Without specifics I can only speak in generalities...

If a co-op or town is supplying water to a community then I believe they are responsible for the water meeting minimum EPA potability requirements. That does not include removing iron or hardness only bacteria and nitrates and such that would make the water unsafe for human consumption.

Sounds like your softener is too small for the water conditions and water usage and with iron and no routine maintenance the resin is either depleted or iron fouled.

With up to 12 people the softener is GROSSLY undersized.

If the softener is a timer model it would never keep up with the required treatment (regeneration) cycles for that many people. If the softener is an on demand design then with 12 people it would be regenerating almost every day and that's where your salt is going.

If the softener is only treating the hot water (water heater) then the problem water is still effecting every pipe, appliance, and fixture where there is cold water. The hot water only approach is too common with old timers or where a proper whole house install would be more complicated and the homeowner is offered a less costly installation solution which most favor. IMO hot only softening is a waste of money.

It doesn't sound like you've been getting all or any of the benefits of soft water from the day the softener was installed.

I can't find a name on my water softener. The bottom is yellowish and the top control is black and digital.

Will it be expensive to change the softener from hot water to all the water in the house? If I do this, will I need to add some type of filtration system on the kitchen sink (for drinking and watering plants)?

Also, I found the water report from our water company. All it shows is types of contaminants and the levels. I'll have to have the water tested for hardness.

Thanks!

Depends on how your home is plumbed.

"...will I need to add some type of filtration system on the kitchen sink (for drinking and watering plants)?"

With 22 grain hard water and possibly iron you'll probably want to install an under the kitchen sink RO for drinking, cooking, and making ice cubes.

As far as watering plants you can use KCl to regenerate your softener and that water won't kill plants. KCl is more expensive than NaCl and that might put you off.

Really need to see the water report and hardness test. Brown stains usually indicate iron.

I have a plumber coming this week to tell me how much it will cost to have my softener converted to all the water in the house. I mentioned the KC1 and he said I may need to change something in the water softener to use this type of salt or to get a new softener? Does this seem right?

Also, if I get a RO for my drinking water, can I set it up to come through the regular kitchen sink faucet?

Thanks again for all your help.

Any water softener can use either NaCl or KCl as a regenerant but minor corrections to the settings may need to be made.

Under sink RO units dispense water through a new and separate faucet that will be added to the sink.

By all means get an estimate on the cost to change the softener so it services the entire house.

Since we still don't know what brand and size softener you have specific help can't be given. We don't know that the softener is working properly.

We need to identify the softener you have and what size it is.

From what you've posted, it may make more sense to replace the softener with one that is correctly sized and correctly plumbed. For that, seek out a local independent water treatment professional and avoid plumbers.