Here in San Antonio, hard water is a fact of life—and many homeowners are exploring ways to improve the water quality in their homes. Two of the most common solutions are water softeners and reverse osmosis (RO) systems. But what exactly is the difference? And is one better than the other?
At Simple Water Softeners, we get this question all the time. The truth is: these systems serve different purposes—and they work even better together.
A water softener targets the hard minerals—mainly calcium and magnesium—that are so common in San Antonio’s water supply. These minerals are what cause:
A softener protects your home’s plumbing and appliances and improves your everyday water experience. However, it doesn’t filter out contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, or heavy metals.
A reverse osmosis (RO) system is installed under your kitchen sink and focuses on purifying your drinking water. It filters out:
RO gives you clean, great-tasting water ideal for drinking, cooking, baby formula, and even coffee. But—it doesn’t soften water or protect appliances.
In many San Antonio homes, the best solution is to install both a water softener and a reverse osmosis system. Here’s why:
| System | What It Fixes | Where It Goes |
| Water Softener | Hard water minerals (scale, residue, appliance wear) | Whole-house (main water line) |
| Reverse Osmosis | Drinking water contaminants (chlorine, fluoride, metals) | Point-of-use (kitchen sink) |
Together, they provide:
Plus, installing a water softener extends the life of your RO filters, making your system more efficient and cost-effective over time.
If you’re unsure whether to start with a water softener or an RO system, the answer usually depends on your household’s priorities. But in San Antonio, where the water is notoriously hard, a water softener is typically the first and most essential step.
At Simple Water Softeners, we offer:
Let’s simplify your water—and your life. Call us at (210) 960-2555
Better water starts with Simple. Trusted by families across San Antonio.
Having a reverse osmosis (RO) system at home ensures that you receive clean and high-quality water. But if you notice a decline in water output, it might be due to a few common issues. Here are some steps to help you optimize the performance of your RO system:
Clean, pure water is essential for our health and well-being. Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are a popular and effective solution for removing contaminants and impurities from your water supply. In this blog post, we will delve into the science behind RO filters and how they work to provide you with clean, safe drinking water, inspired by the expertise of Simple Water Softeners.
If you have a reverse osmosis system in your home you need to change filters. Read up on the brand you have and be sure to follow the instructions and change it, this will keep the water flowing. Also you will need to change the membrane since on so many units you only do every four- or five-years people seem to forget it. The membrane is what makes the water into bottle quality water, it will remove 97.6% of everything. The other filters remove the chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and organics but for it to be bottle quality the membrane must be functioning. Read More
Reverse Osmosis or RO is a commonly used water filtration system. It is a simple, straightforward, and effective way to remove most harmful contaminants, making the water safer to drink. Many experts recommend it for residential water filtration. At Simple Water Softeners, we’re happy to explain how this system works. Here’s a look at what you need to know about Reverse Osmosis. Read More
What is the difference in filtered water and reverse osmosis water?
Reverse Osmosis is bottle quality water that has gone through a four, five or six stage process. A sediment filter, one or two carbon filters, a polishing filter right before you dispense and most important a semipermeable membrane. They remove salts, minerals, and dissolved inorganic compounds. Total dissolved solids have been reduced 96.5%. Arsenic V 97.8%, Cysts 99.99%, Fluoride 96.3%, and Lead 98.0%. Read More
Water one of the essential elements to good health. Water is essential for every cell that makes up your body and getting your daily requirement of water helps your organs function, supports digestion, makes your skin look younger more youthful and eliminates toxins from the body.
What Is This Water?
Filtered or Reverse Osmosis
What is the difference in filtered water and reverse osmosis water.
Reverse Osmosis is bottle quality water. A point of use system, the water has gone through a four, five or six stage process. A sediment filter, one or two carbon filters, a polishing filter right before you dispense and most important a semipermeable membrane. They remove salts, minerals, and dissolved inorganic compounds.
