Best Water Softener for San Antonio, TX — 15 Things to Know BEFORE You Buy!

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

1. The Local Water Problem in San Antonio, TX

A San Antonio homeowner recently told me her brand-new tankless water heater failed after just 14 months — the manufacturer voided the warranty citing "mineral damage." This isn't an isolated incident in the Alamo City. San Antonio's water hardness measures a staggering 15.2 grains per gallon (GPG), placing it firmly in the "extremely hard" category that affects fewer than 15% of American cities.

To understand what 15.2 GPG means for your home, think of your plumbing system like the cardiovascular system of a patient with severe arterial calcification. Every gallon flowing through your pipes carries 15.2 grains worth of dissolved calcium and magnesium — minerals that crystallize and accumulate on every surface they touch. In medical terms, this would be considered a critical condition requiring immediate intervention.

San Antonio draws its water primarily from the Edwards Aquifer, a vast underground limestone formation that naturally dissolves enormous quantities of calcium carbonate as groundwater percolates through the rock. While this geological process created some of the purest drinking water in Texas from a bacterial standpoint, it also loaded every drop with bone-hard minerals. The aquifer's limestone composition is why San Antonio consistently ranks among the hardest water cities in the nation.

At 15.2 GPG, San Antonio homeowners face what water treatment professionals call "infrastructure erosion" — the gradual but relentless destruction of everything water touches in your home. Your water heater efficiency drops by 8-12% annually. Pipe diameter shrinks measurably within 3-4 years in older galvanized systems. Appliance manufacturers like Rinnai and Navien require water softeners to honor warranties in cities exceeding 12 GPG — San Antonio surpasses that threshold by 25%.

2. What 15.2 GPG Does to Your Home

At San Antonio's extreme 15.2 GPG hardness level, calcium carbonate doesn't just coat your water heater elements — it forms concrete-like concentric rings inside the tank. Each heating cycle precipitates more minerals out of solution, building layers like tree rings. A standard 40-gallon electric water heater loses 35-45% of its efficiency within the first 18 months of San Antonio service, forcing the heating elements to work nearly twice as hard to achieve the same temperature.

The financial mathematics are brutal for San Antonio households. A water heater that should last 10-12 years typically fails after 6-7 years in extremely hard water. Replacement costs for a quality 50-gallon unit run $1,200-2,000 installed. More devastating is the efficiency loss — at 15.2 GPG, your electric bill includes an invisible "hardness tax" of $35-55 monthly just from the water heater working against mineral buildup.

San Antonio's older neighborhoods with galvanized steel plumbing face accelerated pipe degradation. At 15.2 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions bond aggressively to iron pipe walls, creating a rough surface that catches more minerals with each passing gallon. Homes built before 1980 commonly show 30-40% diameter reduction in hot water lines within 8-10 years. Cold water pipes fare better but still accumulate significant restriction over time.

The appliance carnage extends beyond water heaters. Dishwashers in San Antonio typically require replacement after 5-6 years instead of the expected 9-10 years. The mineral-laden water crystallizes on heating elements, clogs spray arms, and etches the interior glass beyond repair. Washing machines suffer similar fates — the mineral buildup destroys pumps, clogs valves, and leaves fabrics perpetually stiff and gray.

San Antonio households burn through 3-4 times more soap and detergent than families in soft-water cities. At 15.2 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions immediately react with soap molecules, forming insoluble precipitates instead of cleaning lather. A typical family of four spends an additional $180-250 annually just on extra cleaning products to compensate for the mineral interference.

The personal care impacts are equally measurable. Extremely hard water at 15.2 GPG strips natural oils from skin and leaves mineral residue that clogs pores. Dermatologists in San Antonio report higher rates of eczema flare-ups and dry skin complaints, particularly during winter months when indoor heating compounds the drying effect. Hair becomes brittle and difficult to manage as calcium ions coat each strand, preventing moisture absorption.

The total annual "hard water tax" for a typical San Antonio household approaches $800-1,200 when factoring energy waste, excess soap consumption, premature appliance replacement, and increased maintenance costs. Over a 15-year homeownership period, extremely hard water costs San Antonio families $12,000-18,000 in preventable expenses.

3. San Antonio's Specific Contaminant Profile

Beyond the devastating 15.2 GPG hardness baseline, San Antonio residents also contend with iron, chloramine, and fluoride — each of which interacts with water hardness in its own problematic way. Understanding this layered water chemistry is crucial for selecting treatment that addresses the complete picture, not just the hardness component.

Iron in San Antonio's Water Supply

San Antonio's water contains dissolved ferrous iron that becomes visible only after oxidation transforms it into rust-colored ferric iron. This iron enters the Edwards Aquifer system through natural geological processes as groundwater contacts iron-bearing minerals in the limestone formation. The iron remains invisible in your cold water tap but oxidizes rapidly when heated or exposed to air.

At San Antonio's 15.2 GPG hardness level, iron creates compounded staining problems. Iron molecules bond with calcium deposits, creating orange-brown scale that's nearly impossible to remove from fixtures, toilets, and appliance interiors. The combination of extreme hardness plus iron means your dishwasher, washing machine, and shower surfaces develop permanent discoloration that bleach and scrubbing cannot eliminate.

The EPA secondary standard for iron is 0.3 mg/L for aesthetic reasons — taste, odor, and staining. San Antonio's iron levels typically hover near this threshold, making the staining noticeable but not necessarily a health concern. However, iron above 0.3 mg/L will foul water softener resin over time, requiring an iron pre-filter upstream of any softening system.

Chloramine in San Antonio's Water Treatment

San Antonio Water System uses chloramine rather than chlorine as its primary disinfectant — a choice that creates unique removal challenges for homeowners. Chloramine forms when ammonia is added to chlorine, creating a more stable disinfectant that doesn't dissipate as quickly as chlorine alone. This stability means chloramine provides longer-lasting protection in San Antonio's extensive distribution system.

The distinctive "band-aid" or medicinal odor in San Antonio tap water comes from chloramine, particularly noticeable in hot showers or when water sits in glasses overnight. Chloramine is significantly harder to remove than chlorine — standard activated carbon filters are ineffective, requiring specialized catalytic carbon media. The scale buildup from 15.2 GPG water can harbor chloramine in mineral deposits, intensifying the taste and odor issues.

Chloramine poses specific risks for fish owners and dialysis patients. It's toxic to fish even at municipal treatment levels, and it can cause hemolytic anemia in dialysis patients if not properly removed from treatment water. Additionally, chloramine can react with lead in older plumbing systems, potentially increasing lead leaching in San Antonio homes built before 1986.

Fluoride Addition in San Antonio

San Antonio intentionally adds fluoride to the water supply at approximately 0.7 mg/L as a dental health measure. This level aligns with current CDC recommendations for cavity prevention. The fluoride addition occurs at the treatment plant after the water is drawn from the Edwards Aquifer, since the natural groundwater contains minimal fluoride.

Water softeners do NOT remove fluoride — this is a critical point for San Antonio homeowners to understand. The ion exchange process that removes calcium and magnesium has no effect on fluoride ions. The EPA maximum contaminant level for fluoride is 4.0 mg/L for health protection and 2.0 mg/L for aesthetic concerns like dental fluorosis. San Antonio's levels are well below these thresholds.

San Antonio residents concerned about fluoride consumption would need a reverse osmosis system at the drinking water tap in addition to whole-house water softening. The softener addresses the 15.2 GPG hardness throughout the home, while point-of-use RO removes fluoride from drinking and cooking water specifically.

4. Why Most San Antonio Homeowners Pick the Wrong Softener

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I first started covering water treatment in extreme hardness cities like San Antonio: buying a softener based on price alone is like buying a car based solely on monthly payment. The wrong system will fail spectacularly under the relentless mineral assault of 15.2 GPG water, leaving you with hard water breakthrough and a garage full of useless equipment.

Mistake 1 — Buying on Price Alone

An undersized water softener cannot handle the continuous 15.2 GPG demand of a San Antonio household. Resin exhaustion happens frighteningly fast at extreme hardness levels — a 24,000-grain unit that works adequately in a soft-water city like Seattle will be overwhelmed by a San Antonio family's water usage within 2-3 days. The result is hard water breakthrough, meaning you get all the problems of unsoftened water despite owning a "functioning" system.

Mistake 2 — Confusing Softeners with Filters

Water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium exclusively — they do NOT reliably remove iron, chloramine, or fluoride. San Antonio residents dealing with both extreme hardness and these additional contaminants need a properly sequenced treatment approach. Iron requires pre-filtration to prevent resin fouling. Chloramine requires catalytic carbon filtration. Fluoride requires reverse osmosis at point-of-use.

Mistake 3 — Ignoring Grain Capacity Math

The grain capacity formula is non-negotiable in extreme hardness cities:

[Number of People] × 75 gallons per person per day × 15.2 GPG = daily grain demand

For a 4-person San Antonio household: 4 × 75 × 15.2 = 4,560 grains per day

Weekly demand: 4,560 × 7 = 31,920 grains

This family needs at minimum a 40,000-grain system, with 48,000 grains being the safer choice for optimal 5-7 day regeneration cycles. Anything smaller will regenerate every 2-3 days, wasting salt and water while providing inconsistent performance.

Mistake 4 — Overlooking Salt Efficiency at 15.2 GPG

At San Antonio's extreme hardness level, your water softener will regenerate 50-80 times per year compared to 20-30 times in moderate hardness cities. An inefficient system uses 15-25 pounds of salt per regeneration cycle, while a high-efficiency model uses 8-12 pounds for the same grain capacity. Over 10 years of San Antonio service, this efficiency difference compounds to 4,000-6,000 pounds of salt and $800-1,200 in operating costs.

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

After evaluating San Antonio's water hardness of 15.2 GPG and the presence of iron, chloramine, and fluoride in the local supply, one system consistently rises to the top for San Antonio homeowners: the SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener. This isn't marketing hyperbole — it's the logical conclusion when you match system capabilities to San Antonio's specific water chemistry challenges.

Salt-Based Ion Exchange for Extreme Hardness

Salt-free systems marketed as "water conditioners" do not actually remove hardness minerals — they only attempt to change crystal structure temporarily. At San Antonio's punishing 15.2 GPG level, salt-free technology simply cannot prevent scale buildup. The SoftPro Elite HE uses proven cation exchange resin to physically replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions — the only method that delivers genuinely soft water at extreme hardness levels.

The chemical process is straightforward: hard water passes through a resin bed where calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to and held by the resin beads, while sodium ions are released into the water. When the resin becomes saturated with hardness minerals, the system regenerates with salt brine to flush the accumulated calcium and magnesium down the drain and recharge the resin with fresh sodium ions.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) Technology

At San Antonio's 15.2 GPG hardness level, resin exhausts far faster than in moderate hardness cities — making precise regeneration timing operationally essential. The SoftPro Elite HE's DIR system tracks actual water usage and grain removal in real-time, regenerating only when the resin approaches true depletion. This prevents hard water breakthrough (under-regeneration) and eliminates salt and water waste (over-regeneration).

For San Antonio households, DIR isn't a convenience feature — it's a necessity. A timer-based system would either regenerate too frequently (wasting hundreds of dollars annually in salt) or too infrequently (allowing hard water breakthrough that defeats the entire purpose). DIR ensures consistent soft water delivery while optimizing salt efficiency in extreme hardness conditions.

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 Certified Performance

NSF/ANSI Standard 44 certification verifies that the ion exchange resin meets strict performance and materials safety standards under controlled laboratory conditions. For San Antonio residents already managing iron, chloramine, and fluoride in their water supply, knowing the softening process itself doesn't introduce additional contaminants provides crucial peace of mind.

The certification testing includes efficiency verification — confirming the system removes hardness minerals at the claimed capacity without excessive salt or water waste. At 15.2 GPG, efficiency matters because inefficient systems can consume 2-3 times more salt annually, adding hundreds of dollars to operating costs.

Multiple Grain Capacity Options

The SoftPro Elite HE offers 32,000, 48,000, 64,000, and 80,000-grain capacity models — critical for properly matching system size to San Antonio's extreme hardness demands. Using our earlier calculation for a 4-person household (31,920 grains weekly), the 48,000-grain model provides optimal 7-day regeneration cycles with appropriate reserve capacity for high-usage periods.

Larger households or those with high water usage should consider the 64,000-grain model. The key is maintaining 5-7 day regeneration intervals — shorter cycles waste salt and water, while longer cycles risk resin fouling and hard water breakthrough.

Iron Compatibility and Pre-Filtration Integration

The SoftPro Elite HE is specifically engineered to work downstream of iron removal systems — essential for San Antonio homes dealing with both 15.2 GPG hardness and iron staining. Iron above 0.3 mg/L will gradually foul softener resin, reducing capacity and efficiency over time. The system's design accommodates upstream iron filtration without voiding warranties or creating operational conflicts.

For San Antonio households with visible iron staining, the recommended approach pairs an iron-specific pre-filter (using greensand or birm media) upstream of the SoftPro Elite HE. This tandem configuration removes iron before it reaches the softener resin, protecting the system's longevity while addressing both contaminant issues.

10-Year Manufacturer Warranty

At San Antonio's 15.2 GPG hardness level, water softener resin experiences heavy daily mineral loading that would overwhelm lesser systems within 3-5 years. The SoftPro Elite HE's 10-year warranty provides San Antonio homeowners with manufacturer protection during the period of highest hardness stress. This warranty coverage reflects the manufacturer's confidence in the system's ability to handle extreme conditions consistently.

The warranty terms specifically cover resin replacement if capacity drops below specifications due to normal hardness processing — not just catastrophic failure. Given San Antonio's punishing water chemistry, this performance warranty provides genuine value and financial protection.

For San Antonio households dealing with 15.2 GPG of water hardness and the compounding presence of iron, chloramine, and fluoride, the SoftPro Elite HE is not a comfort upgrade — it is infrastructure protection for your home.

6. How to Size Your Softener for San Antonio

Proper sizing for San Antonio's extreme 15.2 GPG hardness requires precise calculations — guessing or using generic recommendations will result in either an overwhelmed undersized system or an unnecessarily expensive oversized unit. Follow this step-by-step formula to determine the exact grain capacity your household needs.

Step 1: Count all household members, including children and frequent guests

Step 2: Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day (industry standard for residential usage)

Step 3: Multiply daily household gallons × 15.2 GPG = daily grain demand

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

Step 5: Add 20% buffer for high-usage days (laundry, guests, lawn watering)

Step 6: Match total to SoftPro Elite HE grain capacity (32K/48K/64K/80K)

Here's the complete calculation for a 4-person San Antonio household:

Step 1: 4 people

Step 2: 4 × 75 = 300 gallons per day

Step 3: 300 gallons × 15.2 GPG = 4,560 grains per day

Step 4: 4,560 × 7 = 31,920 grains per week

Step 5: 31,920 × 1.20 = 38,304 grains per week with buffer

Step 6: Select SoftPro Elite HE 48,000-grain model

This sizing provides optimal 7-day regeneration cycles with adequate reserve capacity for San Antonio's extreme hardness conditions. Regenerating every 5-7 days maximizes salt efficiency while ensuring consistent soft water delivery even during high-demand periods.

7. Installation in San Antonio: What to Know

San Antonio does not require licensed plumber installation for residential water softeners, but the city's extreme hardness makes proper placement and setup critical for system longevity. Many homeowners can handle the installation themselves with basic plumbing skills, though professional installation ensures optimal configuration from day one.

Placement requirements are non-negotiable: the softener must install after the main water shutoff valve but before the water heater. This positioning treats all household water while protecting the softener from potential backflow contamination. In San Antonio homes, locate the installation point near the garage or utility room where the main line enters the house.

The regeneration process requires a drain line for brine discharge — typically 3/4-inch tubing that connects to a floor drain, utility sink, or standpipe. San Antonio's municipal code allows softener discharge into the sanitary sewer system but prohibits connection to septic systems due to the salt content. Plan the drain routing during installation to avoid future access problems.

San Antonio's typical municipal water pressure ranges from 45-65 PSI, which suits the SoftPro Elite HE's operating requirements perfectly. No pressure reduction is needed in most installations. However, homes with pressure exceeding 80 PSI should install a pressure reducing valve upstream of the softener to prevent resin damage from excessive force.

Salt selection matters significantly at San Antonio's 15.2 GPG consumption rate — use evaporated salt pellets exclusively for optimal performance. Solar salt crystals leave more residue in the brine tank and can cause bridging problems with frequent regeneration cycles. Evaporated pellets cost slightly more but provide 99.6% purity and minimal tank maintenance in extreme hardness applications.

Check salt levels monthly during your first year of operation to establish consumption patterns at San Antonio's hardness level. A typical 4-person household will consume 40-60 pounds of salt monthly, requiring brine tank refills every 6-8 weeks depending on tank size and regeneration frequency.

8. Maintenance Schedule for San Antonio Homeowners

San Antonio's extreme 15.2 GPG hardness accelerates normal wear patterns and requires more frequent maintenance than moderate hardness cities. Following this schedule prevents costly repairs and ensures consistent performance throughout the system's 10-year warranty period.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Check salt levels monthly — consumption runs high at 15.2 GPG with regeneration cycles occurring every 5-7 days. Maintain salt level at least 3 inches above the water line in the brine tank. Watch for salt bridges (a hard crust forming above the water) that prevent proper brine formation during regeneration.

Confirm the bypass valve remains in the "service" position. Accidental switching to bypass allows hard water throughout the house, causing immediate scale buildup and appliance damage at San Antonio's extreme hardness level.

Quarterly Maintenance (Every 3 Months)

Clean the brine tank thoroughly, removing any accumulated salt residue or sediment. At San Antonio's regeneration frequency, mineral buildup occurs faster than in moderate hardness cities. Empty the tank, scrub with warm water, and refill with fresh evaporated salt pellets.

Test post-softener water hardness using test strips — readings should consistently show under 1 GPG. Any reading above 3 GPG indicates resin exhaustion, incorrect regeneration timing, or system malfunction requiring immediate attention.

If your San Antonio home has iron issues, inspect and backwash any upstream iron pre-filters every 3 months. Iron breakthrough will quickly foul the softener resin, requiring expensive cleaning or replacement.

Annual Maintenance Requirements

Perform complete brine tank disassembly and cleaning, including float assembly and brine well components. San Antonio's frequent regeneration cycles cause faster accumulation of mineral deposits in all brine system components.

Conduct a comprehensive resin bed performance evaluation — if post-softener hardness creeps above 1 GPG despite proper salt levels and regeneration timing, the resin may need cleaning or replacement. At 15.2 GPG, resin capacity typically begins declining after 7-8 years of service.

Check regeneration cycle timing and salt dosage settings annually. San Antonio homeowners should document water usage patterns and adjust regeneration frequency seasonally if needed — summer irrigation and winter holiday guests can significantly impact consumption.

5-Year Major Service Evaluation

At the 5-year mark, San Antonio residents should assess resin replacement needs based on performance testing rather than arbitrary timelines. Extreme hardness degrades resin faster than manufacturer estimates based on moderate hardness conditions. If efficiency drops below 80% of original capacity, resin replacement becomes cost-effective compared to increased salt consumption and potential breakthrough events.

9. Recommended Setup for San Antonio

San Antonio's complex water profile requires a systematic treatment approach that addresses 15.2 GPG hardness while managing iron, chloramine, and fluoride appropriately. Here's the optimal configuration for comprehensive water treatment:

Stage 1: Iron Pre-Filtration (if needed) — Install an iron-specific filter using greensand or birm media if iron staining is visible. This protects the downstream softener from resin fouling.

Stage 2: SoftPro Elite HE Water Softener — The primary hardness removal system, sized according to household calculations and regenerating every 5-7 days.

Stage 3: Whole-House Carbon Filter (for chloramine) — Install a catalytic carbon system downstream of the softener to remove chloramine taste and odor from all household water.

Stage 4: Point-of-Use RO (for fluoride) — Install a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water if fluoride removal is desired.

This staged approach handles each contaminant with the appropriate technology while maintaining the SoftPro Elite HE as the foundation system for San Antonio's extreme hardness challenge.

10. 30-Day Action Plan for San Antonio Homeowners

Week 1: Test your current water hardness and document existing problems (scale buildup, soap performance, appliance efficiency). Take photos of mineral deposits on fixtures and appliances for before/after comparison.

Week 2: Calculate your household's exact grain capacity needs using the San Antonio formula. Research installation location and drain routing options. Order your SoftPro Elite HE system in the appropriate grain capacity.

Week 3: Prepare installation site and gather necessary tools. If hiring a plumber, schedule installation. Purchase evaporated salt pellets and test strips for ongoing maintenance.

Week 4: Complete installation and initial system setup. Test post-softener water hardness to confirm under 1 GPG performance. Begin documenting salt consumption patterns for future maintenance scheduling.

11. Is San Antonio's water at 15.2 GPG dangerous to drink?

San Antonio's 15.2 GPG hardness poses no direct health risks — calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that many people take as dietary supplements. The EPA has no health-based standards for water hardness because hard water doesn't cause illness or disease.

However, extremely hard water does create indirect health and safety concerns. Scale buildup in water heaters can harbor bacteria in areas where disinfectants can't reach effectively. The mineral deposits also reduce water heater efficiency, potentially causing temperature fluctuations that affect scalding risk. Additionally, the skin and hair irritation from 15.2 GPG water can exacerbate existing dermatological conditions.

12. Will a water softener remove iron, chloramine, and fluoride from San Antonio's water?

Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium exclusively through ion exchange — they do NOT remove iron, chloramine, or fluoride. This is crucial for San Antonio homeowners to understand when planning comprehensive water treatment.

Iron requires separate filtration using oxidizing media before the softener. Chloramine needs catalytic carbon filtration, which can be installed after the softener. Fluoride removal requires reverse osmosis technology, typically at point-of-use for drinking water. The SoftPro Elite HE addresses San Antonio's 15.2 GPG hardness completely but requires companion systems for other contaminants.

13. How much salt will I use per month in San Antonio at 15.2 GPG?

A typical 4-person San Antonio household will consume 45-65 pounds of salt monthly with the SoftPro Elite HE system. This calculation is based on regenerating every 5-7 days using approximately 8-12 pounds of salt per cycle.

Monthly salt cost runs $8-15 using quality evaporated pellets. While this seems high compared to moderate hardness cities, it's far less expensive than the $65-100 monthly "hard water tax" San Antonio families pay in energy waste, excess soap, and appliance damage without a softener.

14. Does San Antonio require a permit to install a water softener?

San Antonio does not require permits for residential water softener installation when connecting to existing plumbing lines. However, any new plumbing connections or modifications to the main water line may require city permits and licensed plumber installation.

The city does prohibit softener discharge to septic systems due to salt content but allows connection to the municipal sewer system. Always verify current city codes before installation, as regulations can change. Contact San Antonio Water System at (210) 704-7297 for specific questions about installation requirements.

15. Why does soft water feel slippery in the shower after installing a softener?

The "slippery" sensation San Antonio residents notice after softener installation is actually the feeling of truly clean skin for the first time. At 15.2 GPG, calcium and magnesium ions create a mineral film on your skin that prevents soap from rinsing completely. This film makes skin feel "squeaky" when rubbed.

Soft water allows soap to rinse completely, leaving behind your skin's natural oils instead of mineral deposits. The slippery feeling is normal and indicates the system is working properly. Most San Antonio families adjust to the sensation within 2-3 weeks and prefer it to the dry, tight feeling of extremely hard water.

Final Verdict for San Antonio

San Antonio's punishing 15.2 GPG water hardness demands commercial-grade treatment capability in a residential package. The combination of extreme mineral content, iron staining potential, and chloramine taste issues creates a water chemistry profile that destroys unprepared homes systematically and expensively.

The SoftPro Elite HE rises above other residential softeners because its demand-initiated regeneration handles San Antonio's rapid resin depletion intelligently, its NSF-certified components withstand extreme mineral loading reliably, and its 10-year warranty provides financial protection during the years of heaviest hardness stress. Lesser systems simply cannot sustain consistent performance under these conditions.

For San Antonio homeowners ready to stop subsidizing their water utility's mineral delivery service, check current SoftPro Elite HE pricing and available grain capacities sized appropriately for Alamo City's unique demands. Your water heater, appliances, and wallet will thank you faster than you can say "Remember the Alamo" — and unlike that famous battle, this is one fight San Antonio homeowners can actually win.