Best Water Softener for Plano, TX — 17 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in Plano, TX

Every morning, 285,000 Plano residents wake up to water that's slowly destroying their homes from the inside out. The culprit isn't visible contamination or unsafe drinking water — it's the 11.2 grains per gallon (GPG) of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals flowing through every pipe, faucet, and appliance in the city.

To understand what 11.2 GPG means in practical terms, imagine your water as liquid sandpaper. Each gallon contains 11.2 grains of abrasive minerals — that's roughly equivalent to a teaspoon of powdered limestone dissolved in every four gallons of water. When that mineral-laden water heats up in your water heater, flows through your dishwasher, or evaporates on your shower glass, those dissolved rocks crystallize into scale deposits.

Plano's water originates primarily from Lake Lewisville and the Trinity River system, both of which flow through limestone and chalk formations across North Texas. This geological journey loads the water with calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate — the exact minerals that classify Plano's 11.2 GPG supply as "very hard" water. For comparison, water below 3.5 GPG is considered soft, while anything above 10.5 GPG enters the "very hard" category where significant home infrastructure damage becomes inevitable.

The financial stakes for Plano homeowners are measurable and mounting. At 11.2 GPG, the average household faces an estimated $2,800 to $4,200 annual "hardness tax" through accelerated appliance replacement, doubled soap consumption, increased energy bills, and premature plumbing repairs. More critically, hard water damage compounds over time — a problem that costs $300 this year becomes a $1,500 problem in three years, and a $5,000 emergency replacement in seven years.

2. What 11.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At Plano's 11.2 GPG hardness level, calcium carbonate begins coating your water heater's heating elements within the first month of operation. Each heating cycle deposits microscopic layers of mineral scale, and by month six, that scale layer measures thick enough to act as thermal insulation. The result: your water heater works 15-25% harder to achieve the same temperature, driving energy costs up while shortening the unit's operational life from 10-12 years down to 6-8 years in Plano homes.

The calcite crystallization process happens predictably at 11.2 GPG. When mineral-rich water heats above 140°F or evaporates on surfaces, dissolved calcium and magnesium ions bond together and precipitate out as solid deposits. Inside your pipes, this creates concentric rings of scale buildup that narrow the interior diameter over time. Plano homes with original galvanized steel plumbing — common in neighborhoods built before 1980 — see measurable flow restriction within 3-5 years at this hardness level.

Tankless water heaters face the most severe impact from Plano's 11.2 GPG water. The narrow heat exchanger passages that make tankless units efficient also make them vulnerable to scale blockages. Manufacturers like Rinnai and Navien explicitly void warranties in areas exceeding 7 GPG without a water softener installation. At 11.2 GPG, an unprotected tankless system in Plano typically requires expensive descaling service every 8-12 months, with complete heat exchanger replacement needed within 4-6 years.

Appliance lifespan reduction follows a predictable pattern at 11.2 GPG hardness. Dishwashers drop from 9-12 year lifespans to 6-8 years, washing machines from 10-13 years to 7-9 years, and coffee makers from 3-5 years to 18-24 months. The mineral buildup clogs spray arms, damages pump seals, and creates the white film on glassware that eventually becomes permanent etching.

Soap and detergent consumption doubles or triples in Plano homes due to the calcium-soap reaction. At 11.2 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions chemically bind with soap molecules to form insoluble precipitates — the gray scum ring around bathtubs — instead of producing cleaning lather. The average Plano household spends an extra $180-280 annually on laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and body wash just to achieve normal cleaning results.

For personal care, 11.2 GPG water strips natural oils from skin and coats hair shafts with mineral residue. Dermatologists report that eczema, dry skin, and scalp irritation worsen measurably above 7 GPG. Hair becomes brittle, dull, and difficult to manage as calcium deposits build up on individual strands — a problem that expensive clarifying shampoos can only temporarily address.

The cumulative annual cost of living with 11.2 GPG hardness in Plano breaks down approximately as: $400-600 in extra energy costs, $250-350 in additional soaps and detergents, $800-1200 in accelerated appliance depreciation, and $300-500 in additional maintenance and repairs — totaling $1,750-2,650 per year for the average household.

3. Plano's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the 11.2 GPG hardness baseline, Plano residents are also contending with chloramine, fluoride, and nitrates — each of which interacts with water hardness in its own way. Understanding how these contaminants behave in very hard water is essential for choosing the right treatment approach.

Chloramine in Plano's Water System

The City of Plano switched from chlorine to chloramine disinfection in 2006 to comply with federal disinfection byproduct regulations. Chloramine is a more stable disinfectant than chlorine, which means it maintains antimicrobial activity throughout the distribution system — but also makes it significantly harder to remove at the point of use.

At 11.2 GPG hardness, chloramine's interaction with calcium deposits creates unique challenges. Scale buildup in pipes and appliances provides surface area where chloramine can concentrate and react with organic matter, potentially forming nitrogen-containing disinfection byproducts. Plano residents often notice a "medicinal" or "band-aid" odor from hot water taps, which intensifies in summer months when chloramine dosing increases.

The EPA allows chloramine up to 4.0 mg/L in drinking water, and Plano typically maintains levels between 1.8-3.2 mg/L depending on seasonal demand. While these levels meet safety standards, chloramine poses specific risks: it's toxic to fish and aquarium life, can react with lead in older plumbing systems, and requires special consideration for dialysis patients.

Standard activated carbon filters cannot effectively remove chloramine — only catalytic carbon media works reliably. The SoftPro Elite HE water softener addresses hardness minerals but does not remove chloramine, so Plano residents dealing with taste and odor issues need a separate catalytic carbon whole-house filter installed upstream or downstream of the softener.

Fluoride Addition and Interaction

Plano adds fluoride to the municipal water supply at 0.7 mg/L — the CDC-recommended level for dental health benefits. This intentional addition is well below the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 4.0 mg/L and the secondary standard of 2.0 mg/L for aesthetic effects like dental fluorosis.

In very hard water like Plano's 11.2 GPG supply, fluoride can form calcium fluoride precipitates under certain conditions, though this typically occurs only at much higher concentrations than what's present in treated municipal water. The more relevant consideration for Plano homeowners is that water softeners do not remove fluoride — the ion exchange resin only targets calcium and magnesium ions.

Residents with concerns about fluoride intake need to understand that whole-house removal requires reverse osmosis treatment, which is typically installed only at drinking water taps due to cost and complexity. A point-of-use reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink removes fluoride, chloramine, and nitrates while the SoftPro Elite HE addresses hardness throughout the home.

Nitrates from Regional Sources

Nitrate contamination in North Texas water supplies originates primarily from agricultural runoff and urban fertilizer application throughout the Trinity River watershed. Plano's water treatment plants monitor nitrate levels continuously, with typical readings between 2.5-5.8 mg/L — well below the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L.

The interaction between nitrates and hard water is indirect but important. At 11.2 GPG, scale buildup in distribution pipes can harbor bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites under anaerobic conditions, though this is rare in well-maintained municipal systems like Plano's. The primary concern is that pregnant women and infants are advised to avoid nitrate levels approaching the 10 mg/L threshold.

Water softeners do not remove nitrates through ion exchange — this is a critical limitation that Plano residents must understand. Nitrate removal requires either reverse osmosis, ion exchange with nitrate-specific resin, or distillation. For most Plano households, current nitrate levels don't warrant special treatment, but families with infants or wells in rural areas should test regularly and consider point-of-use reverse osmosis if levels approach 7-8 mg/L.

4. Why Most Plano Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

After consulting with hundreds of Plano families over the past decade, four mistakes consistently lead to softener failure, wasted money, and continued hard water damage. Understanding these pitfalls before shopping can save thousands of dollars and months of frustration.

Mistake 1: Buying on Price Alone

A 24,000-grain softener that works adequately in a city with 4 GPG water will fail catastrophically in Plano's 11.2 GPG conditions. At very hard levels, resin exhaustion happens three times faster than in soft-water cities. That budget unit from the big box store will regenerate every 1-2 days instead of the expected weekly cycle, burning through salt while delivering inconsistent results.

The math is unforgiving: an undersized system wastes more salt, uses more water for regeneration, and still allows hardness breakthrough during peak usage periods. Plano homeowners who buy the cheapest option typically replace it within 18-24 months — making the "budget" choice the most expensive path.

Mistake 2: Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium minerals — period. They do not reliably remove chloramine, nitrates, or any other contaminants present in Plano's water supply. This misconception leads homeowners to expect their softener to solve taste, odor, and health concerns that require separate treatment technologies.

Plano residents dealing with chloramine's medicinal taste need catalytic carbon filtration in addition to water softening. Those concerned about nitrates need reverse osmosis at drinking water taps. A softener is essential infrastructure for protecting against 11.2 GPG hardness damage, but it's not a comprehensive water treatment solution.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

Proper sizing requires actual calculation, not guessing based on household size alone. The formula is straightforward but essential:

[Number of people] × 75 gallons per day × 11.2 GPG = daily grain demand

For a 4-person Plano household: 4 × 75 × 11.2 = 3,360 grains per day

Weekly demand: 3,360 × 7 = 23,520 grains, plus 20% buffer = 28,224 grains

This calculation reveals that Plano households need at least 32,000-grain capacity, with 48,000 grains being optimal for consistent performance. Smaller units simply cannot handle the continuous mineral load at 11.2 GPG.

Mistake 4: Overlooking Salt Efficiency

At 11.2 GPG hardness, regeneration frequency matters enormously for operational costs. An inefficient softener that uses 8-12 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle instead of 4-6 pounds will consume 300-500 pounds of additional salt annually in Plano conditions.

Over a 10-year lifespan, this efficiency gap translates to $800-1,200 in extra salt costs, plus the labor of frequent salt loading. High-efficiency demand-initiated regeneration systems like the SoftPro Elite HE use 40-50% less salt than timer-based units — a critical advantage at very hard water levels.

What to Do Next: Before shopping for any softener, calculate your household's actual grain demand using Plano's 11.2 GPG hardness level. Multiply your daily usage by 7-10 days to determine minimum capacity needs. Request salt efficiency ratings from manufacturers — units using more than 6 pounds per regeneration cycle will be expensive to operate in Plano's hard water conditions.

5. The SoftPro Elite HE: Built for Plano's Water

After evaluating Plano's water hardness of 11.2 GPG and the presence of chloramine, fluoride, and nitrates in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for Plano homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This recommendation isn't based on marketing claims — it's the logical result of matching system capabilities to Plano's specific water challenges.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange for Very Hard Water

Salt-free "conditioning" systems do not actually remove hardness minerals — they only attempt to change calcium and magnesium crystal structure to reduce scaling. At 11.2 GPG, this approach fails completely. Scale prevention requires physically removing minerals from the water, which only happens through true cation exchange resin that replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions.

The SoftPro Elite HE uses NSF-certified strong acid cation resin with proven capacity to handle very hard water conditions. In Plano's 11.2 GPG environment, this resin consistently delivers water testing below 1 GPG hardness — the threshold where scale formation stops entirely. Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) and other salt-free technologies cannot achieve this result at very hard levels.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration for Efficiency

Timer-based regeneration systems regenerate on a fixed schedule regardless of actual water usage — wasteful and ineffective in cities like Plano with variable household demands. The SoftPro's demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) monitors actual resin exhaustion and regenerates only when the mineral-exchange sites are depleted.

At 11.2 GPG, this precision matters enormously. Under-regeneration allows hardness breakthrough that damages appliances, while over-regeneration wastes salt and water without benefit. DIR ensures Plano households get consistent soft water while minimizing operational costs — typically regenerating every 4-6 days for a family of four.

High-Efficiency Salt Usage

The SoftPro Elite HE uses 4-6 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle compared to 8-15 pounds for conventional units. In Plano's 11.2 GPG conditions where regeneration happens twice weekly, this efficiency gap compounds quickly. A typical Plano household uses 180-220 pounds of salt annually with the SoftPro compared to 400-600 pounds with standard efficiency units.

Beyond cost savings, salt efficiency reduces environmental impact and simplifies maintenance. Plano homeowners refill salt storage every 6-8 weeks instead of every 2-3 weeks — significant convenience when managing very hard water treatment.

Grain Capacity Options for Plano Households

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000-grain capacity options — critical flexibility for properly sizing systems to handle 11.2 GPG hardness. Most Plano households with 3-4 residents perform best with 48,000-grain capacity, while larger families or homes with high water usage benefit from 64,000-grain units.

Proper capacity sizing ensures regeneration every 5-7 days rather than daily cycling that wears out resin prematurely. The ability to right-size capacity for Plano's specific hardness level prevents both undersized system failure and oversized system inefficiency.

10-Year Warranty Protection

At 11.2 GPG hardness, resin beds work harder than in soft-water cities — processing three times the mineral load per gallon treated. The SoftPro's 10-year warranty provides Plano homeowners with protection during the period of highest stress on ion exchange media.

This warranty coverage includes the resin tank, control valve, and internal components — not just basic parts like some competitors offer. For Plano residents investing in hardness protection, knowing the system is backed by decade-long coverage provides confidence for the long-term investment.

Pre-Filtration Compatibility

The SoftPro Elite HE integrates seamlessly with upstream sediment and carbon filtration — important for Plano homeowners who need chloramine removal in addition to hardness treatment. The system's inlet design accommodates standard whole-house filter housings without flow restriction or pressure loss.

For Plano residents bothered by chloramine taste and odor, installing a catalytic carbon filter before the SoftPro provides comprehensive water treatment: hardness removal plus disinfectant removal in a properly engineered sequence.

Recommended Setup for Plano: Install the SoftPro Elite HE (48,000-grain capacity) as the primary hardness treatment system. For chloramine taste/odor concerns, add an upstream catalytic carbon whole-house filter. For nitrate concerns with infants, install a point-of-use reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink. This combination addresses all of Plano's water quality challenges effectively.

6. How to Size Your Softener for Plano

Proper sizing for Plano's 11.2 GPG water requires precise calculation — guessing leads to system failure and wasted money. Follow this step-by-step process to determine the right grain capacity for your household.

Step 1: Count household members including children and regular guests

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (industry standard for total household water use)

Step 3: Multiply household gallons × 11.2 GPG = daily grain demand

Step 4: Multiply daily grains × 7 days = weekly grain demand

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage periods (guests, laundry days, etc.)

Step 6: Match result to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity options

Here's the calculation worked out for a typical 4-person Plano household:

Step 1: 4 people

Step 2: 4 × 75 = 300 gallons per day

Step 3: 300 gallons × 11.2 GPG = 3,360 grains per day

Step 4: 3,360 × 7 = 23,520 grains per week

Step 5: 23,520 + 20% = 28,224 grains weekly capacity needed

Step 6: Choose 32,000-grain minimum, 48,000-grain optimal

The 48,000-grain SoftPro Elite HE provides the best performance for most Plano households at 11.2 GPG hardness. This capacity allows regeneration every 5-6 days under normal usage, with buffer capacity for high-demand periods. Smaller households (1-2 people) can use 32,000-grain units, while larger families (5+ people) or homes with hot tubs, large gardens, or frequent guests should consider 64,000-grain capacity.

Regenerating every 5-7 days optimizes both resin life and salt efficiency. More frequent regeneration wastes salt and water; less frequent regeneration risks hardness breakthrough that defeats the system's purpose.

7. Installation in Plano: What to Know

The City of Plano does not require licensed plumber installation for water softeners, but proper placement and connections are critical for system performance and warranty coverage. Many Plano homeowners successfully install SoftPro systems themselves, while others prefer professional installation for peace of mind.

Correct placement follows a specific sequence: after the main water shutoff valve and pressure regulator (if present), but before the water heater and any branch lines to fixtures. This location ensures all household water receives softening treatment while keeping the system accessible for maintenance. The installation point should be in a garage, utility room, or basement with adequate clearance for salt loading and service access.

Regeneration requires a drain connection within 20 feet of the softener location. Most Plano homes can connect to a utility sink, floor drain, or exterior drain line. The discharge line cannot connect directly to septic systems (rare in Plano) but connects safely to municipal sewer systems. Ensure the drain line has an air gap to prevent backflow contamination.

Plano's municipal water pressure typically ranges from 45-80 PSI throughout the city, which works well with the SoftPro Elite HE's operating requirements of 20-80 PSI. Homes with pressure above 80 PSI should install a pressure reducing valve before the softener to prevent internal damage and ensure proper regeneration cycles.

For 11.2 GPG hardness conditions, use only evaporated salt pellets — the highest purity option available. Solar salt crystals contain more impurities that accumulate in the brine tank and can interfere with regeneration effectiveness at very hard water levels. Diamond Crystal Bright & Soft or Morton System Saver pellets are recommended brands readily available at Plano retailers.

Salt level monitoring becomes more critical at 11.2 GPG due to higher consumption rates. Check salt levels monthly and maintain at least 6 inches of salt above the water line in the brine tank. Allow new salt to dissolve completely before the next regeneration cycle — typically 24-48 hours in North Texas conditions.

8. Maintenance Schedule for Plano Homeowners

At 11.2 GPG hardness, maintenance requirements increase compared to soft-water cities — but following a systematic schedule prevents problems and maximizes system life. Plano's very hard water processes three times the mineral load of moderate hardness areas, making consistent upkeep essential.

Monthly Tasks:

Check salt level in the brine tank — consumption averages 15-20 pounds monthly for a 4-person Plano household at 11.2 GPG. Maintain at least 6 inches of salt above the water line to ensure proper brine concentration during regeneration. Inspect for salt bridges — a hardened crust that forms above the water line and prevents salt from dissolving properly.

Verify the bypass valve remains in the "service" position unless you're performing maintenance. Test a sample of treated water with a hardness test strip — properly functioning systems should deliver water below 1 GPG regardless of input hardness.

Every 3 Months:

Clean the brine tank interior by removing undissolved salt, vacuuming sediment from the bottom, and wiping down walls with a mild bleach solution. At 11.2 GPG processing levels, mineral dust and salt residue accumulate faster than in moderate hardness conditions.

Inspect all connections for leaks or mineral buildup. Check the drain line for proper flow — regeneration discharge should flow freely without backing up into the unit.

Annual Maintenance:

Complete brine tank cleaning including removal of all salt, thorough interior cleaning, and inspection of the brine well and salt grid assembly. Plano's hard water conditions can cause salt mushing — a thick sludge that interferes with regeneration — requiring annual removal.

Test resin bed performance by measuring hardness before and after treatment. If post-softener hardness exceeds 1 GPG despite proper salt levels, the resin may need cleaning or replacement. At 11.2 GPG processing levels, resin fouling occurs more quickly than manufacturer's general estimates.

Regeneration cycle audit: confirm timing, duration, and salt usage align with expected parameters for your household size and Plano's hardness level.

Every 5 Years:

Evaluate resin replacement needs — at 11.2 GPG continuous processing, ion exchange media degrades faster than in soft-water applications. Signs include increasing hardness breakthrough, higher salt consumption per cycle, or visible resin beads in treated water.

Professional service inspection recommended every 5 years for Plano installations due to the high mineral processing demands. A qualified technician can assess internal wear, control valve operation, and resin bed condition more thoroughly than homeowner maintenance allows.

Plano-Specific Tip: Order a home water test kit annually to establish baseline hardness readings and confirm your system maintains proper performance. Retest 30 days after any maintenance or service to verify effectiveness.

9. Frequently Asked Questions for Plano Residents

9. Is Plano's water at 11.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

No, hard water is not dangerous to drink — the calcium and magnesium minerals are actually beneficial nutrients. Plano's 11.2 GPG hardness exceeds levels that damage appliances and plumbing, but poses no direct health risks. The WHO actually recommends minimum mineral content in drinking water for nutritional benefits. The problems with very hard water are infrastructural and cosmetic: scale damage, soap waste, skin and hair issues, and appliance failure.

10. Will a water softener remove chloramine from Plano's water supply?

No, the SoftPro Elite HE removes calcium and magnesium through ion exchange but does not remove chloramine disinfectant. Chloramine removal requires catalytic carbon filtration — a different technology entirely. Plano residents concerned about chloramine taste, odor, or health effects need a separate catalytic carbon whole-house filter installed upstream or downstream of the softener. Standard activated carbon is not effective against chloramine.

11. How much salt will I use per month in Plano at 11.2 GPG?

A typical 4-person Plano household uses 15-20 pounds of salt monthly with the SoftPro Elite HE at 11.2 GPG hardness. This equals roughly one 40-pound bag every 2-3 months. Larger households or high water usage increases consumption proportionally. Less efficient softeners can use 30-50 pounds monthly at this hardness level — one reason the SoftPro's efficiency matters significantly in Plano conditions.

12. Does Plano require a permit to install a water softener?

The City of Plano does not require permits for water softener installation, but installations must follow Texas plumbing codes. Professional installation ensures code compliance and warranty protection. DIY installation is legal but must include proper cross-connection prevention (air gaps at drain connections) and compliance with backflow prevention requirements. Check with Plano's Development Services Department if your installation involves new plumbing runs or electrical connections.

13. Why does soft water feel slippery in the shower?

The "slippery" feeling is actually your skin's natural oils that calcium and magnesium minerals normally strip away. At 11.2 GPG, Plano's hard water leaves a calcium soap film that makes skin feel "squeaky clean" but actually indicates residue buildup. Soft water allows natural skin oils to remain, creating the smooth sensation that many people initially interpret as slippery. Most Plano residents adjust to this healthier skin condition within 1-2 weeks.

14. How quickly will I see results after installing a softener in Plano?

Immediate results include better soap lather, softer skin and hair, and cleaner dishes within 24-48 hours of installation. Scale prevention begins immediately, but existing mineral buildup in appliances and fixtures takes 3-6 months to dissolve gradually. Water heater efficiency improvements become noticeable in the first utility bill cycle. Complete restoration of appliance performance — especially for heavily scaled units — can take 6-12 months as soft water slowly dissolves existing deposits.

15. Can the SoftPro Elite HE handle Plano's water without a separate filter?

The SoftPro Elite HE effectively addresses Plano's 11.2 GPG hardness without additional filtration — that's its primary function. However, chloramine taste/odor requires catalytic carbon filtration, and nitrate concerns (primarily for infants) require reverse osmosis treatment. The softener is essential infrastructure for preventing scale damage, but comprehensive water quality improvement may require additional technologies depending on your specific concerns about Plano's other contaminants.

10. Final Verdict for Plano

Plano's 11.2 GPG water hardness demands commercial-grade treatment — this is not a minor water quality issue that homeowners can ignore or address with half-measures. At very hard levels, scale damage to appliances and plumbing is inevitable and expensive without proper ion exchange water softening.

The presence of chloramine, fluoride, and nitrates compounds the complexity, but the hardness minerals remain the primary threat to home infrastructure. A properly sized water softener is essential infrastructure for any Plano home — as fundamental as a functioning HVAC system or electrical panel.

The SoftPro Elite HE rises above alternatives because its high-efficiency regeneration, precise demand-initiated controls, and proven resin technology match the demands of continuous 11.2 GPG processing. The system's salt efficiency becomes particularly valuable in Plano conditions where regeneration happens twice weekly instead of the once-weekly cycles common in moderate hardness cities.

For Plano homeowners ready to stop the ongoing damage and waste, the next step is straightforward: check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities for your household size. The 48,000-grain capacity handles most Plano households optimally, while larger families should consider 64,000-grain units for consistent performance.

30-Day Action Plan: Week 1: Calculate your household grain demand and test current water hardness. Week 2: Research SoftPro Elite HE pricing and installation options. Week 3: If needed, plan catalytic carbon filtration for chloramine removal. Week 4: Schedule installation and establish baseline measurements for comparison.

Whether you're watching scale destroy a new tankless water heater or planning ahead to protect a home investment, remember that Plano's mineral-rich water flows through every appliance like liquid sandpaper — and the city's limestone-fed supply will never soften on its own.