Trouble in Quebec

Quebec's chemistry bigwigs are sounding the alarm about some shady characters peddling free water tests. These folks are going around the province, claiming to be water experts and scaring homeowners into buying pricey purification systems they don't need.

Happy Monday!

Well, maybe not for some of the athletes who jumped into the River Seine. We said that Paris had an Olympic-Sized Cleanup on their hands, and it sounds like they didn’t quite get the job done.

There’s a variety of gut-wrenching (literally) stories, and ESPN did a great retrospective of the whole thing with Was using the River Seine river as a venue worth it?

Alright, now for the real news.

Trouble in Quebec

Quebec's chemistry bigwigs are sounding the alarm about some shady characters peddling free water tests. These folks are going around the province, claiming to be water experts and scaring homeowners into buying pricey purification systems they don't need. The head honcho at the Ordre des chimistes (Quebec's order of chemists) says these scammers are using some pretty sketchy tactics. They're mostly targeting areas with boil-water notices or rural communities without city water. The article says that in order to protect themselves, homeowners should be wary of online ads and door-to-door salespeople offering water tests. Instead, they should use services from accredited laboratories listed on the Environment Ministry's website.

Time Magazine: Do You Really Need a Water Filter?

Home water filtration recently made it to the big stage with a recent article in Time magazine. The piece highlights how various contaminants can sneak into tap water, driving about 40% of U.S. homes to use filters, and emphasizes how important professional water testing is. It covers a range of filtration methods, from basic pitcher filters to more advanced systems like reverse osmosis, UV treatment, and whole-house solutions. The piece also touches on microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration technologies, explaining their varying effectiveness against different contaminants. And finally, they mention the importance of NSF, WQA, and IAPMO certifications when recommending products.

5 Reasons to Consider PVDF Tubing (Sponsored)

Let's talk about a tubing option that might just be your next go-to: PVDF (aka Kynar®). Here's why it's catching attention:

  • 🧪 Chemical Warrior: PVDF laughs in the face of harsh chemicals. Acids, bases, solvents? No sweat. Perfect for those tough water treatment scenarios.

  • 🔬 Purity Champion: When contamination is a no-go, PVDF steps up. It doesn't leach, keeping your treated water pristine.

  • 🌡️ Temperature Trooper: From chilly -40°F to a toasty 180°F, PVDF keeps its cool (or heat). Ideal for those projects with temperature swings.

  • ☀️ Outdoor Ace: UV rays and radiation don't stand a chance. PVDF holds up where other materials might falter.

  • 💪 Durability King: Strong and impact-resistant, it's built to last. That could mean fewer replacements and happier clients.

Now for the kicker: Specialty Sales LLC & AM Products stocks PVDF/Kynar® tubing in sizes from 1/8" to 1/2" O.D.

Next time you're tackling a project that needs that extra edge, consider giving PVDF a shot. Your future self might thank you.

Questions? Give your Specialty Sales rep a shout, or just reply to this email and we’ll connect you!

AWWA’s Public Perceptions of Tap Water

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently teamed up with Morning Consult to ask over 2,000 people about the stuff coming out of their faucets. WaterWorld picked this up and wrote about the key takeaways:

  1. Most people (72%) think their tap water is safe to drink. Not bad!

  2. When water companies chat more with their customers, people tend to think their water's getting better.

  3. For those who don't trust their water utilities, the wishlist is: better water quality, improved pipes, and cheaper bills (no surprises there).

  4. About 60% of people say their tap water quality is pretty good (or better).

  5. Paying water bills can be tough. One in three people struggle to pay on time.

  6. Just over half of folks know their water gets tested often. But if the utility sends out info, more people are in the know.

  7. When it comes to trusting info about water, people look to their water utility first, then scientists, and local governments.

Water Treatment Acquisitions

Flotilla Partners just purchased Water Treatment Technologies of Florida (WTT). This is their eighth buy since kicking off in January 2023, according to Water Technology. WTT's been around since 2004, setting up shop near Orlando and taking care of homes and businesses all over Central Florida. This deal helps Flotilla get a bigger slice of the pie in booming Florida spots like Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. A portfolio company of a Tampa-based private equity firm, Flotilla's all about water treatment across the Southeast.

MORE: Filtration+Separation released an overview of all mergers and acquisitions in Q2

What else is happening:

Ta-ta for now!

-Kevin