SoftPro Elite Water Softener: Best Water Softener for Efficient Regeneration

Hard water doesn’t tap you on the shoulder; it sneaks in and drains your wallet. When mineral-laced water runs through your home, expect creeping bills, dull fixtures, and appliances that tap out early. A typical family in a high-hardness region can see 20–30% higher water-heating costs and hundreds spent yearly on extra cleaners, shower descalers, and “miracle” solutions that never fix the root problem. That’s precisely why efficient regeneration isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the difference between a smart investment and an ongoing headache.

Meet the Santoros. Marco Santoro (38), an electrician, and his wife Lila (36), a surgical nurse, live outside New Braunfels, Texas—smack in the zone where water tests can spike over 20 GPG. Their well measured 26 GPG with 1.5 PPM iron and elevated TDS. Over two years, they burned through $1,780 in repairs: a half-clogged tankless heater, two ruined showerheads, and a dishwasher that left a chalky veil over everything. A magnetic “descaler” failed in weeks. They needed a permanent answer before installing a new gas water heater this fall.

This list is for you if:

You want a system that regenerates only when necessary, uses far less salt and water, and keeps household pressure steady; You’re tired of timer-based waste and dealer-dependence; You want proven engineering and lifetime-backed components.

Here’s the roadmap:

1 explains why SoftPro’s counter-current cleaning cuts salt and water waste to the bone. #2 shows how metered, demand-initiated operation lines up with real consumption (not a fixed clock). #3 covers resin technology that lasts up to 20 years and wrings more performance from every pound of salt. #4 tackles sizing and flow performance so you never run out of soft water—even when the whole house is running. #5 digs into diagnostics, reserve logic, and emergency cycles that protect you when life gets unpredictable. #6 locks in the long-term value: warranties, certifications, and a family-owned support model that stands behind you.

Let’s break it down—feature by feature—so you can choose the Best Water Softener System for efficient regeneration with confidence.

#1. Upflow Regeneration Mastery — SoftPro Elite’s Counter-Current Cycle Slashes Salt and Water Use

Efficient regeneration isn’t marketing fluff—it’s the physics of how brine meets resin. With the SoftPro Elite Water Softener, brine flows upward through the resin bed during cleaning, which expands and reclassifies the media for superior contact and mineral release. That design alone is a game-changer for homes battling 15+ grains per gallon (GPG).

In practical terms, SoftPro’s upflow approach uses the brine far more effectively than standard downflow models. Where typical units push salt solution top-to-bottom—often over-cleaning the top layer and under-cleaning the bottom—SoftPro drives the brine upward, through the most exhausted resin first. That translates to deep cleaning with minimal waste. Independent testing has documented 99%+ hardness reduction; in the field, that means soft water you can feel and lower monthly costs you can measure.

For the Santoros’ 26 GPG well, the SoftPro Elite dropped their detergent use sharply and eliminated the hazy film on glassware within a week. After the first month, their salt use was under a bag—less than what they used in a busy weekend with their old timer-based unit in a previous rental.

Competitor relevance: Traditional downflow units such as the Fleck 5600SXT are reliable workhorses but typically burn through more salt per cycle and flush more water in the process. Upflow regeneration is the fundamental upgrade that puts SoftPro ahead.

How Upflow Cleans Deeper with Less Brine

Upflow regeneration expands the resin bed 50–70% during backwash, clears trapped silt, and sends brine upward so it addresses the most depleted exchange sites first. The result: brine utilization efficiency well into the mid-90% range, compared to 60–70% with older methods. You’ll see fewer regenerations, less salt carried to the drain, and greater available capacity between cycles.

Why Contact Time Wins the Efficiency Battle

When brine rises through a loosened bed, it lingers where work is needed most. That contact time yields exceptional salt efficiency—often removing 4,000–5,000 grains per pound of salt—so you’re not paying for salt that never reaches the resin sites. For Marco and Lila, that meant fewer trips to the hardware store and real savings in the first quarter.

Water Waste Drops Right Along with Salt Waste

Downflow cycles can consume 50–80 gallons of water per regeneration. In an upflow design, backwash and rinse volumes are optimized, often dropping total cycle water use into the 18–30 gallon range. On a yearly basis, that saves hundreds of gallons—meaning lower bills and less strain on your well pump or municipal utility.

Pro Tip: Pair Upflow with Accurate Sizing

Upflow works best when the softener is sized correctly. Match grain capacity to your GPG and usage pattern so the system regenerates every 3–7 days. Proper sizing keeps efficiency high, protects resin lifespan, and ensures that legendary SoftPro smoothness at each faucet.

Key takeaway: Upflow isn’t just a feature; it’s the reason SoftPro Elite is the Best Water Softener for efficient regeneration.

#2. Demand-Initiated Precision — Smart Metering Regenerates Only When You’ve Actually Used Capacity

Why regenerate on Tuesday at 2 a.m. Just because a timer says so? The SoftPro Elite uses a demand-initiated, metered valve that measures gallons in real time, then triggers a cycle only when the resin is truly exhausted. This is where the serious savings stack up.

A digital control valve with a 4-line LCD touchpad shows gallons remaining, days since last cycle, and error diagnostics if something needs attention. Want to force a manual cycle? One touch. Going away for a week? Vacation mode lightly refreshes the media to prevent stagnation—no water or salt squandered.

When the Santoros hosted a weekend soccer team BBQ—back-to-back showers, laundry, and dishwashing—the metered logic accounted for the spike and regenerated at the right moment. During the slower weeks, it held off. That’s intelligent water management.

Competitor context: Many Whirlpool softeners rely heavily on time-based approaches that regenerate regardless of use. Great on paper, but real homes don’t run on fixed patterns. Metering aligns with reality and eliminates waste.

How Metering Protects Resin and Reduces Salt

The meter tracks every gallon that flows through the system. Once the pre-set capacity—based on your hardness, system size, and reserve setting—is reached, regeneration initiates. No more premature cycles caused by rigid timers. That preserves resin exchange sites and reduces “over-cleaning,” which consumes excess salt.

Vacation Mode: Set It and Genuinely Forget It

The SoftPro Elite’s vacation mode performs a brief, scheduled refresh if you’re away—typically once per week—so the resin remains sanitary and the brine tank stays in good order. It’s the smarter alternative to a full-blown regeneration when the house is empty.

Real-Time Diagnostics Save Headaches

From “gallons remaining” to time-to-clean estimates, the controller keeps you informed. If an injector or screen needs a rinse, an error code points you right to it. That keeps systems like the Santoros’ running smoothly without emergency service calls.

Pro Tip: Enter Accurate Hardness (GPG) at Setup

Program your exact GPG hardness so the meter calculates capacity precisely. If your water includes up to 3 PPM iron, account for that in settings or use fine mesh resin for higher iron capture. Accurate programming = predictable, efficient operation.

Bottom line: Demand-initiated regeneration is the heartbeat of SoftPro’s efficiency—and the backbone of your savings.

Resin is the engine of your softener. The SoftPro Elite uses premium 8% crosslink resin engineered to last up to 20 years—backed by design choices that reduce physical stress and keep the beads working like new. For wells with iron (like the Santoros’ 1.5 PPM), the fine mesh resin option delivers tighter capture and easier brine release during cleaning.

What makes that matter? Each resin bead contains millions of exchange sites that attract calcium and magnesium ions and release sodium ions in return. The more effectively you clean those sites—and the less abrasion they endure—the longer your system runs at near-new performance.

With SoftPro’s resin choices and upflow cleaning, you get maximum grain removal per pound of salt and extended intervals between media replacements. That’s efficiency you feel every day and see when you open your wallet.

How Cation Exchange Works—In Plain Language

During service, hard water passes over resin beads. Calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) swap places with sodium (Na⁺) held on the bead surface. Once most sites fill—usually around 85%—it’s time to regenerate. SoftPro’s counter-current brine flow targets these exhausted sites first, restoring full capacity fast and cleanly.

Crosslinking determines bead durability. At 8%, you get an ideal balance of capacity and toughness for most municipal and well water applications. Less crosslinking can wear out faster; more can sometimes reduce working capacity per pound of salt. In real homes like the Santoros’, the 8% formulation quietly outperforms for years.

Fine Mesh Resin for Iron-Burdened Wells

Smaller bead size increases surface area by roughly 40%, improving capture of hardness and low-level iron. During regeneration, upflow brine flow helps release these ions efficiently, preventing fouling that shortens media life. That keeps your system delivering 0–1 GPG water even with variable well quality.

Pro Tip: Use Resin Cleaner Annually

A quick annual resin cleaner keeps media pristine—especially in well-water homes. It’s inexpensive insurance for sustained performance and lower salt consumption year after year.

Takeaway: With better resin and smarter cleaning, SoftPro Elite turns salt into soft water with ruthless efficiency—year after year.

#4. Sizing and Flow You Can Feel — From 32K to 110K Grains and a Stable 15 GPM Service Flow

The right size makes all the difference. SoftPro Elite offers grain capacity options from 32K to 110K so you can match your people, usage, and hardness. Regenerations should ideally occur every 3–7 days—often the sweet spot for salt efficiency and steady pressure.

The system’s 15 GPM (gallons per minute) service flow—with peaks up to ~18 GPM—means multiple showers, a running dishwasher, and a laundry cycle can coexist without noticeable drop. Pressure loss through the softener typically sits around 3–5 PSI in standard homes. With 3/4" to 1" plumbing and the integrated bypass valve, installation is straightforward for DIYers or pros.

For the Santoros (two adults, two kids at 26 GPG), a 64K grain SoftPro balanced flow, capacity, and salt savings—plenty of headroom for those weekend spikes without triggering constant regenerations.

Quick Sizing Math You Can Trust

Daily grains to remove = people × 75 gallons × hardness (GPG). A family of four at 26 GPG uses roughly 4 × 75 × 26 = 7,800 grains/day. Target 3–6 days between regenerations for efficiency: 7,800 × 5 ≈ 39,000 grains usable capacity. A 64K unit (with real-world capacity after reserve) is spot-on, especially with iron in the water.

Flow That Keeps Pace with Real Life

With 15 GPM service flow, the SoftPro Elite powers through morning routines and dinner rush. Even with peak demands, the system’s internal path is engineered for minimal restriction. That means hot showers stay hot, and your tankless heater won’t “hunt” due to pressure dips.

Installation Footprint and Requirements

A mid-size system typically needs an 18" x 24" footprint and 60–72" of vertical clearance for salt loading. You’ll want a standard 110V outlet, a nearby drain, and 25–125 PSI inlet pressure (use a regulator above 80 PSI). Heather’s team at Quality Water Treatment (QWT) provides step-by-step install guides and videos.

Pro Tip: Don’t Oversize Blindly

Bigger isn’t always better. Oversized systems can push regenerations too far apart, allowing resin to carry high loads too long—reducing efficiency. Get the math right or talk to Jeremy at QWT for a tuning suggestion.

Result: Proper sizing delivers the flow you want and the low-cost operation you expect from the Best Water Softener.

#5. Smart Safeguards — Reserve Logic, Emergency Cycles, and Power-Loss Memory Keep You Covered

Life doesn’t follow a schedule, and neither should your water softener. The SoftPro Elite uses a lean reserve capacity—about 15%—vs. The 30% or more many legacy systems require. That keeps more of the resin working for you while still holding a safety margin for last-minute demands.

Drop below 3% remaining capacity and SoftPro can run a 15-minute emergency regeneration—just enough to get you through dinner, baths, and morning routines before a full cycle finishes overnight. If power blips during a storm, a self-charging capacitor keeps your settings safe for up to 48 hours. No reprogramming. No guessing.

For the Santoros, reserve logic and the quick-cycle feature proved their worth during a birthday sleepover—nine showers in twelve hours. SoftPro handled it without skipping a beat or reverting to hard water.

Lean Reserve = Higher Real-World Efficiency

Smarter control allows a 15% reserve instead of the bloated buffers of older designs. That means you use more of your softener’s actual capacity before regenerating—leading to longer intervals and lower salt bills without risking hard water breakthroughs.

Emergency Regeneration That Actually Helps

The 15-minute quick cycle isn’t a full clean; it’s a strategic top-off that restores just enough exchange sites to carry the home through a high-demand window. Then, at the scheduled time, the system completes a full, efficient regeneration. It’s the right fix at the right moment.

Power-Loss Protection and Diagnostics

The self-charging capacitor maintains your programming even if a breaker trips. softpro elite Meanwhile, built-in error codes and data screens point directly to any issue—injector cleaning, a drain line check, or a simple hardness setting tweak.

Pro Tip: Test Output Hardness Quarterly

A $10 test kit confirms the system is hitting 0–1 GPG. It’s a simple way to validate efficiency, catch a salt bridge early, or spot a setting that needs a nudge after household changes.

In short: Real intelligence delivers real savings—and ensures you never run out of soft water when you need it most.

#6. Long-Term Value — Lifetime Warranty, Lead-Free Certification, and Direct Family Support

What closes the loop on efficiency? Confidence. The SoftPro Elite carries a lifetime warranty on the valve and tanks, with a reputation backed by Quality Water Treatment (QWT) since 1990. Materials are certified lead-free under NSF 372 with IAPMO validation. That’s not just feel-good paperwork—it’s peace of mind that the system touching every tap in your home meets rigorous standards.

I built SoftPro to correct what I saw for decades: overpriced, timer-bound units and dealer networks that locked families into high service costs. Today, my son Jeremy sizes systems based on precise water data; my daughter Heather equips owners to install and maintain with confidence; and our team answers phones with real names, not ticket numbers.

When Marco and Lila asked about transferability for resale value, we had good news: SoftPro’s warranty goes with the house. That helped cement their decision—and it will help yours.

The Warranty That Means Something

Lifetime coverage on tanks and valve; 10 years on electronics. If a manufacturing defect shows up, we don’t play hot potato with third parties—you call us. That direct line speeds solutions and keeps your system efficient over the long haul.

Lead-Free and Lab-Backed

With NSF 372 lead-free compliance and materials safety vetted by IAPMO, you’re not guessing about what’s inside your system. Additionally, performance claims—like 99%+ hardness removal—are supported by independent testing, not just marketing copy.

Family-Owned Support Without the Runaround

No pushy upsells, no dealer-only parts. Just straightforward engineering, standard components, and direct support. The SoftPro Elite is built to be DIY-friendly, but we’re here at every step if you want a hand.

Pro Tip: Save Every Setup Note

Snap photos of your programming and hardness test card. If you ever call us, those details let us optimize your system even faster.

End result: Proven construction, transparent certifications, and real people behind the phone make SoftPro Elite the Best Water Softener System for the long haul.

Detailed Competitor Comparisons

SoftPro Elite vs Fleck 5600SXT — Regeneration Efficiency and Real-World Operating Cost

The Fleck 5600SXT is a respected, durable downflow platform—the issue is efficiency. Downflow regeneration typically consumes more salt (often 6–15 lbs per full cycle) and more water (50–80 gallons) because brine pushes through the least-exhausted resin first. The SoftPro Elite uses upflow regeneration to reverse that path, targeting the most depleted resin zones first and achieving far higher brine utilization—commonly 4,000–5,000 grains removed per pound of salt with total cycle water use often under 30 gallons.

In actual homes, that translates to longer intervals between regenerations, leaner reserve requirements (about 15% for SoftPro vs larger buffers on many legacy designs), and visibly reduced salt hauling. For the Santoros, this meant one bag of salt lasting weeks at 26 GPG, even with kids’ bath nights and a tankless heater in the mix. Installation is straightforward on both platforms; however, SoftPro’s controller provides more user-facing diagnostics and vacation settings, simplifying maintenance.

Over a 5–10 year horizon, SoftPro’s lower salt and water consumption cut total cost of ownership by four figures for the Santoros. With lifetime valve and tank coverage and family-backed support, SoftPro’s added efficiency is worth every single penny.

SoftPro Elite vs Whirlpool Timer-Based Softeners — Metered Intelligence vs Scheduled Waste

Many Whirlpool residential softeners rely on time-clock logic that triggers regeneration at set intervals, whether capacity is used or not. That can lead to cycles after low-usage days (wasteful) or lagging performance when usage surges (poor timing). The SoftPro Elite reads your water use via a metered valve and regenerates only when necessary—maximizing resin capacity, cutting salt use dramatically, and shrinking water waste tied to unnecessary cycles.

Programming on SoftPro is designed for real homes: gallons remaining shown on the LCD touchpad, days since last cycle, and manual regen if you need it. Vacation mode refreshes the bed lightly to prevent stagnation instead of running full cycles in an empty house. For the Santoros, weekend surges triggered perfectly timed regenerations; slow midweeks did not. The result: steady soft water, fewer regenerations, and predictable costs.

Over time, metered logic curbs salt buying, drops rinse volumes, and protects resin life. When I advise homeowners who want the Best Water Softener with premium regeneration efficiency, SoftPro’s demand-driven control is worth every single penny.

FAQs

1) How does SoftPro Elite’s upflow regeneration save up to 75% on salt compared to traditional downflow softeners?

SoftPro’s upflow regeneration sends brine upward through the resin bed, directly targeting the most depleted areas first. That focused cleaning uses the salt solution more completely, avoiding the over-cleaning that happens in downflow systems where brine hits fresher resin first. In the lab, this translates to brine utilization in the mid-90% range and 4,000–5,000 grains removed per pound of salt. In practice, families like the Santoros cut salt trips dramatically, even at 26 GPG. Compared head-to-head with downflow models like the Fleck 5600SXT, SoftPro typically uses far fewer pounds of salt and far fewer gallons of water per cycle. My recommendation: if your goal is the Best Water Softener for efficient regeneration, upflow is the difference-maker you can measure on your receipts.

2) What grain capacity do I need for a family of four with 18 GPG hard water?

Use this quick calculation: people × 75 gallons × GPG = daily grains. Four people × 75 × 18 = 5,400 grains/day. Target regenerations every 4–6 days for top efficiency: 5,400 × 5 ≈ 27,000 grains usable capacity between cycles. A 48K SoftPro Elite is ideal in many of these cases, especially if you want headroom for guests or laundry surges. If you run a large soaking tub or have a high-flow shower system, step to 64K. The Santoros needed 64K at 26 GPG with kids and a tankless heater—no pressure dips and long salt intervals. When in doubt, call Jeremy at QWT with your exact GPG and fixtures list.

3) Can SoftPro Elite handle iron in addition to hardness minerals?

Yes—up to 3 PPM of clear-water iron. The SoftPro Elite’s resin, especially the fine mesh option, captures low-level iron while removing calcium and magnesium. During regeneration, upflow brine effectively releases trapped iron to the drain, helping to prevent fouling. If your iron runs above 3 PPM or is tied up with tannins, we’ll pair the Elite with pre-treatment tailored to your well chemistry. The Santoros measured 1.5 PPM, and the fine mesh configuration kept their fixtures spotless and their tub free of orange streaks. My guidance: test iron precisely, select fine mesh when appropriate, and maintain annual resin cleaning for long-term performance.

4) Can I install SoftPro Elite myself, or do I need a professional plumber?

Many owners DIY the installation thanks to clear guides, quick-connect fittings, and an integrated bypass valve. You’ll need basic plumbing skills to cut into the main line, confirm flow direction, and run a drain. A 110V outlet and a nearby floor drain or standpipe are typical requirements. If you prefer pro help, that’s fine too—expect $300–$600 for most installs. With Heather’s support resources and QWT videos, the Santoros completed their install over a weekend, checked for leaks, programmed 26 GPG, and initiated a manual regeneration to bring the system online. My advice: confirm code requirements (like backflow devices) before you begin.

5) What space requirements should I plan for installation?

For a 48K–64K SoftPro Elite, plan roughly an 18" x 24" footprint and 60–72" of vertical clearance for salt loading and service access. Make sure the drain is within 20 feet for gravity flow (or use a small pump if needed), provide a GFCI-protected 110V outlet, and verify incoming pressure sits between 25–125 PSI (regulate above 80 PSI). Keep the brine tank accessible to prevent salt bridging and to simplify top-offs. The Santoros tucked their system next to the water heater, with straightforward drain routing to the nearby utility sink—clean, code-compliant, and easy to service.

6) How often do I need to add salt to the brine tank?

It depends on hardness, family size, and system size. With SoftPro Elite’s upflow efficiency and demand-initiated control, most families add salt monthly or even less frequently. Maintain the salt level a few inches above the water line, and avoid overfilling. Under 20 GPG, a 48K unit can run weeks on a single bag. At 26 GPG, the Santoros refilled about every 4–6 weeks on a 64K system. Tip: check for salt bridges monthly and break them up if you see crusting—consistent salt contact with brine water is critical for accurate dosing.

7) What is the lifespan of the resin?

With SoftPro Elite and routine care, the ion exchange resin often lasts 15–20 years. Upflow cleaning reduces mechanical stress and abrasion, while better brine utilization prevents under-cleaned pockets that accelerate wear. If your water contains iron, opt for fine mesh resin and use an annual resin cleaner—simple steps that further extend service life. When resin eventually needs replacement, it’s a manageable media swap, not a full system replacement. The Santoros plan a quick annual resin clean and expect decades of low-maintenance service.

8) What’s the total cost of ownership over 10 years?

For most homes, a SoftPro Elite totals far less than timer-based or inefficient downflow alternatives. Expect $1,200–$2,800 for the system depending on grain capacity; $0–$600 for installation (DIY vs pro); approximately $60–$120 annually for salt with upflow efficiency (vs $180–$400 for downflow); and $25–$40 in water costs due to lower regeneration waste. Over 10 years, savings can easily hit $1,200–$2,500 vs traditional designs. Add in avoided appliance damage (water heaters, dishwashers, shower valves), and the value widens. For the Santoros, the math was obvious within the first quarter as salt and maintenance bills shrank.

9) How much will I save on salt annually?

Savings vary by hardness and usage, but SoftPro Elite’s upflow regeneration consistently cuts salt consumption dramatically—often down to a third of what timer-based or older downflow systems use. If you previously spent $240 a year on salt, it’s realistic to see that trimmed to double digits under similar water conditions with SoftPro. The Santoros’ first-year salt purchases were a fraction of what they expected at 26 GPG because the system regenerated less frequently and with smaller doses. Enter your exact GPG and household size into the controller—accuracy boosts savings.

10) How does SoftPro Elite compare to Fleck 5600SXT?

Fleck 5600SXT is durable, but it’s generally a downflow platform that uses more salt and water per cycle. SoftPro Elite’s upflow regeneration increases brine contact efficiency, reduces rinse volumes, and runs a tighter 15% reserve. The metered valve triggers cleaning based on actual usage, while the controller provides richer diagnostics and an auto-refresh vacation mode. Over time, SoftPro’s salt-and-water savings reduce total ownership costs substantially, all under a lifetime valve and tank warranty. For homeowners prioritizing regeneration efficiency—the core of real-world savings—SoftPro takes the lead.

11) Is SoftPro Elite better than Culligan systems?

Culligan builds capable equipment, but many models are tied to dealer networks for programming, parts, and routine service. SoftPro Elite is designed for owner control: standard industry components, DIY-friendly installation, and direct support from our family team at QWT. The upflow regeneration and demand-initiated logic reduce salt and water waste without relying on dealer visits. For the Santoros—cost-conscious and handy—SoftPro provided top-tier performance and independence. If you want efficient regeneration paired with transparent support, SoftPro is hard to beat.

12) Will SoftPro Elite work with extremely hard water (25+ GPG)?

Absolutely—just size it correctly. For 25–30 GPG with 4–5 people, a 64K–80K SoftPro is typically right. Program the exact hardness (and account for up to 3 PPM iron if present), and let the metered valve and upflow regeneration do the heavy lifting. Expect 3–6 days between cycles, steady pressure at 15 GPM service flow, and minimal salt use per regeneration. The Santoros’ 26 GPG well was fully tamed with a 64K unit, fine mesh resin, and proper settings. For anything beyond 3 PPM iron or special contaminants, we’ll recommend pre-treatment and dial everything in for peak efficiency.

Final Word from Craig “The Water Guy” Phillips

Hard water tries to win by a thousand small cuts: slower heaters, crusty fixtures, itchy skin, and endless refilling of the salt bin. The SoftPro Elite flips that script with upflow regeneration, metered precision, long-life ion exchange resin, and smart safeguards like lean reserve logic and emergency regen. Add in NSF 372 lead-free compliance, IAPMO materials validation, and a lifetime-backed valve and tanks—and you’re looking at a system engineered for measurable savings and everyday comfort.

From my family to yours—Jeremy making sure the sizing is spot-on, Heather guiding your install, and me standing behind the engineering—SoftPro Elite exists to deliver efficiency without the runaround. For the Santoros in Texas and for you at home, this is the Best Water Softener for Efficient Regeneration, and yes, worth every single penny.

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Pub: 13 Mar 2026 20:06 UTC

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