Why You Should Get a Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis (RO) System Together 

TL;DR: The Power of Pairing

If you want to help protect your home and enjoy pure drinking water, a Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis (RO) System are the ultimate team:

• Water Softener: Helps protect your pipes, appliances, and skin by removing hardening minerals from all the water in your home.

• RO System: Purifies your drinking and cooking water at the tap, removing impurities that a softener doesn’t catch.

• The Bonus: Using softened water may actually extend the life of your RO filters, potentially saving you money and maintenance over time.

Wondering if you should get a water softener and a reverse osmosis filter system together?

Short answer: If you want softened water throughout your home and purified drinking water at the tap, a water softener and a reverse osmosis (RO) system work together as a complete solution. One focuses on home infrastructure; the other focuses on the water you drink. 

Many homeowners look at water softeners and RO systems separately. But at Reliance®, we often recommend installing them together because they solve different problems. 

Here is how a water softener and RO system work, and why pairing them is a strategic water upgrade for your home. 

Do I Need Both a Water Softener and an RO System? 

If your home has hard water and you want to reduce impurities in your drinking water, the answer is usually yes. 

• A water softener is designed to soften the water used for your showers, laundry, and plumbing. 

• An RO system is designed to provide purified water at the specific tap where it is installed—ideal for drinking, cooking, and coffee. 

When you install both, you address mineral scale in your pipes while also having purified water for consumption. 

What Does a Water Softener Do for Your Home? 

Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals can leave scale buildup in pipes, fixtures, and appliances. A water softener reduces the level of those minerals in your water before they can cause damage to your home. 

Results of Using a Water Softener: *  

• Reduced scale on faucets and showerheads. 

• Fewer spots on dishes and glassware. 

• Helps reduce soap residue that can leave skin and hair feeling dry. 

• Easier-rinsing and lathering soap. 

• Potentially longer life for equipment like dishwashers. 

What Does an RO System Do for Drinking Water? 

An RO system focuses on the tap you install it on– usually the kitchen tap. It uses multi-stage filtration to reduce a wide range of impurities. 

RO systems help reduce: * Chlorine taste and odour. 

• Sediment and dissolved solids. 

• Heavy metals and other impurities. 

The result is purified water for drinking, cooking, and ice, helping to eliminate the desire for bottled water. 

Why Do Water Softeners and RO Systems Work Well Together? 

While each system is useful on its own, pairing them delivers higher performance and long-term value. 

Does a Water Softener Help Protect an RO System? 

Yes. Hard water can leave mineral scale on RO membranes. When softened water feeds your RO system, you may experience: 

• Reduced scale on membranes. 

• Extended filter life. 

Does Installing Both Save Money Long Term? 

It can. With softened water feeding your RO system, filters last longer. Furthermore, when you bundle more than one water purification system with Reliance, you save on the monthly rental fee. 

How Do I Know If My Home Needs Both? 

Many homeowners benefit from installing both systems if they notice: 

• White scale on taps or showerheads. 

• Soap residue on dishes or laundry. 

• Skin feeling dry after showering. 

• Chlorine smell or metallic taste in the water. 

Why Choose Reliance for Water Solutions? 

With over 60 years of expertise, you can rely on our track record to deliver dependable water purification solutions. We go beyond installation, providing ongoing support to help keep your system running smoothly. Reliance water purification systems are hand-picked, NSF-certified, and competitively priced. 

Call on Reliance™ to discuss your home’s specific water needs. 

FAQ: Water Softeners and RO Systems 

Is RO water the same as soft water? No. A water softener removes minerals from all household water. An RO system purifies drinking water at the tap. 

Can I install RO without a water softener? Yes, but hard water can shorten the life of RO filters. A softener helps your RO system work more efficiently if you have hard water in your home.