Hard water

Our neighbouring village has a kind of factory, a building I haven't been inside yet, where their water is made less hard. We don't have this; instead most houses have a softening unit.
Nevertheless our water is not really soft. As you can see this pipe has a layer of chalk/lime, where the water came out of the valve. The valve had to be replaced due to the influence of the lime.
Actually, the softening unit requires frequent maintenance and (too) often replacement of parts. I'd prefer the solution of the neighbouring village.
Thanks to Marlieske for hosting the Derelict Sunday challenge.