CHICAGO (November 16, 2009) – Recently, an Associated Press investigation found significant levels of
contaminants in drinking water at public and private schools across the country. As a result, Pentair, a global
leader in water filtration solutions, through its Everpure® brand, is announcing its commitment to providing
solutions for improving the quality of drinking water in schools nationwide.
“Water safety in schools, in addition to public facilities, is a very important issue as some water contamination
can cause health problems to both children and adults,” says Tony Fischer, global product portfolio manager for
Everpure. “As a leading water filtration company, we are dedicated to educating facility managers on the
technologies available to help eliminate such problems.”
According to the study, thousands of schools were found to be in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act having
high levels of pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, lead, mercury, arsenic, nitrates and much more. While some
experts feel that the responsibility lies within government agencies, the reality is government agencies can only
impose testing and reporting responsibilities. The good news is there are many solutions that schools can
implement locally to eliminate these toxins without a heavy cost. Pentair and Everpure have been delivering
clean, clear and consistent water to businesses for more than 75 years and offer a wide array of products to help
solve many of the common water contamination issues facing the U.S.
Understanding which contaminants are present and what technologies are available to resolve these issues is
the first step in finding a solution. In many situations, a point of use filtration system can be attached to a water
fountain or sink faucet to produce safe, clean water. In others, a larger point of entry system can treat the
entire facility. Such systems are always more cost effective than the purchase of bottled water. Schools and
school systems can take comfort in providing safe water to the children while saving significant costs to the
school and the students.
Bacteria and Viruses
Numerous U.S. schools were found to be beyond the legal limit for bacteria and viruses in drinking water and
while many of these bacteria can often be harmless, some can cause major health issues. The presence of a
variety of bacteria and viruses in drinking water is likely caused by sewage interference in the water or a
malfunction in the treatment system. Many water filtration systems claim they are able to reduce some of these
harmful contaminants but to truly eliminate the problem, water filtration products must use certified
ultrafiltration technology which can only be found in a limited array of products. When microbiological
contamination exists within a facility’s water distribution system, a point of use purifier utilizing ultrafiltration
can produce pure, safe water that is superior to bottled or municipal water. A school system can turn an
alarming problem into a point of pride in their community.
Lead, Mercury and Other Heavy Metals
Some of the main contaminants uncovered by the investigation were high levels of lead, copper, mercury and
other heavy metals. These can cause varying health problems in both adults and children even from short-term
exposure. According to the CDC, it is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10 percent and
20 percent of total lead exposure in young children. More often than not when heavy metals are found in
drinking water, it is due to corroded pipes and fixtures in all parts of the water delivery system, typically in older
buildings. In order to effectively eliminate heavy metals found in drinking water, facilities must look for water
filtration products that contain specially treated filters with adsorbent media specially developed for lead
reduction. When contamination originates in the plumbing of older buildings, the cost to refurbish the building
or replace the plumbing could be overwhelming for a school system. A lead filter could be installed at every
drinking water outlet in a building for a relatively modest cost and would be very effective.
Nitrates, Pesticides and Herbicides
One in five schools with their own water system were found to have harmful pollutants such as nitrates,
pesticides and herbicides in their drinking water. These contaminants are likely caused by residue in local
farming areas surrounding the school’s water source and can be harmful especially in infants. In order to
effectively rid water of nitrates, water filtration systems employing reverse osmosis (RO) technology can quickly
and efficiently remove these harmful substances. When dealing with herbicides and pesticides, high-end
technology carbon filters are needed to reduce excess levels in order to maintain water safety.
More information regarding the technologies mentioned above is available on the company’s Web site
(www.everpure.com).
About Everpure
Everpure, a leading foodservice industry supplier, has been manufacturing commercial water treatment
products, solutions and services worldwide since 1933. Everpure is also a trusted provider of water treatment
products to the vending, consumer, marine and aviation markets. Industry leaders around the world rely on
Everpure for quality water treatment. In 2004, the company became part of the Water Technologies Group of
Pentair, Inc. (NYSE: PNR). For more information on Everpure, visit the company's Web site at
www.everpure.com.
About Pentair, Inc.
Pentair (www.pentair.com) is a diversified operating company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its
Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement,
treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair's Technical Products Group is a leader in the global
enclosures and thermal management markets, designing and manufacturing thermal management products and
standard, modified, and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical
components. With 2008 revenues of $3.35 billion, Pentair employs approximately 13,100 people worldwide.
PR Contacts
Kori Green Nissy Atassi
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312.329.3979
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