In the salt-free water conditioner vs. water softener shootout, the conditioner wins because it is a more versatile device. The downsides of water softeners are significant. Softeners use salt to treat the water which makes it too salty to drink, water plants or fill swimming pools. We get enough salt in our diet as it is. People who have health conditions, high blood pressure, low sodium dietary restrictions or are concerned about salt in general find drinking water from a softener unappealing. Another big disadvantage of water softeners - they flush out massive amounts of excess salt. This causes problems with sewage plants because they cannot process it or use it for reclaimed water, and therefore softeners are banned in many communities.
PURE's Catalytic Water Conditioning System will effectively address hard water problems without the use of salt.