Abstract: A by-pass water softener system including a water softener made from a tube and two end caps, enclosing a charge of ion-exchange resin. A port passes through each end cap. One port is connectible to a hose which leads to a water distributor such as a hand-held shower head. The other port is connected to a diverter valve which selectively directs water from a water supply either to some other water distributor such as a wall-mounted shower head, or to a hose which leads to the other port of the water softener. A suspension device is provided to suspend the water softener, perhaps from the wall of a shower stall.