I've got a Linea 2 group set up for very low volume use (residential) in Austin, TX. I've plumbed it in because i'm not up for the flowjet and 5g water drum gig. Our water is fairly low (4-6grains) in calcium, but in general tastes absolutely disgusting. I've been using the Chris Coffee/whirlpool style canister filter, and have noticed that i'm getting some scale buildup in the machine. I also think water may be the very last element to be controlled in my production (already have PID for Brew/steam, Piero group caps, passive boiler preheat (coppper tube wrap) and Duranium burrs in the SJ. I have a spare Everpure QL3 thats been sitting on my workbench for a year, and am considering going to an everpure filter. I've also looked at the scale-x system.

I'm looking at different filters, and the BH2 from Ever pure looks like a good choice (scale inhabition, .5 micron filtering, ingredient grade water product) but I'm not sure if .5GPM is sufficient flow. I've also looked the MC2 but appears to lack the scale inhabition.

I'm Game to try a water softener, but general opinion seems to suggest that softened water just doesn't taste as good. Any opinions?