TWiP (This Week in PFAS)

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) aka “forever chemicals” have dominated the headlines lately, and for good reason.

Author

Kevin
July 31, 2023

Water Treats, A Specialty Sales LLC & AM Products Newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of Water Treats! Your fresh source for the week's essential water treatment updates.

So, why did we start this? We recognized a need for a water treatment digest that's not only insightful but also effortlessly readable. Our mission? Deliver weekly highlights in a crisp, engaging manner, ensuring you actually look forward to staying in the loop.

Let’s get into it!

TWiP (This Week in PFAS)

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) aka “forever chemicals” have dominated the headlines lately, and for good reason. In late June, chemical company 3M reached a $10.3 billion agreement to resolve pollution claims around forever chemicals. Then, last month the US Geological Survey dropped a study showing that their model suggests PFAS is in 45% of all US drinking water samples. Not great stuff.

Just look at the Google Trends chart for “Forever Chemicals” since the start of last year:

What can we do? EWG, protectors of the pure pour, dropped their latest guide, spotlighting top-tier water filters that can fight the good fight against PFAS chemicals. Four different filters boasted nearly 100% PFAS removal and some nifty perks, from longer filter lifespans to a lighter hit on your wallet. If you're looking to shield households from PFAS-tainted tap, these might just be your next best friends.

Culligan Unveils Cullie: AI Meets Water Expertise

Culligan Water is diving into the digital age with "Cullie," their debut AI WaterBot. Cullie, powered by ChatGPT's chat prowess, offers round-the-clock educational support on the Culligan website. But it's not just about quenching your water-related questions—Cullie also connects customers with the expert Culligan crew for deeper assistance. We’re interested to see how this pans out and if this will pave the way for more AI in our industry.

“Tesla of Water” Receives Funding

US-based water treatment firm GAST Clearwater just secured a major splash of funding from Draper Associates, the same hands that once backed heavyweights like Tesla and SpaceX. With cutting-edge technologies, some that literally shock water into submission, it’s no wonder they’ve been dubbed the "Tesla of Water". This flow of investments isn't just a random ripple—recently, even the United Nations shone a spotlight on water treatment. While GAST Clearwater dreams big with ventures like artificial beaches and tackling PFAS treatment, it's clear both they and Draper Associates share the same vision: quenching the world's thirst with Water for Mankind™.

That’s it for this week! See you next Monday.

-Kevin