Water Quality Association Trade Show

Last week I was in Orlando at the National Water Quality Association trade show. Although it rained the whole time, I learned a lot, talked to tons of industry insiders and gathered more brochures than I could possibly carry on the plane. Trends? Bottle-less coolers and ionizers. So yesterday? Distributors that selling the same old products and aren't adding any value to the supply chain.

The lesson was that this industry is poised for a new wave of relevance. Long gone is the independent water treatment professional whose going door to door selling water softeners (you can buy that stuff online and install it without a single solder). So what is the next "wave"? According to Tom Cartwright, CEO of PureOflow Inc., there is increasing demand for commercial filtration systems in restaurants, gas stations and convenient stores that sell coffee and soda. I found Tom to be incredibly insightful in his presentation and observation that Americans are demanding quality water as the foundation of their beverages. From observing the show room floor, we're also seeing a push for home drinking water systems, many with revamped designs and features. Most notably is the "green" angle. "Zero emissions" manufacturing, recyclable filter cartridges and Reverse Osmosis systems that divert reject water to the hot water line. Very smart.