Who Tests Your Water?
Written by F. Justin Ossmann
Did you know that the people responsible for making sure your drinking water is safe do not have to hold any license, state, county or otherwise? In a world filled with product recalls and health scares, in a state defined by water itself, there is something genuinely scary about such a lack of rules or regulations concerning water quality and water purification.
“There are only three organizations or positions that are legally able to determine whether water is safe or not,” says John Perry, founder and owner of Gator Water. “They are the State Health Department, a state-certified laboratory, and a state-certified water plant operator. As state-certified professional water plant operators, we are one of the only companies in the region with the qualifications and expertise to determine whether your water is safe to drink or not.” In an industry where certification or qualification is not necessary, Gator Water swims head and shoulders above the rest.
For more than twelve years, Gator Water has provided the residents of North Port and the surrounding areas with proficient water analysis and treatment. Moreover, Gator Water instills confidence in its customers…confidence that they know what they are doing. “We are certified by the Florida State Department of Environmental Protection, which is not an easy certification to get,” explains John. “We study different water treatment methods at different colleges, and must pursue continued education on a regular basis. It takes one year of school and a year working in a municipal water plant before even having the opportunity to sit for a license.” This education, experience and state certification is what helps establish Gator Water as the area’s premier water analysis and treatment company.
Gator Water can install just about any style or model of water treatment system, but specializes in reverse osmosis systems. In reverse osmosis, water passes from a region of high solute concentration to a region of low solute concentration, across a membrane, thus leaving salts and other impurities on one side and creating pure water on the other. “This is a system where you really need to know what you are doing,” says John. “The pH level is especially critical.”
Over the last seven years, the city of North Port has seen exponential growth and development, transforming from a quiet Southwest Florida town to a burgeoning metropolis. And while most of this growth has been well-managed, John warns area residents that their water quality may begin to suffer. “I have been very public about the degradation of water quality in this area, especially with the water becoming more salty,” he says. “I have been complaining about this for a while, and only recently have they conducted a study to determine if the water quality is actually getting worse. The study found that it is. And it is going to keep getting worse unless something is done.”
“Water is health,” states John. “You need to take that seriously. Anyone can install a water treatment system, but installing them correctly and making sure they are running the right way, that is what separates the professionals from the wannabes.”
How safe is your water? To find out, contact Gator Water today. Gator Water is located at
12500 South Tamiami Trail, Suite A, in North Port. For a free system analysis or any other information, please call (941) 423-6909 or (941) 497-2645, or visit www.gatorwater.com online.
Copyright 2008