If your business needs quality water, you might be thinking about getting a water filtration system installed at your business. Today, we interview Scott Stirrup of EcoWater of Atlanta, who has been providing water filtration units for Atlanta businesses for the last 8 years. We asked Scott for some tips for our readers for choosing a company to install a water filtration system at their business.
Let’s dive in and get started.
Why did you select EcoWater of all of the water treatment manufacturers to represent?
There are many brands of water filtration system to represent. We were curious about why Scott chose EcoWater. “There are many different water filter manufacturers out there,” Scott said. “[But] the majority of them are made in China. EcoWater products are made right here in America. I liked the idea of creating my business around American-made products. Plus, I believe it is a better product. They have been in business since 1925. That shows reliability and that they stand behind their product. They’re also owned by Berkshire Hathaway. With Warren Buffet and all of those smart people perfecting the water filter technology, I figured how can you go wrong?”
What are some of the biggest water concerns Atlanta business owners face?
What’s the deal with the water in Atlanta? Scott told us that, overall, we have good water here in Atlanta. “Our local water sources here in the greater Atlanta area include Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and the Chattahoochee River,” he said. “Water is a universal solvent. This means that everything it touches will carry away with it.” That means that pollution, prescription drugs, and commercial run-off all affect the water that we drink, bathe in, and cook with.
“We have a moderately hard water issue here in this area,” Scott said. We asked Scott why business owners should be concerned about their water. He answered, “Two reasons: chlorine and moderately hard water issues.”
Let’s take these one at a time.
First, let’s chat about chlorine. Thankfully, we have chlorine added to our water here in the United States. This provides us with some of the safest drinking water in the world. Chlorine kills all the dangerous bacteria that can make us really sick. However, many people are concerned with the health risks of drinking chlorinated water. Scott made it a point to say that he never stoops to scare tactics to get a new customer.
The truth is that most people don’t like the taste of chlorine in their water, juice, coffee, or tea. That’s why many businesses opt to invest in a commercial water filtration system that removes chlorine from the water. For example, restaurants, taverns, sports bars, and coffee shops want their customers to come back because of how good the drinks taste. To remain competitive, the hospitality industry uses filtered water every day. You might immediately notice the difference when you order a glass of water that wasn’t filtered at a restaurant.
Now let’s talk about the level of water hardness here in the greater Atlanta area. Scott told us that moderately hard water causes spotting on glasses, dishes, forks, spoons and knives. This affects all of the great restaurants, cafes, pubs, and sports bars in Atlanta. After all, we want to eat off of clean dishes and drink out of clean glasses, right? Spots like these are bad for business in the hospitality industry. Finding a dirty fork or glass might be a complete turn-off.
Speaking of the hospitality industry, did you know that filtered water causes hotel linens, sheets, and towels to last longer? Plus, your guests will enjoy softer towels and cleaner hair. Many places report that they also save on chemicals, detergents, and coffee and other beverages made from concentrate.
But the hospitality industry isn’t the only one concerned about hard water.
What industries use water filtration systems and why?
Scott told us that car washes are also prime candidates for using water filtration systems. “Imagine spending $12 on a car wash only to see water spots or a white film on your car’s paint,” he said. You’d never go back again, would you?
Car washes depend on repeat customers that come back each week. That means that auto detailers, car dealerships, and car washes that want to impress their clients should be concerned about moderately hard water spots too. Another benefit to car wash owners is that when the water is filtered, it means they won’t need to use as much soap and cleaning chemicals to wash their customers’ vehicles.
Other industries that use water filtration systems:
- The printing industry
- The paper manufacturing industry
- Beer and soda manufacturers
- Hospitals
- Health clubs
- Office buildings
- Car washes
- Restaurants
How to get your water tested
If you are concerned about your water quality, here are two options for you. Scott said, “First, you can go to your local Georgia Cooperative Extension. They’ll be happy to test your water for you. Expect to pay around $22 to have them test it. Your second choice is to go to our website and contact us for a free water test.”
What are some things to look for in a commercial water filtration company in Atlanta?
Look at the reputation of the company. You want someone that installs proven products and that will be in business tomorrow to service it. Take the time to read on-line reviews and talk to your industry peers.
Should I buy my water filtration equipment on-line?
It may be very tempting to buy your commercial unit online. After all, every small business owner wants a good deal, right? But before you click Add to Cart, here are some hidden costs and risks to think about:
Who will install it for you?
“So let’s say you buy your filtration unit from the Internet. Who will install your business water filtration system?” Scott asked. “If you find a plumber, make sure they’re licensed and have experience installing business water filter units.” Scott informed us that all of his installers work under a Georgia-licensed plumber. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your equipment is installed per the national plumbing code and the Georgia code. Otherwise, you could risk leaky pipes, flooding, and an increase in your premiums.
Who will warranty the product for you?
Next, you need to figure out who is going to warranty the unit for you. Most Internet deals come with a 30-day warranty. But you want a unit that is protected for longer than that, don’t you? For example, depending on the commercial unit a business owner chooses, some of Scott’s products are warrantied for up to five years. That means you know that your investment is safe and protected.
Who is going to fix it or maintain it for you?
We asked Scott what kind of maintenance is required on a good commercial unit. “Many of the commercial units we install clean themselves with a brine solution,” he explained. “This means that you will not have to replace your filters as often. However, the process discs have to turn freely to clean the system. Eventually, the O-rings have to be replaced. These need to be maintained just like your car’s engine needs regular oil changes and tune-ups to keep it working in tip-top shape.” So it’s good to work with an installer that will provide annual maintenance on your system. That way your system will always be up and running for your customers’ enjoyment.
We asked Scott if he ever gets phone calls to repair or maintain water filtration systems that he did not install. “Yes, all the time,” Scott said. “When a restaurant or car wash filtration system goes down, they want it fixed immediately. So sometimes we get emergency calls from frustrated business owners that can’t get their filtration company to help them right away. We try to drop what we’re doing and reschedule things as much as possible to accommodate new customers in a jam.”
So, even if you have an existing water filtration company that you like working with, it’s a good idea to have a trusted back-up service company to maintain your equipment in an emergency.
What’s the company’s customer service mindset?
Scott quickly added, “Not all plumbers like being in the customer service business. Sure, they’ll install your unit, but will you be able to get them to come back to service it for you? On the other hand, we recognize that the installation is not the END of our customer service, but is instead merely the beginning.”
We hope this article will give you a few things to think about before buying a commercial water filter system and choosing someone to install it for you. We want to thank Scott of EcoWater of Atlanta for answering our questions. If you would like to ask him a question you can check out his company’s website here.
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