A Garbage Can and Missile Silos

My house, although not in the "boondocks", is in a part of town where there is no city water or sewer service.  Thus, we have well water and a septic tank.  This is quite typical of the city where I live.  It sounded quite easy when a friend explained what I have to do to maintain my well water.  I just have to use a softener and add salt to it about every 2 to 3 months, depending on usage. 

The softener is in the garage and at first sight, it looks like a garbage can and 3 missile silos.

I really don't understand how it all works, except that I have to add three 40 pound bags of salt to the "garbage can" and I have water. 

Needless to say, lugging three 40 pound bags and then lifting them up to the "garbage can" is as back breaking as any weeding I have to do.  And try as I may to conserve water, the salt dissolves at the same rate either way. 

I won't drink the water.  I'm horrified to even shower in it everyday.  I have a filter system under the kitchen sink that provides "reverse osmosis" water (I haven't a clue) that is supposed to be drinkable water.  Still, I buy gallon jugs of water that I have to lug and lift into a water cooler.

Life used to be a lot easier back in New York when all I had to do was turn on the tap and drink!  Now a great deal of my time is spent schlepping, lugging, lifting and carrying. 

So far, I haven't had to deal with any issues with the septic tank and from what I understand, it is the most unpleasant of all unpleasant experiences.  So, I keep my fingers crossed.