Top Signs Your Business Needs a Commercial Water Treatment System

Tampa, Florida, can be a tough place to run a business. At Aqua-Wise Solutions, we're experts in water treatment, and we've seen how bad water quality can hurt your bottom line. Hard water is a legitimate risk to your business. It can cost you big time in equipment damage and lost time.

No matter what kind of business you run, keeping an eye out for water quality problems is key to protecting your investment. Here are the top signs that your business needs a commercial water treatment systems.

Understanding Tampa's Water Quality Challenges

Tampa Bay mainly gets its water from underground sources like the Floridan Aquifer. This water naturally has high levels of minerals dissolved in it. In Tampa, the water is typically pretty hard, ranging from 140 to 300 parts per million. According to the Tampa Water Department's latest reports, the water in 2023 averaged 201 milligrams per liter, or 11.7 grains per gallon. That's well above what's considered "very hard".

High levels of calcium and magnesium in this water cause scale to build up and create operational issues that can really hurt your profits.

Sign #1: Visible Scale Buildup and Limescale Deposits

One clear sign that your business needs a water treatment system is when you notice white, chalky stains on equipment and surfaces. This happens when minerals in hard water come out of solution as the water dries up or gets heated. This process is known as scale buildup.

Look for these telltale signs:

• Yucky white buildup on coffee makers and water fountains

• Foggy glassware and dishes that just won't come out clean

• Hard water stains in toilets and around faucets

• Low water pressure from faucets and showerheads

Not only is it ugly, but it's also a sign of what's going on inside your pipes. When scale builds up, it can lower heat transfer efficiency by as much as 30%. This means your water heaters and boilers have to work a lot harder.

Sign #2: Equipment Performance Issues and Frequent Breakdowns

Commercial water treatment systems are a must because hard water minerals cause appliances to wear out faster. By removing or reducing the hard water minerals, you can keep your appliances running smoothly for years to come.

Common equipment problems include:

• Steam boilers and water heaters that need regular TLC

• HVAC cooling towers are not running at their best

• Dishwashers and ice machines that keep breaking down

• Coffee and beverage equipment that doesn't make great drinks

• Manufacturing equipment that's damaged by mineral buildup and rust

We recently worked with a client who had a 10-year-old twin tank softener system. The problem was that only one tank was working because the controller had broken. As a result, the client had to deal with occasional bursts of hard water.

For more detailed info, check out our complete guide to commercial water treatment systems.

Sign #3: Rising Energy and Utility Costs

When mineral deposits build up, they trap heat, making the systems work way harder to get the job done. This means you end up paying more on your utility bills. Watch for these cost increases:

• Weird spikes in your electricity or gas bills

• Your water heater's taking longer to kick in

• You're getting less hot water than usual

• Your equipment is breaking down more often

Studies show that hard water can increase energy usage by about 11%. This is because limescale buildup in heating elements and lower heat transfer efficiency waste a lot of energy. For businesses that use a lot of water, this can mean thousands of dollars in unnecessary energy bills.

Sign up for your free water test today by calling us at 727-236-7161. 

Sign #4: Water Quality and Taste Issues

Bad water quality also affects your customers' experience and your employees' well-being. But you can fix issues that the city might not catch with a commercial RO water system. Common water quality problems in Tampa include:

• Chlorine taste and smell

• High levels of dissolved solids

• Contaminants like PFAS, lead, and bacteria in the water

• Water that tastes metallic or just plain bad

• Cloudy or weirdly colored water

Poor water quality can really hurt food service businesses. When it comes to hotels and spas, having great-tasting water is crucial for keeping guests happy. Even office buildings can see a big difference with clean drinking water.

Sign #5: Regulatory Compliance Concerns

Companies in Tampa need to follow strict rules. The EPA has set new limits for PFAS in drinking water, as low as 4 parts per trillion. Businesses must meet these standards. The EPA's new rules aim to limit exposure to PFAS.

For Tampa businesses, failure to comply can lead to penalties and damage to their reputation. Regulatory requirements may include:

• PFAS monitoring and treatment by 2027-2029

• Meeting lead and copper rules

• Following Safe Drinking Water Act standards

• Complying with Clean Water Act discharge requirements

• Meeting industry quality standards

Businesses like healthcare facilities and manufacturers often have to deal with extra rules that require the best commercial well water treatment systems.

The Hidden Costs of Inaction

Putting off investing in a commercial water treatment system can end up costing your business a lot. Here are some potential expenses to consider:

• Replacing equipment for a large commercial system can set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• When equipment is down, productivity suffers, causing revenue to take a hit.

• Failing to comply with regulations can result in major fines.

If contaminated water makes employees sick, you could be on the hook for healthcare costs and liability issues.

How Commercial Water Treatment Systems Provide Solutions

Aqua-Wise Solutions offers a complete solution for commercial water treatment. Our systems use multiple technologies to get the job done, including:

• Reverse osmosis gets rid of up to 99.9% of contaminants.

• Water softening removes calcium and magnesium ions, causing scale buildup.

• Filtration systems that take out chlorine and other impurities affecting taste and quality.

Our advanced monitoring systems make sure your water quality is consistent and compliant with regulations.

Choosing the Right System for Your Tampa Business

Choosing the right commercial water treatment system depends on your needs and the quality you require. Here are a few factors to think about:

• How much water do you use, and when do you need it most

• What contaminants are in your water supply

• Rules and standards for your industry

• Budget and what you want to get out of your investment

• Space and installation requirements

At Aqua-Wise Solutions, we take a close look at your water and assess your system. We've got a range of options, from basic to advanced, multi-step treatment solutions that can tackle even the toughest issues.

Service and Maintenance Considerations

Commercial water treatment systems need regular upkeep. Our service plans include:

• Swapping out old filters and giving the system a good cleaning

• Checking the water quality and running tests

• Doing routine maintenance to avoid breaking down

• Handling emergency repairs that get you back up and running fast

• Upgrading your system to the latest tech

Keeping up with maintenance means your system keeps delivering clean, soft water.

Water Quality Issue	Business Impact	Treatment Solution
Hard water minerals	Scale buildup, equipment damage	Water softening, RO systems
Chlorine and chemicals	Poor taste, equipment corrosion	Carbon filtration, RO
Bacteria and pathogens	Health risks, regulatory issues	UV disinfection, filtration
PFAS contamination	Regulatory violations, health concerns	Advanced RO, activated carbon
High TDS levels	Equipment scaling, poor quality	Reverse osmosis systems

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my business needs a water treatment system?

Check for scale buildup, rising water bills, bad water taste, or compliance issues with regulations.

2. What contaminants do commercial systems remove?

Today's systems can filter out a wide range of unwanted stuff, including minerals, PFAS, and chlorine. The specifications depend on how the system is set up.

3. How much does commercial water treatment cost?

Costs differ based on the system, but businesses can expect to see a return on their investment in 2-5 years.

4. How often should commercial systems be serviced?

Regular upkeep every few months keeps things running and helps equipment last longer.

5. Can water treatment help with regulatory compliance?

Well-designed systems go a long way in meeting PFAS, lead, and other regulatory requirements.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

If your Tampa business is showing any of these warning signs, don't wait. Fixing water issues early on can save you a lot of money. Get in touch with the team at Aqua-Wise Solutions, and we'll take a close look at your current water situation and suggest water treatment systems that fit your budget.

Our team has the expertise and local support that's hard to find elsewhere. Contact us today!