Casey Miller
Casey Miller researches home water treatment for SoftWaterWise. Every guide starts with manufacturers' own manuals and spec sheets, independent certifications such as NSF/ANSI and WQA, and guidance from public health agencies such as the EPA and state health departments. Casey doesn't test products hands-on. Instead, each article shows where every number comes from, labels anything that appears only in a seller's listing, and says plainly when a claim couldn't be confirmed.
How Casey works
- Manufacturer documents first. Owner’s manuals, installation guides, spec sheets and warranty terms, read in full rather than summarized from a listing.
- Certifications checked. NSF/ANSI 44 for softeners, NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 58 for filters and reverse osmosis, and WQA Gold Seal, looked up with the certifier where possible.
- Public health guidance. The EPA, state health departments and university extension services for anything about health, sodium, lead, iron or well water.
- Labels and limits. A spec found only in a seller’s listing is labeled as such, and when sources disagree, the guide says so.
- No hands-on testing. Casey doesn’t test products in a lab or at home, and the guides never claim otherwise.
Read the full method on How we research. Spotted an error? Email info@softwaterwise.com with the page and the source, and Casey will check it.
Guides by Casey Miller
Best picks
- Best Water Softeners of 2026 (Picked by Water Type and Home Size)
- Best Water Softeners for Well Water (Picked by Your Water Test)
- Best Water Softeners for Iron (and When You Need an Iron Filter)
- Best Salt-Free Water Softeners (and What They Can’t Do)
- Best High-Efficiency Water Softeners (Lower Salt and Water Use)
- Best Whole House Water Filter and Softener Combos
- Best Small Water Softeners for Apartments, Condos and Tight Spaces
- Best Non-Electric and Dual-Tank Water Softeners
- Best Portable Water Softeners for RVs and Campers
- Best Water Softener Cleaners (and How to Clean Your Softener)
Reviews and brands
- Best Water Softener Brands (Ranked by Warranty, Valve and Support)
- Clack WS1 Water Softener Review (vs Fleck 5600SXT)
- Morton Water Softener Review (Models Compared)
Buying guides
- What Size Water Softener Do I Need? (Free Calculator + Sizing Chart)
- How Much Does a Water Softener Cost? 2026 Prices, Installation and Upkeep
- Salt-Based vs Salt-Free Water Softeners: Which Do You Need?
- Water Softener vs Water Filter: What Each One Removes (Chlorine, Iron, Lead)
- Water Softener vs Reverse Osmosis (and the Best Softener + RO Combos)
- Do You Need a Water Softener for a Tankless Water Heater?
- Water Softener Benefits: Is a Softener Worth It?
- Is Softened Water Safe to Drink? (Sodium Math + Who Should Avoid It)
Setup, care and fixes
- How Does a Water Softener Work? (Simple Diagram + Types Explained)
- How to Install a Water Softener Yourself (Parts List + Step-by-Step)
- How to Set Your Water Softener’s Hardness (Chart + How to Test Your Water)
- Water Softener Regeneration: How Often, How Long and Best Settings
- Water in the Brine Tank: How Much Is Normal (and How to Fix Too Much)
- Water Softener Resin Replacement: When, How and Which Resin to Buy
- How Long Do Water Softeners Last? (Lifespan by Part + When to Replace)
- Why Does My Water Taste Salty After a Water Softener?
- Resin Beads in Your Water? Causes and Fixes