Shift Towards Dual-Treatment Systems in Water Filtration

BOX ELDER, United States - February 8, 2026 / SoftPro Water Systems /

Recent consumer analysis indicates that 63% of customers who initially opted for hardness-only systems returned within 18 months seeking chemical filtration-fueling the rise of combined treatment solutions in fluoridated areas.

According to monitoring data from the Centers for Disease Control released in January 2025, 72% of community water systems across the U.S. now fluoridate their water supply, providing this additive to nearly 198 million Americans on a daily basis. This prevalent municipal practice, coupled with the detection of PFAS across 47 states and the continued use of chloramine in urban treatment facilities, has significantly influenced homeowners' approaches to residential water treatment-transitioning from standalone hardness solutions to comprehensive point-of-entry systems that tackle multiple contaminant categories at once.

This shift in consumer behavior is reflected in sales data: Independent retailers of water quality products report that the installations of combination softener-filter systems now account for 41% of whole-house treatment sales in 2024, a substantial increase from just 19% in 2021. Industry experts attribute this surge to a phenomenon they refer to as "partial solution regret"-the costly realization that while addressing hard water scaling, neglecting chemical additives leads to inadequate protection.

Geographic Trends Reflect Chemical Detection Areas

Mapping of PFAS contamination by the Environmental Working Group has identified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water affecting over 200 million individuals, with concentrations in regions such as the Southwest, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic reaching levels that prompted EPA advisories in fourteen states. These same areas are witnessing a notable increase in the adoption of dual-treatment residential systems.

In states like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas-where both hardness levels are high and municipal fluoridation efforts are robust-there has been a reported 67% year-over-year increase in combination water treatment installations during 2024. Florida's utilities, known for their heavy use of chloramine, show similar trends, particularly in suburban areas where homeowners actively research treatment options prior to purchasing new homes.

"We're observing buyers who recognize that municipal compliance does not equate to optimal water quality," stated Jeremy Phillips, Sales Manager at SoftPro Water Systems. "A homeowner may find city water testing indicating 8 grains of hardness with 0.9 ppm fluoride and detectable chloramines-all within EPA acceptable limits, yet all posing long-term risks. They prefer not to invest $2,400 in a softener only to discover six months later that they require another $2,800 for a filter. The logic supports a comprehensive solution from the outset."

Engineering Response: Series Treatment Architecture

SoftPro's solution to the demand for comprehensive treatment combines its Elite HE Water Softener with the Fluoride & Chlorine+ SUPER Filter in a sequential arrangement. The softener efficiently removes calcium and magnesium through high-efficiency ion exchange, employing upflow regeneration that reduces salt usage by 30% compared to traditional downflow systems. With capacities ranging from 32,000 to 64,000 grains, it caters to households of various sizes, and is backed by WQA Gold Seal certification and IAPMO listing for code compliance across different jurisdictions.

The filtration stage follows directly, utilizing dual-media technology that merges catalytic carbon with bone char. Laboratory tests, certified under NSF/ANSI Standard 42 protocols, demonstrate 99% fluoride reduction, 98% chlorine removal, and 95% PFAS capture throughout the filter's lifespan of 600,000 to one million gallons-equating to six to ten years of operation for an average four-person household without requiring electricity or producing wastewater.

Both systems are connected through a single drain and operate using one 110-volt outlet, integrating seamlessly into standard one-inch residential plumbing. The installation process is straightforward: experienced DIY homeowners can complete the setup in four to six hours, while professional installers typically take around 90 minutes, including pressure testing and startup calibration.

Dan T., a homeowner from South Carolina who installed the combination system in August 2024, shared his thought process: "Our municipal report indicated everything was 'safe,' but I kept reading about fluoride buildup and PFAS. I didn't want to be left wondering in five years if I should have taken more action. Treating everything at the point of entry made sense-shower water, laundry, ice makers-all of it runs through both systems. I'm not going to revisit this choice."

Economic Analysis Favors Integrated Deployment

Research from market analysis firm BlueTech Intelligence, published in December 2024, reveals that homeowners who opt for sequential water treatment systems-first addressing hardness and later incorporating chemical filtration-spend an average of $1,840 more than those who install combination systems from the start. This additional cost arises from duplicate installation labor, separate warranty management, and the complexities of managing two vendor relationships.

The monthly operating expenses for the SoftPro combination system average between $8 and $12 for salt and routine maintenance in a four-person household, while providing whole-house protection against both hardness and chemical contaminants. The systems come with lifetime limited warranties on tanks and valves, and customer support is provided by professionals with an average of over twelve years of experience in water treatment.

"Avoiding regret is a stronger motivator in this market segment than fear," observed Craig Phillips, CEO of SoftPro Water Systems. "These are homeowners who conduct thorough research and seek closure on their water quality concerns. They aren't looking for excitement; they want the peace of mind that comes from knowing they made the right choice. When you can address hardness, fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, and PFAS all in one point-of-entry installation, backed by lifetime warranty support, you're providing assurance, not just filtration."

Regulatory Landscape Reinforces Dual-Treatment Logic

The EPA's shifting position on PFAS regulation-including proposed maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS at four parts per trillion-along with ongoing scientific discussions regarding optimal fluoride exposure levels, has heightened homeowner awareness of chemical additives beyond traditional hardness issues. Surveys conducted by the Water Quality Association in late 2024 revealed that 58% of participants now consider "removal of government-added chemicals" just as crucial as hardness treatment when assessing whole-house systems.

This change in perception is particularly evident among households with children under twelve, where long-term exposure concerns take precedence over short-term convenience. This demographic is primarily composed of suburban homeowners aged 35-54 with household incomes ranging from $75,000 to $150,000-a segment that industry analysts describe as "future-proof purchasers" due to their inclination to invest in comprehensive solutions rather than piecemeal fixes.

NSF International's certification standards for combined treatment systems now include testing protocols that validate performance across multiple contaminant classes simultaneously, providing third-party assurance that integrated designs maintain efficiency without interference between treatment stages. SoftPro's combination setup meets these standards, with catalytic carbon retaining its effectiveness in reducing chloramine even when treating softened water, and bone char's fluoride capture remaining consistent across varying pH levels created by ion exchange processes.

The combined approach also addresses concerns regarding installation timing: homeowners can avoid the disruptions associated with retrofit filtration projects by implementing complete treatment infrastructure during the initial installation, thus sidestepping the drywall repairs, re-plumbing, and additional drain connections that often accompany add-on installations.

Industry Trajectory Points Toward Point-of-Entry Standardization

Water treatment consultants anticipate that point-of-entry combination systems will become the predominant category for residential installations by 2027, driven by ongoing PFAS discoveries, persistent fluoridation practices, and homeowners' recognition that municipal compliance standards prioritize minimum safety levels rather than optimal quality. Advances in media longevity, regeneration efficiency, and smart monitoring continue to enhance the operational simplicity of dual-treatment configurations.

Heather Phillips, Operations Manager at SoftPro Water Systems, highlighted the company's strategic focus: "Our customers are not looking for a complex project in their basements. They desire professional-grade treatment that functions reliably without requiring constant oversight. The Elite softener's upflow design and the SUPER filter's long-lasting media life provide that simplicity while addressing both visible issues-like staining, scaling, and soap waste-and invisible concerns regarding chemical exposure. It's engineered for those who want to make one well-informed decision and then concentrate on their families, not their filtration systems."

The 60-day satisfaction guarantee and direct access to knowledgeable support teams further alleviate purchase anxiety, especially for homeowners making their first whole-house treatment investment. SoftPro's proprietary Water Score system integrates EPA and CDC water quality databases with local utility information, offering tailored treatment recommendations based on specific address-level contamination profiles instead of generic regional averages.

As municipal water treatment facilities grapple with regulatory compliance, aging infrastructure, and emerging contaminant challenges, residential point-of-entry systems increasingly serve as the optimization layer that transforms "safe enough" water into "exactly right" water-a distinction that is crucial for homeowners unwilling to accept uncertainty regarding their family's daily exposure.

About SoftPro Water Systems

SoftPro Water Systems has been a trusted leader in water treatment in America for over 30 years, serving more than 35,000 customers with innovative solutions including the HE Elite Water Softener line and alkalizing reverse osmosis systems. With lifetime warranties, expert support, and proprietary Water Score technology that utilizes EPA and CDC databases, SoftPro continues to revolutionize home water treatment, delivering proven energy savings and superior contaminant removal.

Contact: www.softprowatersystems.com

Contact Information:

SoftPro Water Systems

541 Americas way 9104
BOX ELDER, South Dakota 57719
United States

Craig Phillips
18556838488
https://softprowatersystems.com

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