Water softeners vs water filters?

Softeners make the water less abrasive and purifiers filter the water out. I go to college in a town where the water has failed inspection the past 4 years. The water is absolutely gross so I went through this thing before and bought filters. I have a Brita pitcher and I love it and my girlfriend has a Pur water purifier on her sink tap and it works very nicely as well. So as far as brands, either is great, its just a matter of what type of filter to buy.