Culligan in the U.P.

Culligan in the U.P.

Michigan-based Daily Press recently covered Culligan's water treatment operations in the Upper Peninsula, something that’s been around since 1941. Now under the local leadership of Robert and Theresa Gunville, and with a boost from Culligan International since their 2023 buyout, the business is thriving. They offer free water tests and a variety of options for softening and filtering water, serving everything from residential homes to local eateries. The article delves into the company's roots, starting with Emmett Culligan's early experiments in the '30s and leading up to their groundbreaking introduction of the first home reverse osmosis system in the '60s. It also tips its hat to their catchy “Hey, Culligan Man!” ads in a trip down memory lane.

Kids’ Water Filtration Projects

For your weekly dose of wholesome news, fifth graders at Westfield Intermediate School in Massachusetts got to show off their water filter projects to some real-life pros in the water treatment world. These kids used materials like coffee filters, charcoal, and sand to make filters that turn dirty water clean. They all gathered at their school and put their filters to the test, pouring muddy water through them and chatting about how they built them with experts like city engineers and water treatment folks. The pros were really impressed, giving the kids thumbs up for their hard work and smarts. This cool school project was not only a fun day but also a great way for these young students to get hands-on with science and see their ideas in action.

Water Softener Deep Dive

The Family Handyman recently did a deep dive on water softeners and while some of it may seem obvious, it does cover some interesting details. The article breaks down the costs of water softeners, pointing out that you can snag a basic model for around $500, while the fancier setups might run you up to $3,000. And, with professional help, the price could soar to $11,000. The article talks through the different types of softeners: salt-based ones for tackling major hard water troubles, salt-free versions for folks watching their sodium, and reverse osmosis systems for cleaning out a bunch of different contaminants. Plus, it throws in some tips on upkeep, like opting for salt pellets over crystals because they're purer and last longer.

What else is happening:

• A recent article from down under covers how Australia is tackling PFAS, and how their guidelines allow “140 times more PFOA in drinking water” than the U.S.

• In Maine, hundreds of households are essentially in PFAS limbo with well water that is considered too contaminated to drink, but not contaminated enough to qualify for state money

• Reynolds Water Conditioning, Michigan’s “Oldest Water Treatment Company”, released their guide for water softening and iron filtration for homes with well water

• New Jersey-based Majewski Plumbing now provides whole-house water filtration systems. MORE: Frank Majewski talks about his background and why he started Majewski Plumbing (1 min. watch)