Hard water improvement solution

We have been living at Cerro del Vigia for the last 12 years. The first few years that we lived here we had many problems with clogged water heaters, dishwasher, washing machine, broken flexible pipes connected to sink and toilet faucets and filters so clogged up with calcium particles that I had to remove the filters from the housings with a pair of grips.

Having been a Construction professional for many years I was acquainted with salt
treatment systems, but I was never impressed by their efficiency. These systems are now banned or restricted for use in California due to the amount of salt being discharged into sewer systems in the state. So, I would not advise going in that direction to compromise our already fragile sewer system in the area.

For the last 10 years I have been using the NuvoH20 water softener system, which is only available from the USA. I use two cartridges per year, which contains a citric acid media that softens the water by a process called chelation. I would say it has been about 95% effective on improving our house systems and eliminating clogging.
We have been very happy with it and it has also improved streaking on the glassware.

To support this system we have installed a 25 micron poly spun primary filter, to filter the water from the street supply. The water then passes though a water pressure regulator before it enters the media cartridge. It is now ready to pass through the house plumbing system. We have a Mexican made ASSAM ultraviolet water purifier that you can buy locally, that we use for the ice maker and washing the veggies. We also use a primary sediment poly spun filter and a charcoal filter. It is important to remember charcoal filters are dangerous if not used properly. Read The instructions well before use.

If you use this system make sure you install the cartridge housing system in a position that is below the temperature of 90 degrees ( this is applicable for all plastic filter housings) and out of the sun otherwise it could crack the plastic housing. These units are not cheap to buy but if you look after them they should last a long time as mine is now 10 years old and still in good shape.

Yes I agree with the comments from other writers that rain water collection is the way to go. I have experience with these systems in Australia and Canada. You will need a big commercial charcoal system to help remove some of the bird crap contamination on your roof.----and yet another expense!