Combination Systems on the Rise as Homeowners Rethink Water Quality
BOX ELDER, United States - February 8, 2026 / SoftPro Water Systems /
Recent consumer insights indicate that 63% of customers who initially opted for hardness-only systems returned within 18 months seeking chemical filtration-propelling the adoption of combination treatment systems across fluoridated municipalities.
According to monitoring data from the Centers for Disease Control released in January 2025, 72% of community water systems in the U.S. now fluoridate their water supply, providing the additive to around 198 million Americans on a daily basis. This widespread municipal practice, coupled with the detection of PFAS across 47 states and the ongoing use of chloramines in urban treatment facilities, has significantly changed the way homeowners approach residential water treatment. There is a noticeable shift from standalone hardness solutions to integrated point-of-entry systems that tackle multiple categories of contaminants at once.
This behavioral change is reflected in purchasing statistics: Independent water quality retailers have reported that 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 rapid growth to a phenomenon they describe as "partial solution regret"-the costly realization that while hard water scaling may be addressed, leaving chemical additives untreated results in inadequate protection.
Geographic Trends Align with Chemical Detection Areas
Mapping of PFAS contamination by the Environmental Working Group has identified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water that serves over 200 million individuals, with concentrations in areas such as the Southwest, Great Lakes region, and Mid-Atlantic corridor reaching levels that have led to EPA advisories in fourteen states. These same areas are witnessing a disproportionate increase in the adoption of dual-treatment residential systems.
States like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas-characterized by both high hardness levels and proactive municipal fluoridation initiatives-experienced a 67% year-over-year rise in combination water treatment installations during 2024. Florida's utilities, which heavily utilize chloramines, show similar adoption trends, particularly in suburban areas where homeowners are actively researching treatment options before finalizing new construction purchases.
"Buyers are beginning to recognize that municipal compliance does not equate to optimization," stated Jeremy Phillips, Sales Manager at SoftPro Water Systems. "A homeowner could have city water testing at 8 grains of hardness with 0.9 ppm fluoride and detectable chloramines-all within EPA allowable limits, yet all posing long-term concerns. They are reluctant to invest $2,400 in a softener only to find out six months later that they need an additional $2,800 filter. The math clearly supports a comprehensive solution from the outset."
Engineering Response: Sequential Treatment Architecture
SoftPro's solution to the demand for completeness integrates its Elite HE Water Softener with the Fluoride & Chlorine+ SUPER Filter in a sequential setup. The softener effectively removes calcium and magnesium through high-efficiency ion exchange, employing upflow regeneration that reduces salt consumption by 30% compared to traditional downflow models. With capacities ranging from 32,000 to 64,000 grains, it caters to households of various sizes, while WQA Gold Seal certification and IAPMO listing ensure compliance across different jurisdictions.
Following the softening stage, the filtration process utilizes dual-media technology that merges catalytic carbon with bone char. Laboratory tests, certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 protocols, demonstrate a 99% reduction in fluoride, 98% removal of chlorine, and 95% capture of PFAS throughout the filter's service life of 600,000 to one million gallons-equating to six to ten years of operation for a typical family of four, all without requiring electricity or producing wastewater.
Both systems share a single drain connection and function on one 110-volt outlet, allowing for seamless integration into standard one-inch residential plumbing. The installation process is relatively straightforward: experienced DIY homeowners can complete the setup in four to six hours, while professional installers generally take about 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 reasoning: "Our municipal report indicated everything was 'safe,' but I kept reading about the risks of fluoride accumulation and PFAS. I didn't want to be left wondering in five years if I should have done more. Treating everything at the point of entry made sense-shower water, laundry, ice makers-everything runs through both systems. I don't plan to revisit this decision."
Economic Analysis Supports Integrated Solutions
Market research firm BlueTech Intelligence released findings in December 2024, revealing that homeowners who purchase water treatment systems in a sequential manner-first addressing hardness and later adding chemical filtration-spend an average of $1,840 more than those who opt for combination systems from the beginning. This extra cost arises from duplicated installation labor, separate warranty management, and the operational complexities associated with dealing with two different vendors.
For a household of four, the monthly operating costs for the SoftPro combination system average between $8 and $12 for salt and periodic maintenance, providing comprehensive protection against both hardness and chemical contamination. 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 the water treatment field.
"Regret avoidance is a significant driver in this market segment, often more so than fear," commented Craig Phillips, CEO of SoftPro Water Systems. "These are homeowners who conduct thorough research and seek closure on their water issues. They are not purchasing excitement; they are investing in peace of mind regarding their choices. When you can effectively address hardness, fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, and PFAS in a single point-of-entry installation, supported by lifetime warranty coverage, you are providing a solution that goes beyond mere filtration."
Regulatory Environment Reinforces Dual-Treatment Rationale
The EPA's changing 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 that extend beyond traditional hardness issues. Surveys conducted by the Water Quality Association in late 2024 indicated that 58% of respondents now view the "removal of government-added chemicals" as equally important to hardness treatment when assessing whole-house systems.
This shift in perspective is particularly evident among households with children under twelve, where concerns about long-term exposure outweigh short-term convenience factors. The demographic is predominantly suburban homeowners aged 35-54 with household incomes ranging from $75,000 to $150,000-a segment analysts refer to as "future-proof purchasers," known for their inclination to invest in comprehensive solutions rather than piecemeal fixes.
NSF International's certification protocols for combined treatment systems now encompass testing standards that validate performance across multiple contaminant classes simultaneously, providing third-party verification that integrated designs maintain efficiency without interference between treatment stages. SoftPro's combination configuration meets these standards, ensuring that catalytic carbon effectively reduces chloramines even when processing softened water, and that bone char fluoride capture remains consistent across varying pH levels created by ion exchange processes.
This combination approach also alleviates concerns regarding installation timing: homeowners can avoid the disruptions associated with retrofitting filtration systems by implementing complete treatment infrastructure during the initial setup, thus eliminating the need for drywall repairs, re-plumbing, and additional drain connections that typically accompany add-on installations.
Industry Trends Indicate Movement Toward Point-of-Entry Standardization
Water treatment consultants predict that point-of-entry combination systems will dominate the residential installation market by 2027, driven by ongoing PFAS discoveries, persistent fluoridation practices, and homeowner recognition that municipal compliance standards prioritize safety thresholds rather than optimal performance. Advances in media longevity, regeneration efficiency, and smart monitoring technologies continue to enhance the operational simplicity of dual-treatment configurations.
Heather Phillips, Operations Manager at SoftPro Water Systems, highlighted the company's strategic positioning: "Our customer base is not looking for a science experiment in their basement. They desire professional-grade treatment that operates reliably without 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-such as staining, scale, and soap waste-and invisible concerns regarding chemical exposure. It is designed for individuals who want to make one informed decision and then concentrate on their families, not their filtration system."
The 60-day satisfaction guarantee and direct access to knowledgeable support teams further alleviate purchase anxiety, especially for homeowners making their first investment in whole-house treatment. SoftPro's proprietary Water Score system, which combines EPA and CDC water quality databases with local utility information, offers tailored treatment recommendations based on specific address-level contamination profiles rather than generic regional averages.
As municipal water treatment facilities navigate 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 critical distinction for homeowners unwilling to accept uncertainty regarding their family's daily exposure.
About SoftPro Water Systems
For over 30 years, SoftPro Water Systems has established itself as a trusted leader in water treatment in America, 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 innovate in home water treatment, delivering proven energy efficiency 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
