Water Treatment in New Builds

Water Treatment in New Builds

The team at R2J Chemical Services is making a case that could change how water treaters approach commercial construction. The company argues that water quality shouldn't be pushed to the bottom of construction budgets but should be a priority from day one, pointing out a lesson contractors learn the hard way: adding water treatment systems later is both expensive and disruptive, while untreated water can wreak havoc on boilers, chillers, and HVAC systems from scale buildup and pipes failing early. R2J highlights four reasons to add treatment early: longer-lasting systems through corrosion control and scale prevention, energy savings from clean heat exchangers that don't have to work as hard, meeting health and safety rules like ASHRAE 188 and EPA guidelines, and earning LEED points through water conservation and smart monitoring. The company is calling water treatment a smart investment that helps commercial buildings run better, last longer, and meet today's environmental standards.

$900m from PFAS Settlements

Smart Water Magazine reports that the first wave of cash from the massive $6 billion PFAS settlement with 3M and DuPont is finally hitting water providers' bank accounts, with about $900 million being distributed in this initial round. The payouts represent roughly 20% of total awards from the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) litigation, which covers more than 280 public agencies and water systems that were stuck with PFAS cleanup costs. SL Environmental Law Group, which represented many of the affected utilities, emphasizes that these settlements help ensure "PFAS manufacturers—not utilities and their ratepayers" bear the cost of contamination cleanup. The legal groundwork is opening doors for future claims from other affected entities including wastewater systems, airports, landfills, and fire training facilities, while water systems that discovered PFAS contamination after June 2023 still have until 2026 to file claims.

How Does Ion Exchange Work?

EAI Water is expanding on the basics with a technical deep dive into ion exchange technology and how water softening actually works at the molecular level. The team breaks down how resin beads swap problematic ions like calcium and magnesium for more acceptable sodium or hydrogen ions, walking through the entire process from water entering the resin bed to the regeneration cycles. EAI gets pretty technical with it, covering everything from functional groups to polymer matrices, while also positioning themselves as the experts who can design "site-specific ion exchange systems that address your unique water challenges." The piece emphasizes the importance of proper resin selection, noting that strong acid cation resins work across broad pH ranges while weak acid cation resins are more selective for specific applications.

Plumber Helps Local Veteran Resident

WECT News out of Wilmington, North Carolina reports on how local water treatment companies can make a real difference in their communities while supporting customers who need help most. DiMone-Parlier Plumbing and Irrigation stepped up after watching a news story about a Vietnam veteran whose private well water smelled rotten, stained clothes, and may have contributed to his wife's kidney problems that required surgery.

The Wilmington-based company showed up the next day and installed a reverse osmosis system under the resident’s kitchen sink at no charge (a system that typically costs hundreds of dollars and takes about two hours to install). Brandon Holt, the company's chief operating officer, said they're "always looking for ways to give back to the community" and noted the veteran angle made it even more meaningful. The story highlights broader water quality issues plaguing Brunswick County, where communities have been pushing county commissioners for better responses to PFAS contamination and subpar water quality.

What else is happening:

• US Water Systems now private labels Canopus Water’s LED based UV-C disinfection systems for their best selling All American RO System (thank you to reader Samir for the heads up!)

• PA-based Suburban Water Technology explains how to DIY install a water softener, but ends up recommending professional services in the end

• Complete Water congratulates one of their techs on completing the DHP RO Specialist I course, emphasizing their core value of growth and learning