1. Easy to maintain, relatively inexpensive, but . . . . from Stevenson Ranch (Comments date: May 5, 2009)
   Recommend, with reservations. We had a salt water softener for over 10 years. We didn't like the slimy feeling of the water or the salty taste, or the expense and trouble of maintaining it; but we loved the fact that we never had any calcium deposits on our showers, sinks, faucets, glassware, etc. We purchased the Catalytic 1000 in January 2009. It is relatively inexpensive and is very easy to maintain. We no longer have slimy or salty-tasting water. Unfortunately, we do have calcium deposits on our glassware, shower doors, stainless steel sink, dishwasher, etc. We have spoken to our sales representative and tried all of the recommendations, but we still get the deposits. They are not nearly as bad as you would get without any system and they are easier to remove--but they are definitely there and they do build up--and it's a disappointment because we were not expecting them. We now use periodic vinegar rinses in our dishwasher. (Product: Aquantum, Sanitized Water of Canada Catalytic 1000)

2. Product does not deliver what it promises - I am Sylvestre and I had been using a water softener for over eight years before I switched to this product in late December. I am still waiting for the promise of softness. (Posted 04/16/2009)
   Don't recommend. The product does not "soften" the water to any great extent and leaves spots over everything, especially glass. The manufacturer recommends flushing the water heater several times depending on the age of the water heater but that has not helped. If the water was soft there would not be all the spotting that occurs. (Product: Aquantum, Sanitized Water of Canada Catalytic 1000)
   

3. The Solution to Hard Water in Santa Clarita by Chris in Newhall (Posted 02/10/2009)
   Highly Recommend. I have had the Catalytic 1000 now for 2 years and it has made a huge difference in the hard water deposits in the bathroom and the kitchen. It is now very easy to keep the chrome and glass clean. The maintenance of the unit is really easy, 5 minutes a week. The price is right, no more salt and it's very small, so I get a piece of my garage back. This is the best system for our hard water problem in the Santa Clarita Valley. (Product: Aquantum, Sanitized Water of Canada Catalytic 1000)
   
   

4. "Finally Found a Great Softener" by George of Valencia
   Highly Recommend. I was skeptical at first. But I found their number and talked to the owner for two hours. He was a nice guy, and he answered a lot of questions — that’s what sold me. After we had Catalytic 1000 for a month and a half, the water tasted really great. We’re using less soap to do the laundry and in the dishwasher. And it takes less than five minutes to clean. (Product: Aquantum, Sanitized Water of Canada Catalytic 1000)
   
   

5. Satisfied Customer by Joan of Valenica
   Highly Recommend. The first thing I noticed once I installed the Aquantum water conditioner was the dishwasher - my glasses were sparkling clean! I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. We haven’t lost any of the minerals in the water because of this product; we’re getting everything you should. And the maintenance is simple – all it takes is cleaning a copper rod once a week. (Product: Aquantum water conditioner)
   
   

6. “Finally found a convenient and ecologically safe softener” by Sharon of Newhall
   Highly Recommend. The best thing about Aquantum is that there is no salty, slippery feel when you get out of the shower. You don’t have that slimy feeling. This product is much healthier, and the ecological part appeals to me too. The best part, though, is it broke down all despots on my shower stalls. After 2-3 months I could just wipe off the shower, and I haven’t had buildup since. There’s no maintenance or moving parts, I just clean it every week. It doesn’t take electricity and I don’t have to buy salt. I don’t have to add anything. (Product: Aquantum water conditioner)
   
   

7. Very Satisfied Customer by George, longtime exchange tank user
   Highly Recommend. I am very happy with my Aquantum unit. I had my water softened using exchange tanks for years, but started using this unit instead about six months ago. My water is now better quality than with the exchange tanks. It tastes great and I can drink from any faucet. I use less soap in the laundry and dishwasher. I do have to clean the rod in the unit, but it only takes one to one-and-a-half minutes every two weeks. I highly recommend this unit! (Product: Aquantum water conditioner)
   
   

8. Good Unit by Ted from Santa Clarita
   Highly Recommend. This system works as well at treating my water as any of the several salt treatment units that I've had. One nice thing about it is that it is very small and can be hung on the wall, so it is terrific in small installations. The one issue with the system is that it has to be cleaned about once a week. When I initially got the system I had to turn off the water to my house to do the cleaning, but Aquantum has made significant improvements to the system recently. It has a bypass valve now so that I don't have to turn off the water to the house to clean it. The whole cleaning process now only takes about three minutes. I have had very good luck with the Aquantum unit. It's not perfect but overall I am very pleased with it. (Product: Aquantum water conditioner)
   
   

9. Review of New Softener by Joy from Canyon Country
   Highly Recommend. We changed out our old salt water softener in 2004 to the Catalytic 1000 Stabilizer water softener. We are very pleased with the results. We no longer have to lug in heavy bags of salt nor pay a monthly fee to a service provider. We just clean the catalytic bar twice a month. My husband's skin is especially sensitive. With this new product, his hair no longer itches and he has not complained once about his skin hurting. Our skin doesn't feel slimy from soap anymore either. We would recommend this unit to anyone. (Product: Aquantum water conditioner)
   
   

Return to the Automatic Water Softener Alternatives page.

Please note that this list does not constitute an endorsement of any particular product, nor does it provide any assurances regarding the effectiveness of any potable water treatment system.

If you have any questions about this list or are a vendor who would like to be added to this list, please contact Preeti Ghuman of the Sanitation Districts' Industrial Waste Section by phone at (562) 908-4288, extension 2904 or by e-mail at cutsalt@lacsd.org