Eli5 why water companies can’t soften the water to a usable level?

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At least to a level that isn’t actively dangerous to the water pipes of the houses it enters? Maybe even to a level where it doesn’t ruin every water-using appliance in the house? Why does every single person in the Great Lakes area need to own their own individual water softener, if we have city water? I can understand that well users need them, why should everyone else?

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