Free vs Laboratory Water Tests

Long Island Clean Water published a transparent guide clarifying what their free water tests can and can't detect, while offering to arrange paid laboratory testing for customers who need deeper answers. The company explains that their complimentary in-home analysis covers common issues like hardness, pH, chlorine, iron, and sulfur odors, but contaminants like PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, nitrates, lead, arsenic, and bacteria require certified lab equipment that field tests simply can't provide. President Mark Shmidt notes the company doesn't profit from lab work, passing along only the laboratory's actual cost to customers who want more comprehensive testing. This matters particularly for Long Island residents since the region draws nearly all its drinking water from a single sole-source aquifer, meaning contamination anywhere can eventually reach local taps. The company positions their free test as a smart starting point that can reveal whether deeper laboratory analysis is worth pursuing, rather than pushing every customer toward expensive testing upfront.

WQA President Greg Reyneke published an article explaining how state Right to Repair laws could affect water treatment dealers, even though the industry wasn't directly tested in a recent report. He points to a study that found most household appliances scored poorly on repair access in states where these laws are already active. Reyneke notes that while water treatment equipment wasn't part of that study, the laws don't exclude softeners, whole-house filters, or point-of-use systems, so dealers in these states already need to comply. He argues the industry is actually in decent shape since equipment like water softeners was built for easy repair from the start, with standard parts and a long service life. Still, he flags some gaps like inconsistent documentation, parts that only flow through authorized dealers instead of also reaching customers and independent techs, and warranty language that requires OEM parts only. His main advice is to stop relying on "use us or lose your warranty" and instead lean on real expertise as the reason customers should choose a professional dealer.

Hackaday, a playful hacking website, covered a DIY project where developer Tomasz Wasilczyk figured out how his Waterdrop G3P600 smart faucet talks to its reverse osmosis unit, opening up new smart home options. He discovered the four-pin cable connecting the faucet to the unit sends useful data like filter health, water quality, pump status, and temperature. Wasilczyk built a custom circuit board to tap into this information and connected the system to his smart home setup for automated monitoring. And in typical DIY fashion, he blew a fuse along the way by accidentally using the wrong voltage. This project shows there's potentially real demand for better smart home integration with water treatment systems, and reveals that manufacturers are already collecting useful data (like filter health and pump performance) that could help with maintenance.

WCP Online profiled Norma Lara, president of SoCal Water Solutions and recipient of the WQA's 2026 Regent Award for her industry contributions and community work. Lara entered water treatment in 1998, later starting her own business in 2003 and growing it to two California storefronts with ten employees. What stands out is her deep community involvement: she's worked with California's SAFER program since 2019 to bring safe drinking water to underserved communities, sometimes serving households where residents had never seen clean water flow from their taps. Lara connects this work to her late father's legacy in public health. She also serves as vice president of the Pacific Water Quality Association and WQA board member, participating in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Lara can be found mentoring the next generation, noting that only 7% of contracting licenses are held by women, and hosting community events at her office space to support other women-owned businesses.