Direct answer: Watts does not publish softener prices. Its 2026 dealer catalog lists models by ordering code and says Watts branches “can take orders, quote prices, review inventory and check order status,” so the price of a Watts softener is a dealer’s quote. The documents do show the running costs: the WM100SM manual lists 6 to 15 lb of salt per regeneration for a 1-cubic-foot unit and up to 30 lb for 2 cubic feet, the catalog lists backwash rates of 2.2 to 3.5 gpm for the current CK10SM models, and the warranty excludes labor, freight and shipping.
Publisher boundary: Water System Guide is an independent research publisher, not a Watts dealer or distributor. This page uses the Watts Water Quality dealer catalog C-WQ-Dealer 2604 (April 2026) and the Watts water conditioner operating manual with the WM100SM valve (FORM 0500-200, PDF created 2006), reviewed October 15, 2026. Calculations are our arithmetic and are labeled. We do not quote equipment or installation prices because Watts publishes none for these systems.
Why there is no Watts list price
The catalog is a dealer document. Its model tables give an ordering code, capacity, tank sizes, salt fill, flow rates and shipping weight, but no price. Its company page directs buyers to branches that “quote prices” and asks readers to “contact your local Watts representative” (Watts dealer catalog, PDF page 3). The warranty in the WM100SM manual has a blank for “Distributed by,” which reflects the same channel (WM100SM manual, PDF page 2).
The installed price is therefore the dealer’s price for equipment plus labor, fittings, drain work and any pretreatment. For typical installed-cost ranges across brands, see our water softener cost guide.
What the equipment includes
Comparing quotes is easier when you know what Watts ships. The catalog says the W100-valve models “are complete systems including: W100 high flow, metered valve; standard mineral tank; black brine tank; float valve to prevent brine overflow; by-pass valve” (dealer catalog, PDF page 20). The dual-media unit comes “with W100 valve, by-pass, 1” PVC elbow tails & coconut shell carbon,” and “brine tanks come with safety float valve” (dealer catalog, PDF page 18).
The manual says installation fitting assemblies “are sold in pairs” and that “the installation fitting assemblies and the bypass valve are sold separately from the control valve” for the valve itself (WM100SM manual, PDF page 14). Ask whether the quote includes the fitting kit.
Our Watts water softener models comparison lists the catalog’s families and sizes.
Salt
The manual’s specification table gives maximum and minimum programmed capacities and the salt each uses per regeneration (WM100SM manual, PDF page 4):
| Resin | Capacity max / min | Salt per regeneration max / min |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 30,000 / 20,000 grains | 15 / 6 lb |
| 1.5 cu ft | 45,000 / 30,000 grains | 22 / 9 lb |
| 2 cu ft | 60,000 / 40,000 grains | 30 / 12 lb |
| 3 cu ft | 90,000 / 60,000 grains | 45 / 18 lb |
The 2026 catalog’s CK10SM models use 1, 1.5 and 2 cubic feet of resin with the same maximum capacities (dealer catalog, PDF page 20).
Our arithmetic, a worked example: a household using 300 gallons a day of 15 gpg water needs about 4,500 grains of softening a day. On an M3013 (1.5 cubic feet) programmed at its 30,000-grain minimum, that is a regeneration about every 6.7 days at 9 lb of salt, or about 490 lb a year. Programmed at its 45,000-grain maximum, it is about every 10 days at 22 lb, or about 800 lb a year. Your hardness, water use and the valve’s reserve will change these figures, but the comparison shows why the programmed setting drives salt cost more than the model does. The manual recommends “a good grade of solar or pellet salt.”
The catalog lists a 350-lb salt fill for the CK10SM brine tanks. Potassium chloride is listed among compatible regenerants in the manual and usually costs more per bag; ask the dealer how the settings change if you switch.
Water
Backwash and rinse water goes to drain. The catalog lists backwash rates of 2.2 gpm for the M3011-CK10SM, 2.7 for the M3013 and 3.5 for the M3015 (dealer catalog, PDF page 20). Neither document we reviewed gives cycle times, so we do not estimate gallons per regeneration. Because the valve is metered and regenerates on demand by default, the number of regenerations, and therefore the water used, follows your water use and hardness setting.
Other running costs in the documents
- Carbon in the dual-media unit. The M3011-W100SM-CR-CMP holds 0.5 cubic feet of coconut-shell carbon above 1 cubic foot of resin, and the catalog says “carbon can be replaced without replacing the resin” (dealer catalog, PDF page 18). Neither document gives a replacement interval, so ask the dealer how long the carbon is expected to last on your chlorine level and what a carbon change costs.
- Iron. For loss of pressure caused by “iron buildup in water conditioner,” the manual’s fix is to “clear control and add mineral cleaner and increase regeneration frequency” (WM100SM manual, PDF page 24). More regenerations mean more salt and water. The hardness setting “can be increased if soluble iron needs to be reduced,” with the same effect.
- Sanitizing. The start-up procedure uses “3/4 to 1 1/2 ounce of 5.25% common household bleach” in the brine well, and the manual says “some water supplies may require periodic disinfecting.”
- Larger and twin systems. The Locksmith CLS-125 and twin-alternating models use 18 x 40 or larger brine tanks with salt fills of 400 to 800 lb (dealer catalog, PDF pages 19 and 22). A twin keeps soft water available “24/7, without interruption,” but has two mineral tanks to maintain.
Electricity
The valve runs on a 110V-to-12V transformer (order number KC11V3186) (WM100SM manual, PDF page 18). The manual says the outlet should be “uninterrupted,” and the catalog lists “120 volt, 60 Hz, standard” for the dual-media unit. Neither document lists wattage.
Installation requirements that can add cost
The manual’s installation pages list conditions that can turn into line items (WM100SM manual, PDF page 6):
- Pressure. “The softener is designed for a minimum of 20 psi and a maximum of 125 psi working pressure. If the line pressure exceeds this limit, a pressure-reducing valve should be installed.”
- Temperature. “Maximum allowable water temperature is 40°F (4°C) – 110°F (38°C).”
- Distance from the water heater. Locate the softener “at least 10 feet away from the hot water heater so that hot water does not backup and damage the softener.” The warranty excludes “hot water back up.”
- Drain. An open drain is required; a 5/8” overflow line from the brine tank to drain is called for. The drain line must be at least 1/2”, or 3/4” for backwash above 7 gpm or runs over 20 feet (WM100SM manual, PDF page 3).
- Isolation and bypass. The manual recommends “manual isolating valves be installed on the inlet and outlet piping along with a system bypass valve.”
- Grounding. Where cold water pipes are used as an electrical ground, “a ground wire should be connected to the copper pipes to complete the ground circuit” (WM100SM manual, PDF page 7).
Warranty terms that affect what you pay later
From the WM100SM manual (PDF page 2):
- 5 years on fiberglass resin tanks; 5 years on the salt tank and control valve; 1 year on component materials and workmanship.
- “Labor is not included.” Freight and shipping “are for the customer’s account.” Returns need a Return Goods Authorization, and “collect freight returns will not be accepted.”
- “Water softener resins subjected to iron, manganese, and chlorine levels greater than 1 ppm are expressly not covered by the 5 year warranty.”
- The period starts at installation “but shall not begin later than six (6) months from the date of manufacture.”
The catalog’s terms say the seller “shall provide its then-current standard written warranty” (dealer catalog, PDF page 7). Ask for that document with the quote.
Questions to ask before signing
- Which exact model and ordering code, and what capacity and salt setting will you program?
- Does the price include the bypass, fitting kit, drain and overflow lines, and a pressure-reducing valve if needed?
- Has my water been tested for iron, manganese and chlorine above 1 ppm?
- What do you charge for labor and freight on a warranty repair?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Watts water softener cost?
Watts does not publish prices. The 2026 dealer catalog lists ordering codes and says Watts branches quote prices to dealers. Get written quotes that name the model, programmed capacity and the installation work included.
How much salt does a Watts softener use?
The WM100SM manual lists 6 to 15 lb per regeneration for a 1-cubic-foot unit, 9 to 22 lb for 1.5 cubic feet and 12 to 30 lb for 2 cubic feet. Yearly use depends on hardness, water use and the programmed setting.
Does the Watts warranty cover labor?
No. The WM100SM manual says labor is not included and freight and shipping are the customer’s responsibility. Parts are repaired or replaced at the manufacturer’s choice.
Does a Watts softener need a pressure regulator?
Only if pressure is outside the design range. The manual says the softener is designed for 20 to 125 psi working pressure and that a pressure-reducing valve should be installed if line pressure exceeds that.