March is home to World Water Day. Water is vital in life, not only for survival, but essential for many daily tasks. So many in fact that clean water can and might be taken for granted. At RHI, we can test wells for unsafe contaminants in residential and commercial properties. When results come back, we partner with trusted companies to help our clients pursue and create clean water in their homes. We dove deeper into the topic of clean water products and services with Jeremy Bost who is the owner of Culligan Water of Evansville.
Share your story about Culligan.
In 1936, Emmett Culligan started his business with a vision for delivering better water to homeowners. Today, Culligan International makes a real difference in the health and wellness of people throughout the world by providing two critical global resources – cleaner water and soft water – through eco-friendly products and exceptional customer service. Locally we have been in the tri-state since 1958 helping the area treat water.
The original owner first started it in 1958 then passed it on to the owner who eventually trained me. So, in July of 2017, I hired on with Culligan as a Residential Sales Rep after 16 years with Schwan’s frozen food company. The plan was to learn the business from the ground up and eventually take over the business.
There were many things I considered before making the large jump. First, I always had a dream of being a small business owner where we could provide the type of environment for employees and customers that we were all proud of. Culligan wanted to create a product and/or service that makes a difference in peoples’ lives. We understood that there was a great need for this type of service because our water is not getting better, sadly. After research, I decided Culligan checked all of those boxes and I made the leap. On May 28th 2021, the old owner retired and I took over.
What percentage of homes in Southern Indiana are on well?
In Southern Indiana, 12 to 15 percent are on wells. These homes are usually more rural and do not have access to public water. Therefore, they must create their own private water source. This is where the well becomes necessary. While this source of water can be life changing, it is important to keep in mind that there are many things that can make well water unsafe. It is recommended that wells are assessed annually to confirm the water is still safe.
What are signs that water should be tested?
There are several signs that indicate water should be tested. A change in your water, as far as smell, color, or taste are all common indicators. It is also important to monitor how you are feeling. Any of these changes in water could produce rashes, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If any of these indicators appear in water and/or cause these symptoms, make sure you have you water tested. Again, it is a smart practice to have your water tested annually.
What are the most common finds once tested?
One of the most common finds is water hardness. This means that the water has a high mineral content, usually calcium and magnesium. Limestone, chalk or gypsum are usually the culprits for these mineral deposits. Iron and total dissolved solids is another common find. Total dissolved solids (TDS) are the total of all substances dissolved in the water. High concentrations of TDS are an indicator that harmful contaminants can be present in the water. Sometimes we also find coliform bacteria. Some of these types of bacteria in drinking water can make individuals sick.
What are treatments/solutions to problems or concerns found?
Culligan has multiple solutions that we offer to resolve these issues. The first is a water softener. The purpose of a water softener is to prevent the buildup of minerals, especially in pipes and fixtures. It can also lengthen the life of some of your appliances. The second solution we propose is a reverse osmosis system. This system filters out unwanted molecules and larger particles from drinking water. A whole house UV system will remove microbiological contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, and cysts. Finally, carbon filters are utilized to remove certain chemicals from water, especially organic chemicals.
What services does Culligan provide?
We offer residential, commercial, and industrial solutions with a full line of water treatment equipment. We can treat water for the home, including drinking water and water softening. We also service existing water softeners for residential and commercial properties. Culligan also has the capability of deionization treatment for industrial applications. Beyond that, we also deliver salt to residential and commercial homes for water softeners. We also rent coolers and deliver bottles of water to offices. We even have bottle free water options.
Overall, RHI and Culligan believe there is no better feeling than to know that the services provided are appreciated by customers because these services make such a large difference in their lives. Clean water can definitely be taken for granted until it is lost. Then, not having water becomes a very desperate situation. Understanding your water situation is the first step in consistently creating clean water in your home or business. To find out more about Culligan Water of Evansville, please visit https://culliganevansville.com.