Secondwind Helps Local School Remove PFAS Contaminants from Drinking Water
In June, a local school contacted us after the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) detected PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their well water. The chemicals were traced back to fire foam used at a nearby station. PFAS contaminants are associated with a host of serious health problems, including several types of cancer, and immune, reproductive, and hormonal dysfunction. These chemicals are easily absorbed and remain in the body for long periods of time.
Further Testing Reveals Elevated Arsenic Levels
After testing the school’s water ourselves, we also detected the presence of arsenic. Although levels were below EPA standards, we wanted to ensure the safety of the school’s students, teachers, and staff. We recommended a reverse osmosis system that would treat both PFAS and arsenic. Our team designed a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and reliable system that would provide quality, contaminant-free water at every drinking water location.
The Clock is Ticking
Under normal circumstances, this type of job could be easily managed over the summer and up-and-running by the time students returned to school in the fall. However, by the time the project was approved by the school board, it was already mid-July. With just weeks before school was back in session, we had our work cut out for us. Site designs were created and approved, materials and supplies were ordered, and subcontractors were hired and scheduled.
Due to situations beyond our control, the Secondwind team experienced unexpected delays with this project. “We had the odds stacked against us, but we were determined to make sure they had safe, clean water for the very first day of school,” says Secondwind President and Founder Christine Fletcher.
Additional Secondwind team members arrive at the school to help get their new water treatment system ready for opening day.
All Hands on Deck
To meet the deadline, we pulled in additional support from other parts of our company. “Techs, customer service members, sales reps, and operations staff helped with final water bubbler testing, clean up, and anything else we needed to do to get the system ready to go,” Fletcher points out.
On Time for School
Our efforts paid off. When the students returned to school, the new system was up-and-running, delivering quality, safe drinking water throughout its halls. And with the hot and humid weather we’ve had this fall, it’s a good thing! Further testing revealed non-detectable levels of PFAS and arsenic, assuring school administrators and parents that their students had access to clean, safe drinking water.
Choosing a Commercial Water Treatment System in NH
There are a lot companies selling commercial water treatment systems today, making it difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison of all your options. Why should you go with Secondwind Water Systems? Because every member of our team subscribes to the philosophy of the late UCLA coach, author, and motivational speaker John Wooden: “It isn’t what you do but how you do it.”
While we’re honored to be an authorized distributor of Kinetico’s industry-leading water treatment systems, we’re most proud of our people—the problem solvers, the creative thinkers, the helpers, and the “above-and-beyonders” who stand behind every system we sell, install, and service. It’s how we do things that separates Secondwind from our competitors and makes us so successful. If you have concerns about the quality of your drinking water, contact us today for a FREE site evaluation.
