The Morton System Saver M30 water softener has smart, money-saving technology that will make your water soft and your life easy. Find out what else it can do in our detailed review and buying guide!
Morton System Saver M30 Water Softener Review
Morton System Saver M30 is a water softener that will work well in large homes and even in those with very hard water. Its clever, high-end technology makes it efficient with your resources and uses less salt. This whole house water softener packs a huge 200-pound tank, meaning that once it’s full, you can leave it to run automatically for long periods of time.
Morton M30 System Saver Water Softener Key Features
- Cost: $$
- Suitable Size Home: Medium to Large
- Suitable Water Hardness: Medium to very hard
- Warranty: 10 years on the tank. 1 year limited
- Dimensions: 17″ wide x 21″ deep x 43″ tall
- Capacity: 30,000 grains
- Regeneration: Meter based
- Water Flow Rate: Over 11 gallons per minute
Introduction: What Is the Morton System Saver M30?
The Morton MC30 System Saver is a water softener that has a compact single tank design. It is capable of handling the water softening needs of a large family home with really hard water. Morton is actually one of the leading brands that produce salt pellets for water softeners and lend their knowledge to the electronic side this time.
In case you do not remember, we also offered a review comparison between the Diamond Crystal and the Morton Water Softener Salt, with the latter winning points for cost-effectiveness.
How Does the Morton M30 Water Softener Work?
But back to the Morton water softener, one of the first things you should know is that the MC30 makes use of Morton’s patented System Saver technology. It seems that it makes more efficient use of detergents and soaps, saving you time and money.
The 30,000-grain capacity system also uses electronic technology that “looks ahead” to predict water consumption. By learning from your water usage patterns, it is able to predict future trends. This means the system will regenerate only at the right time and will use less salt in the process.
The M30 is also designed to withstand power cuts and includes an 8-hour power interruption backup.
What Else Should You Know about the Morton System Saver M30 Water Softener?
Should your home be without power, the system can still function for a limited time. The system will handle moderate amounts of ferric iron in the water, but it lacks a more refined filter for sediment. For homes with well water supplies that are high in sediment, a filter should be installed to protect the water softener.
These filters are inexpensive and easily installed (see a sediment filter on Amazon). Also, you might want to check out the Morton MWSC Universal Water Softener cleansing solution, a product that helps you remove harmful deposits from the resin bed, valves, and system that salt alone cannot remove. It is compatible with Morton, Whirlpool, Eco Pure, Omni, Culligan, GE, Kenmore, and other water softener brands.
On a final note of this summary, the Morton MC30 is NSF certified for hardness reduction and efficiency. This means that it has been independently tested and deemed effective in these areas.
Morton System Saver M30 Water Softener Performance
The Morton MC30 System Saver boasts a huge 200-pound capacity salt tank. This is housed in a single unit which will take up just 1.3 square feet of floor space. The system has a 30,000-grain capacity, meaning that it can handle the needs of a large home.

Like most salt-based water softeners it works on the principle of ion exchange (see image below). The hard water ions of magnesium and calcium are “swapped” for soft water sodium ions. The process takes place in the resin tank, which contains tiny beads made of a material like a styrene and divinylbenzene. The hard water ions are bound to the resin with sodium ions taking their place.

Eventually, the resin becomes “full” with hard water ions, and a regeneration cycle needs to take place to reset the system. The regeneration process for the Morton MC30 consists of 5 cycles:
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Brine Fill
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Brining
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Brine Rinse
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Backwash
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Fast Rinse

Morton System Saver M30 Water Softener Installation & Maintenance
Aside from the water softener unit, the Morton MC30 package also includes:
- A bypass valve
- Drain hose
- Installation adaptors
- Clips
- Hose clamps
- Adaptor elbow
- Grommet
You’ll need some additional tubing and fittings to install it, but these can be purchased relatively little cost. The video below gives a quick summary of a typical installation of the MC30 model.
Always install a bypass valve to help with maintenance. Should there be an issue at some time then this will allow you to stop the water flow going through the unit so a problem can be identified or fixed. Only a single bypass valve is included. If you were to need a 3-way bypass then parts can easily be purchased from your local hardware store. If you want more information and tips, check out our guide on how to install a water softener the easy way. We are sure you will get some helpful advice from that one too.
The system is relatively easy to install and connects to a 3/4″pipe. It includes an adaptor if required.

Remember that the water softener will need access to a power supply and a drain nearby. It doesn’t need much floor space and takes up just 1.3 square feet.

Regarding maintenance, after you have programmed the water softener to regenerate according to time or usage, your only task is to make sure it is always stocked with salt pellets. The huge 200-pound capacity tank will hold 4 large bags of salt and will need little attention for months once it’s full.
Find here the installation manual.
Morton System Saver M30 Water Softener Pros & Cons
Now that we saw the main tech specs and features of this water softener, let’s see together a rundown of its advantages and drawbacks!
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
NSF certified | Warranty on electronics a little short |
Handles really hard water | |
Suitable for large homes | |
Efficient technology |

- Compact single tank design: 17” wide x 21” deep x 43” tall
- High water flow rates over 11 gallons per minute
- 30,000 grains water softener
Morton M30 Water Softeners: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we reach the conclusion of this Morton water softener review, it is time to offer you the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this water softener and how good it works at removing the hardness minerals and providing you with soft water!
1. Are Morton water softeners worth it?
Morton is a reputable and trustworthy brand when it comes to water softeners, water softener salts, and softening system accessories. We recommend the Morton M30 – the 30,000-grain model – because of its many benefits and high-end technological specifications and features. As long as you use it with city water, you should enjoy smooth, soft hair and skin for a very long time.
2. How long does a Morton water softener last?
As we already mentioned when we discussed the best water softeners on the market, a high-quality water softener can and should last up to 15 years, with an average lifespan of 10 years.
3. How do you clean the Morton M30 water softener?
As we said above, you should use the Morton MWSC Universal Water Softener cleansing solution to clean this water softener. This is what you need to do, according to the manufacturer:
Pour the entire bottle (16 oz.) of Morton Water Softener Cleanser directly into the brine well. If your softener has no brine well, pour the Morton Water Softener Cleanser directly into the salt tank when the salt is low. Immediately manually regenerate the softener (press and hold the recharge button). Full directions are available on the back of the cleanser bottle.
4. How do I know if my Morton M30 water softener is not working properly anymore?
As we discussed above in the installation and maintenance chapter, a water softener – including the Morton M30 – shows signs of malfunctions or exhaustion when one or more of the following issues occur:
- Your soap lathers poorly in comparison to a previous time when it lathered better due to the proper functioning of your water softener;
- You have again laundry problems as you had before the installation of the water softener and the reduction of hardness minerals in your home;
- Limescale begins to build again around your faucets, pipes, fixtures, tiles, etc.;
- The water tastes funny again;
- Your water-using appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, coffee maker) show signs of limescale and poor functioning.
5. What does it mean when my Morton M30 is full of water?
This is a troubleshooting sign that you might deal with a salt clog at the bottom of the tank. If this happens, try to de-clog the tank or call a professional plumber to help you with this overflowing issue.
Morton M30 Water Softener Review: Verdict and Final Thoughts
This Morton M30 water softener brings a lot of bang for your buck. Before you purchase it, however, make sure that your community did not impose restrictions, bans, or regulations on water softeners’ use. Other than that, the Morton M30 is an excellent device sporting hi-tech features that you will surely enjoy.
If you have any questions about this water softener or softeners in general then please get in contact, and we’ll do our best to help.
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Image Source: System Saver
what setting is for less salt around 20, usually mine is set at 25??need answer higher or lower in number?
Are you talking about the water hardness setting?
If so, the higher the number you enter here, the harder your water is. The harder your water, the more salt the system will use.
If you’re unsure how hard your water is, you can purchase a test kit relatively cheaply.
This model also has a salt efficiency setting that you can turn on to use less salt. By default, it is turned off.
do you ever add more water to the salt besides the first 6 gallons initinally?