Boiling Away Microplastics

Boiling Away Microplastics

A tried and true water treatment method that's as old as time itself—boiling water—might just be the new way to tackle microplastics. A recent study in China discovered that when boiling hard tap water, which is full of minerals, calcium carbonate forms and wraps around the microplastics, making it easier to catch them with something as simple as a coffee filter. This method can slash the microplastics in hard water by up to 90%. And for soft water, the reduction is about 25%. Microplastics are not great for our health, messing with our gut and possibly leading to other health issues.

Fortune Brands Acquires SpringWell

Fortune Brands Innovations recently acquired SpringWell Water Filtration Systems, giving us a peek at the financial side of things in the home water treatment industry. SpringWell, known for its easy-to-install water softeners and filters, has been growing fast (over 10% annually) since it started in 2018. Fortune Brands paid about $105 million for the business, around $92 million after tax benefits. This move may end up being a big deal for Fortune Brands because they can now expand into “whole home water ecosystem enabled by smart, connected products.” This acquisition could change the water treatment industry, offering new opportunities for businesses and customers alike.

WQA Conference 2024 (Sponsored)

Tyler & Darrin will be at the WQA Convention in Orlando this week and we would love to see YOU at our booth! The team will be there Tuesday through Thursday.

Someone say free YETI? The first visitor to ask us about "Water Treats" will get a FREE Specialty Sales YETI tumbler.

Bacteria Tackles Medication Pollution in Water

MIT Technology Review released an article that dives into how certain bacteria are turning out to be unsung heroes in the fight to clean our water supplies, by breaking down unwanted medications like metformin, a common diabetes treatment. It's important because tons of this drug end up in our water after people have taken it, and that's not great for the environment.

This isn't anything new; bacteria have a history of adapting to consume pollutants, like a weed killer that used to stick around in soil for ages. The article highlights a big issue: our water is getting filled with micro-pollutants from medicines and beauty products, and our current water treatment systems aren't fully equipped to deal with them. There are some advanced technologies that could do a better job, but they're pricey and not yet required by law in the US. However, Europe is taking steps to make sure these pollutants are removed from water by 2045, with the companies that make these products footing most of the bill.

Do We Still Need Salespeople?

Kelly Thompson, past chair and a current member of the WQA Professional Certification Committee and owner of Moti-Vitality, a water treatment industry support company, writes about how the sales landscape in the water treatment industry has shifted since the pandemic hit. Thompson argues that yes, salespeople are still vital, but their approach needs to change. With COVID-19 making traditional face-to-face sales tough, sales pros had to get creative, like doing video calls or relying on service techs to make sales. Thompson thinks this could actually be a good thing, weeding out the bad apples in sales and pushing the rest to focus more on service and building trust. He also stresses the importance of being well-informed and certified, to fight against misinformation in the industry.

What else is happening:

• Bobvila.com, “the most trusted name in home improvement”, writes about the cost of installing a whole-house RO system

• Students in India create sustainable water filter and distillation model using stones, sand, charcoal, and cotton

• Watersprint launches new family of whole-home water purifiers, Purify POE

• Enpress releases its new PIONEER PF, a new cartridge filtration solution for removing forever chemicals from drinking water

• Independent Water Service, Inc. of Central Washington asks and answers: When do you need a professional water analysis?

• Family-owned Countryside Water writes about how RO filtration is great for pet and plant health