You don’t drink the salty water. The salt is just a tool. And not all softeners use the same salt. Some use potassium chloride. It’s more expensive but better for plants and people on low-sodium diets.
Also, modern softeners are smart. They don’t regenerate on a dumb timer anymore. They measure how much water you use. Some even connect to Wi-Fi. Yes, your water softener is smarter than your toaster.
Imagine a robot that tastes your water and decides when to scrub its own beads. That’s the future. It’s already here.