vehicles and not have to dry , comes out spot free! I use the waste water to irrigate my front yard .

Water softeners are typically IX based (ion-exchange resins), using salt (NaCl) as a regenerant. The conc. of chlorine in drinking water water is typically around 2 ppm. At that level it will not do any harm to a IX based water softner. These softeners are designed to do exactly what the name implies - remove minerals associated with hardness: these include Ca, Mg, Al, and to a lesser degree, Fe.

I suspect whoever told you this mixed his/her terms and was referring to a RO (Reverse Osmosis) system. An RO system will soften your water, but also most other ionic, dissolved and suspended contaminants - including organics. BUT chlorine is very hard on RO (Reverse Osmosis) membranes. Most cellulose acetate RO membranes start to degrade at 2+ ppm Cl.

As a rule - if your water source is deep ground water (i.e. well), you most likely need only a water softener. Unless you are in a fraking zone and then you may need a very good RO

In your water source is surface - i.e. municipal feed from a river or lake, and your water smells a bit, then RO is the way to go (a carbon filter (i.e. Brita) is another choice)
Some municipal waters are hard as well and then you may need an RO or even both - a softner first, followed by a RO.

Also - if you are on a sodium restricted diet, you may want to avoid water softners. A glass of softened water has almost as much sodium as a glass of Coke.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

Water softeners are typically IX based (ion-exchange resins), using salt (NaCl) as a regenerant. The conc. of chlorine in drinking water water is typically around 2 ppm. At that level it will not do any harm to a IX based water softner.

House we moved into has a strong chlorine smell to the water. There is a softener attached whole house but I'm nearly certain it is doing nothing. We have iron stains but I've not noticed any serious lime build up. I think I will test the water by passing the the water softener and see how hard it is. If it's not all that hard I think I will just get a whole house filter and call it a day.

~Matt

Why doesn't Matt like the taste of your poo? I think your poo tastes great.

Actually poo water is way better then Chlorine water. We have well water in the old house and it's 10X better. It's just so hard that it destroys everything.

~Matt