LIME22 Water Conditioner, Green, 22 mm

Only one star because I don’t think I can give it zero stars. We are in an area with TDS (total dissolved solids) of 210 to 220 PPM, so considered hard water. This product seemed like a cheaper alternative to a water softener, but did it work? The pseudo science (essentially some form of template-assisted crystallisation) is not backed up by published scientific literature, could a 6 inch length of pipe with very little constricted flow really make much difference? I was highly sceptical, but thought I’d give it a try. When it arrived the packaging seemed well constructed as did the product. It would certainly pass “UK building regs part L”, but so does a length of copper pipe. I tested it by connecting it to our cold water outlet in the kitchen, measuring the TDS with and without the device in place using a calibrated TDS meter. I found there was no difference in the TDS measurements. It had no measurable effect. If microcrystalline changes occur then those species are no longer in solution and a TDS meter would detect that change. I decided to ring the manufacturer and discuss what I’d measured, give them the opportunity to respond in case I had overlooked something. I was disappointed to find their phone number is no longer in service. Not good. Buyer beware.