Morton System Saver 30000 Grain Water Softener Review
By G. Simms, Plumber, Contractor

By G. Simms
Plumber, Contractor
Time: 1-minute read

In our continuous effort to provide consumers with objective and unbiased product reviews, we have laboriously engaged in information gathering on the Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener (M30).
This review is geared towards providing consumers with the salient points of the M30. We deemed the Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener worthy of immediate scrutiny because of the growing number of household owners who are asking about the merits and limitations of this product.
We’ll tell you what you need to know, including if this product is truly worth buying.
Morton System Saver 30000 Grain Water Softener Review
The Company
Morton Salt is a well-known company that has been producing salt for water conditioning, food, roads, industry, and agriculture since 1848. With regard to its salt production, Morton Salt surely has an impeccable track record.
But what about their line of water softeners?
They’ve only been making softeners since 2002, and the M30 is the most popular model.
So, let’s see if they’ve been able to transfer their expertise from making salt for softeners to making softeners themselves.
Why Should We Buy This Product?
To understand how well the M30 works, we first need to have a basic understanding of what a water softener is supposed to do. If you’re already familiar with this information, feel free to skip down.
Water is “hard” when it contains magnesium and calcium in the form of bicarbonates, sulfates, and chlorides. These minerals cause our water systems a lot of problems. They can foul up our plumbing system as they cause a buildup of lime scale.
They can also lead to sewage problems and might eventually cause the formation of soap scum on shower surfaces and tubs.
The M30 softens the water with organic polymers that bind to and remove the minerals from the water. No minerals means soft water.
Is the M30 Worth Buying?
To succinctly answer this question, we need to address the following seven questions.
- What size of filtering capacity do you need?
- How long do you want to use it?
- Is it durable?
- Is it easy to install?
- Is it affordable?
- Is it easy to use and reliable?
- Who is it for?
PRODUCT DETAILS
What is its Filtering Capacity?
The M30 has a 30,000-grain capacity, equivalent to 1.5 cubic feet of softener resins. It can, therefore, effectively meet the softening requirement of medium-sized households as well as small businesses.
How Long Will It Last?
Statistics show that water softeners last from 10 to 15 years on average. Their lifespan is determined by how heavily they’re used and the quality of their make.
The M30 appears to pass the 10-year average test as long as you follow the specifications indicated for this product. Moreover, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty. This warranty covers the control panel parts and labor. Its tank also comes with a 10-year warranty.
You can be fairly confident that the M30 will last into the average lifespan for water softeners.
Is It Durable?
It would be biased to say at the onset that the M30 is of reliable quality and durability unless you have bought it and used it for several years without it experiencing a glitch.
Remember that it was only in 2002 that the company first ventured into water softening device manufacturing. So, it’s a little too early to say that the M30 is durable as compared to other brands that are backed by a longer history of producing water softener devices.
But the feedback so far of those who have opted to replace their water softener devices with the M30 are fairly positive, allowing us to gauge the durability of this product as high, provided you don’t misuse the control head.
Is It Easy to Install?
The Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener is not a complicated device to install, and you don't need to shell out extra money hiring someone to set up this unit. It has a kit that contains the step-by-step procedure on how to install it.
You must simply follow the instructions to set it up. The kit generally comes with step-down conversion nuts, bolts, connectors, washers, and a bypass valve. On your own, you can readily connect it to your copper plumbing. It also comes with a 20-ft drain pipe and with a 120/24 volt AC adapter.
Continue reading for the rest of the answers to our 7 questions.
Detailed Breakdown
The Morton Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener is quite small as compared to other water softeners, at 44 inches high. It is also less expensive being at the lower end of the price spectrum of water softeners
FEATURES
It features the Look-Ahead Technology, which lets you continuously enjoy its use without it cutting off your water supply during its needed weekly regeneration process. This is because the technology enables the device to make use of the gap in your routine use of water for its regeneration process. You can also configure the M30 to regenerate according to your desired schedule.
The Morton 30,000 comes with all the necessary fittings for smooth installation. Moreover, it doesn't require regular maintenance besides that of lifting its lid and checking the level of salt and refilling it once every two weeks.
The design of its control panel is quite simple and easy to program. You can easily program it by simply setting the timer and the level of water's hardness relative to the number of ions in each gallon of water.
It allows for 8-hour power interruption protection, an immediate regeneration button, and a single disk rotary valve.
The M30 can supply your home with around 7 gallons of soft water every minute. This high of flow rate should be adequate for a household with four to five members under normal use.
The system also filters a certain amount of iron from the water, eventually reducing the amount of iron and its side-effects on your water. So, before you decide to add another filter for iron to your system, you should first try the filtering capability of the M30.
Lastly, the system comes with a 1-year warranty for the control panel and 10-year warranty for its tank.
SPECIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE CLAIMS
Model: Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener
- Measurements: 45 inches high, 23 inches wide, 20 inches deep
- Weight: 80.5 pounds
- Softening Capacity (measured as Grains per Salt Dose): 13,000 per 2.9 pounds, 25.500 per 8.0 pounds, 30,000 per 13.1 pounds
- Efficiency (Grains per Pound of Salt per Minimum Salt Dose: 4,567 per 2.9 pounds
- Water Usage During Regeneration per Minimum Salt Dose: 2.8 gallons/1,000grains
- Total Water Usage Per Regeneration per Maximum Salt Dose: 35.3 gallons
- Service Flow Rate:7 gallons per minute
- Highest Capacity of Ion Exchange Amount in Resin:82 cubic feet
- Pressure Drop per Rated Service Flow: 11.5 psi per gallon
- Maximum Water Supply Hardness: 95 grains per gallon
- Maximum Iron in Clear Water in Water Supply: 7 parts per million
- Minimum and Maximum Limits for Water Pressure: 20-125 psi
- Minimum and Maximum Limits for Water Temperature Limits: 40 -120 degrees Fahrenheit
- Water Supply Minimum Flow Rate: 3 gallons per minute
- Minimum Rate of Drain Flow: 2.2 gallons per minute
The abovementioned specifications and specific performance claims have been substantiated and verified by test data; hence, these specifications are carefully and efficiently rated.
However, those specific efficiencies are only valid relative to the stated salt doses. You should, therefore, not operate this softener beyond the specified salt dose. Additionally, the abovementioned dose of salt and the salt efficiency have been systematically measured in the laboratory.
Moreover, the M30 works well with clean grades of softener salt. Lastly, this water softener definitely conforms with the NSF/ANSI.
EASE OF USE & RELIABILITY
The Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener is characterized by its easy-to-use control panel. It is not a complicated device to install and you also won't need to the service of an expert to install it.
The step-by-step procedure in its kit can easily help you set it up for immediate use, and this kit comes with basically everything you need, including the bypass valve, installation adaptors, clips, hose clamps, adaptor elbow, and grommet. It also comes with a 20-ft drain pipe, with accompanying 120/24V AC adapter.
Once the transformer is plugged into the nearest electrical outlet, you can readily set the time of day, the water hardness number, the set regeneration time, and the set salt efficiency. You can also set the backwash or engage in on-demand regeneration.
The manual will surely keep you on track with the programming of this water softening device.
IS IT AFFORDABLE?
The prices of most water softeners nowadays range depending on their design, brand, capacity, and make.
The Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener is at the lower end of this price spectrum. It’s one of the most affordable models on the market today.
WHO IS THE M30 FOR?
Since the maximum rated softening capacity of the M30 is 30,000 per 13.1 pounds of salt dose, this product is ideal for small to medium-sized households and small businesses.
Remember, though, that the size of a home or building is not the issue. It’s the demand for water. If you have a large property with only 4 people using the water, this could a very economical choice for you.
Our Opinion

There is no doubt about the quality of this product and the excellent technology that it employs. We’re a little skeptical because of how recently Morton has started producing softeners.
But given the reputation of the company and the proven durability of the M30 so far, we’re confident in its worth.
It doesn’t have some of the advanced features that you would find on other softeners, but it’s also less expensive than most other models. We find it to be a solidly built, efficient option for low to medium water usage.
The Morton System Saver 30,000 Grain Water Softener is very competitive when compared to other water softener brands in its price range, and as long as you follow the above mentioned specifications and instructions, it can perform efficiently four to ten years, or even longer.
Other Options Worth Looking At
Morton only makes compact, single-tank units. If you’re not sure about the M30, you could consider the Morton 27,000 Grain Water Softener or the Morton 34,000 Grain Water Softener. Both are very similar to the M30 with slightly lower or higher grain capacities and flow rates to meet the needs of smaller or larger homes.

About the Author
George Simms is a Salt Lake City based plumber and contractor, with a focus on aiding homes and businesses (particularly farm) solve problems with hard and contaminated water. Walter is here to share his wealth of job experience and a knowledge of both modern and antique plumbing.
Last Updated on December 9, 2021