Iowa Culligan Dealer Offers Eco-friendly, BPA-free ‘Bagged Water’

New technology can replace five-gallon bottles on home and office coolers

QUAD CITIES, IA - Recently Vetter’s, Inc., a Culligan Water dealer located in the Quad Cities has obtained licensing rights to produce and distribute PURELOCK™, a home and office water system that operates using “bagged water.”

The PURELOCK™ system uses a single-use, three-gallon bag that does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a common additive in the production of polycarbonate and PET water bottles. Furthermore, the bags are made of an FDA-approved, 100%-recyclable, low-density polyethylene that can be attached to an existing water cooler through an upgraded cooler top. Lastly, the water used in the PURELOCK™ units is the same used to fill the bottles.

“As a leader in the local water industry and business community, we feel it is our responsibility to continually provide our customers with cutting edge technology and more eco-friendly alternatives,” says Marty McCarthy, vice president of Vetter’s, Inc. “This product offers added levels of convenience and sanitation, plus it drastically reduces the carbon footprint associated with most polycarbonate and PET bottles.”

In addition to the environmental impact of this new technology, Vetter’s Inc. customers see many everyday benefits. For example, each PURELOCK™ unit weighs approximately 20 lbs. less than existing five-gallon bottles, making them much easier for anyone to lift onto their cooler.

McCarthy also points out that the storage of bags is much easier than that of five-gallon bottles.

Moreover, “bagged water” technology positively affects the overall function of the water cooler. For instance, the PURELOCK™ system reduces the airflow necessary to operate existing systems. This reduction of airflow can lead to less bacteria buildup over time, and consequently result in a healthier drinking system. In addition, the cooler upgrade unit is easily removable and is dishwasher safe making it easy to clean any time.

“All in all, this is a great product that offers the consumer so many added values,” added McCarthy. “In a value-driven and environmentally-conscious world, we feel this product is an example of creative problem solving and an example of our commitment to our community and customers.”

Vetter’s, Inc. currently services most of Eastern Iowa and parts of Western Illinois. For a limited time, the company is providing upgrade units free of charge.


Disclaimer: Culligan dealers are individually owned and operated. Vetter's, Inc. and their six locations are the first, and currently the only, to produce and distribute the PURELOCK™ units within the Culligan system.

Seal of Approval

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Check out the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval process. Culligan is keeping the seal, and after watching this - I realize it's not easy!

Filtering systems and the WQA

While perusing some informational sites, I came across this fact sheet produced by the Water Quality Association in response to all the news about water issues - especially with pharmaceuticals. I thought I would share some of their thoughts for those who do not check this kind of information every day, like the Water Wise Guy does.

- Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technology available for treatment of drinking water. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these “point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

- While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking.

- While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals, many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging contaminants. Nano-filtration and reverse osmosis systems removed drugs tested by the Colorado School of Mines at full-scale facilities in Arizona and California. Activated carbon, distillation, ozonation, and advanced oxidization have likewise shown promise in removing many of these contaminants. Individual manufacturers can also test products for specific pharmaceuticals if they choose.

- According to Utah State University Extension, up to 90 percent of oral drugs can pass through humans unchanged. These often then move through wastewater into streams and groundwater. It is generally cost prohibitive for utilities to use systems such as nano-filtration, long contact activated carbon, and reverse osmosis. However, these top technologies have proven successful at removing many contaminants in home water treatment systems.

- In addition to pharmaceuticals, water quality experts are examining other emerging contaminants, such as those found in personal care products and pesticides. These are often referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Home filtering systems have also been proven to treat threats such as lead and mercury.

- WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. ( Culligan AC-30 is one of these systems, by the way.)

To learn more, check out the WQA at http://wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=2059

Culligan Tweets!

ThingsMomsLike@culliganh2O Hey Culligan maaaan! I used to make my grandmother say it because she said it like the lady in the commercial LOVE WATER!

cwroblew@culliganh2O Watertown. We've been real happy with the service in general too. We let Culligan do all the work.

kstevenson#MrTweet I recommend @culliganh2O because they educate me about what contaminants are in my water that I would have never known about!

susanraisch@culliganh2O Thanks for the great reminder Culligan. Dehydration is no fun.

iVillage@culliganh2O Thanks a lot and have a good weekend. :)

Well Testing Urged By American Academy of Pediatrics

The June issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging people to test private wells, since different bacteria and contaminants can be very harmful to children.

“Drinking water for roughly one-sixth of U.S. households comes from private wells, of which there is little regulation. With proper care, well water is extremely safe. However, these wells can become contaminated by chemicals or pathogenic organisms.” – AAP (http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/june09wellwater.htm )

Furthermore, the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, which regulates all drinking water systems does not apply to private wells serving less than 25 people.

Consult your local Culligan water expert about getting your well tested. The Culligan Man is familiar and respected when it comes to home water solutions.

How Hard Water Destroys Household Appliances

Recently, the results of a major study by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Batelle Memorial Institute demonstrated the destructive effects untreated hard water has on home showerheads, in some cases rendering them inoperable after only 18 months of regular use.

“After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of showerhead nozzles became clogged,” according to WQA laboratory results.

Meanwhile, showerheads in homes using water softeners performed as well as the day of installation.

There are two options available for people looking to keep their showers intact. First off, every couple weeks you can use a toothpick, vinegar, and a heavy duty plastic bag to unclog the showerhead. That sounds like alot of fun.

Secondly, you can install a water softener, which will also help solve the problems hard water creates throughout the entire house.

While this particular study focused on the showerhead region, Culligan water consultants are quick to point out conditioned water affects everything from the water heater to the washing machine to the dishwasher. Surface spots and stains, as well as bad-smelling water, can all be byproducts of hard water. Contact your local Culligan dealer if you notice these water issues around your own home.

In addition to showerheads, the WQA and the Batelle Memorial Institute are studying the effects hard water has on other household appliances. For more information on the Water Quality Association’s study and ongoing research, please visit www.wqa.org.

Drugs in the Water Cont'd

Water Quiz of the Day (6/2) Answer

Americans reportedly use 5x the amount of water their European counterparts do.

Water conservation is always important and Culligan is constantly thinking of the environment.

Thanks for playing. The next water quiz will debut tomorrow. So it will be a semi-daily quiz.

Have a great day from your local Culligan Man or Woman.

Water Quiz of the Day (6/2)

( I will try to do these in the beginning of the day...the Culligan Man got busy.)

On average,Americans use _______ more water than Europeans.

a)2x
b)3x
c)4x
d)5x

The Answer to the Water Quiz (6/1)

The answer is a) 1% of your total body water amount is already lost by the time you feel thirsty.

By 2%, you start to feel the effects of dehydration - and by 15% you are most likely six feet under.

Thanks for playing! The next water quiz will be up soon!

Water Quiz of the Day (6/1)

By the time you feel thirsty, what percentage of your body's total water amount have you already lost?

a)1%
b)3%
c)5%
d)10%

Comment on the blog with your answer or send a DM or @Relpy via Twitter @culliganh2o.