Whether you’re an engineer, maintenance, process or facility manager, you know how important it is to maintain a safe and efficient mechanical system for your building or industrial process. One key aspect of this is partnering with the right water treatment supplier.
But what happens when your current supplier is not meeting your needs? Changing suppliers can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide will walk you through the process of how to change water treatment suppliers.
Key Takeaways: Changing Water Treatment Suppliers
- Step 1: audit your current program, including results, service, industry experience and total cost to operate.
- Step 2: shortlist suppliers with local representation and experience in your industry.
- Step 3: set a transition date. The new supplier should manage equipment, dosage, inventory, staff training and a documented baseline.
- Step 4: track results against that baseline using water tests, equipment inspections and year-over-year water and energy use.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation
Before making any changes, audit the effectiveness of your current program and understand your requirements for service and automation. Some questions you may want to ask include:
- “What issues do I have with my current supplier?”
- “Is my representative experienced in our industry?”
- “Does my representative understand our level of in-house expertise? Do they help fill any gaps?”
- “Are they familiar with the makes and models of equipment used in our operation?”
- “Do they meet our service requirements and chemical delivery expectations?”
- “Are we getting the results that were promised? (Scale, corrosion, and microbial control)
- “Are our systems running at the lowest cost to operate?” For this evaluation consider chemical, maintenance, and energy costs.
Understanding any weaknesses in your current program will help you identify a supplier that is more aligned with your needs.
Case study: what a full system review found that routine monitoring missed
Step 2: Shortlist Potential Suppliers
Once you know your requirements, it’s time to identify water treatment suppliers that are experienced partners in your industry and local geography. Water conditions vary by geography. Suppliers with local representation are best positioned to offer treatment programs tailored to your needs. Local representatives are also more responsive to meet regular and emergency service requirements.
Look for companies with a proven track record of success. Ask for references and check online reviews to get a sense of their reputation. You’ll also want to compare delivery options, billing terms, and ease of doing business with a new partner.
Some other questions you should ask include:
- “Will my representative get to know me and our account, or will I be dealing with someone new each time I call?”
- “What certifications for quality, environment, health, and safety does this supplier hold?”
- “Does this supplier have an empty container return policy?”
- “Does this supplier have a live order desk?”
To help you assess potential suppliers, use our checklist to find the right water treatment supplier for you.
Step 3: Make the Switch
When you’ve found a new supplier that you feel confident in, it’s time to make the switch. Set a date for the transition. Your new partner should completely manage the transition. Depending on your system requirements, this may include:
- Installation and calibration of any new equipment
- Establishing dosage rates and proper chemical injection points
- Managing inventory as products are changed
- Training staff in their core responsibilities
- Documenting a clear starting point for water quality and current equipment condition
Your new supplier should be held responsible to ensure a smooth transition in a reasonable amount of time. Your entire team should feel comfortable with their level of involvement and be confident that the right change was made.
Step 4: Monitor the Results
After the transition is complete, be sure to closely monitor the performance of your new water treatment supplier by observing the trends in the data. Water management involves record keeping that includes:
- Simple water tests and readings performed by your staff
- Regular water tests performed by your supplier
- Periodic physical inspections of mechanical equipment
- Water and energy analysis on a year-over-year basis
The return on investment should be clear to you. Your new partner should keep track of any issues or concerns and address them with you. By working closely with your new supplier, you ensure your water treatment system is running smoothly and efficiently to ensure program success.
Case study: a Saskatchewan school’s results after changing its boiler program
Our company has used Guardian Chemicals for over 10 years now. The service is excellent and everything is high quality.
Is It Time to Change Water Treatment Suppliers?
Changing water treatment suppliers can seem like a daunting task. By following these steps, you can find a supplier that better meets your needs and improves your results to ensure an efficient and well-maintained mechanical system.
If you’re not satisfied with your current water treatment supplier, we’d love to talk with you about the difference Guardian Chemicals can make. We know changing suppliers can be challenging and we’re here to help.
Related from Guardian: boiler water treatment programs, cooling tower water treatment programs, closed loop and chiller treatment and DataGuard monitoring.
FAQ: Changing Water Treatment Suppliers
Our industry experts adopt a hands-on approach, offer regular follow-ups, and focus on getting your program on target from day one. Any issues are addressed promptly. Our startup process includes a detailed system analysis, setting of optimal treatment parameters, and training for your team to successfully execute the water treatment program.
Guardian Chemicals ensures a safe transition by conducting thorough site evaluations, risk assessments and safety training tailored to your facility’s specific needs. We work with you to train operators on the products, the application, and comfortable with the transition process.
At Guardian Chemicals, our Chemistry Done Better approach focuses on four key areas to help you manage your building water systems and Create a Better Future. To maintain the quality of our water treatment program and the results for your systems, we take a holistic approach that includes:
- quality pre-treatment equipment
- the right water treatment products for your system
- automated chemical feed equipment and controls
- and, on-site service from our industry experts
We “get it.” We’re obsessed with protecting your systems and helping you achieve the lowest total operational costs. The right equipment and treatment combined with remote monitoring and predictive data analytics ensure reliable, predictable results.
We provide you with end-to-end service based on your needs. From initial system assessment and treatment implementation to ongoing optimization and support.
Treatment programs include consultation, chemistry and training on application and dosage. Depending on your needs, programs may also include equipment, on-site service, inventory management, water testing, and access to the DataGuard Platform for comprehensive system monitoring and management.
We take full responsibility for inventory management. Your inventory levels are recorded in your DataGuard service reports to ensure a consistent supply of water treatment chemicals, tailored to your usage patterns. Regular reviews and adjustments are made based on your consumption, seasonal changes, and system performance.
Yes, as our customer, you gain access to our DataGuard portal. DataGuard gives you online access to your system reports and performance data. This allows for easy data access and report generation for you and your staff. And, best of all, our online DataGuard portal provide predictive analytics to help you make informed decisions for predictable results.
We can also fully automate your system from chemical dosage to monitoring with the addition of remote-capable water treatment controllers and sensors. Our controllers provide real-time monitoring and alerts, so get immediate insight into your water treatment system’s performance.
Through regular service visits, our team conducts regular testing, system audits and performance reviews. Any issues are identified and addressed early.
And, our DataGuard software uses predictive analytics for predictable results. With DataGuard, we can detect and escalate issues for correction. Our approach is proactive, identifying and rectifying issues to ensure optimal results for you and your water systems.
We offer on-site and remote, custom training tailored to meet your site needs. From basic water test procedures and frequency, to application and safe-handling procedures for each one of our chemicals used on your site.
he frequency of technical service visits varies based on your site needs. For consistent and effective water treatment, our team adapts the frequency of service visits to your needs and system performance. Our programs are designed to combine chemistry, equipment, and service to help you maintain and ensure the performance of your heating and cooling systems.
We take full responsibility for inventory management. Your inventory levels are recorded in our DataGuard service reports to ensure consistent supply of water treatment chemicals, tailored to your usage patterns. Regular reviews and adjustments are made based on your consumption, seasonal changes, and system performance.
Our systems are designed to prevent emergencies. When needed, our team is ready to address urgent issues and help you minimize downtime and system disruptions. After-hours calls are directed to a live answering service to quickly locate a team member to respond to your needs.
Originally published June 23, 2023. Updated with additional content and FAQ February 9, 2024.
