Culligan Provides Approved Radium Solution to Small Community Water Systems in Illinois; Equipment and management program saves money and water.

Business Editors

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004

When residents of a small community housing development in Northern Illinois learned that they were required to bring the radium level in their well water into compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, they feared that the mitigation costs for a centralized water treatment system would be prohibitive. But now, thanks to Culligan, small communities like this can bring their water into compliance and avoid the high cost of centralized treatment.

Homeowner Associations save money and water

For Royal Melbourne, a residential golf course community with 125 luxury homes in Long Grove, Illinois, radium levels were higher than the EPA maximum contaminant level of 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Looking for a solution, the Homeowners Association turned to Culligan. While the homeowners could have installed a central water softening unit for the whole community, Culligan proposed a point-of-entry (POE) water softener for each home along with scheduled Culligan salt service and regular water testing to ensure consistent performance as the most efficient solution. The proposal included each home and the common areas such as the golf clubhouse and snack bar and cited a savings by the association of almost $450,000 and reduction of the annual salt usage by 635,000 pounds compared to a central water treatment solution. With the subsequent approval of the Royal Melbourne Homeowners Association along with the U.S. and Illinois EPA, Culligan has begun installation and the pilot program is underway.

To ensure each softener is working properly on an ongoing basis, the Illinois EPA required each unit to incorporate Culligan's patented Aqua Sensor(R) water softener technology that continuously monitors the water softening media and initiates the water softening regeneration only when needed (instead of by time or water flow). This results in a savings of 60% less salt and water annually for the homeowner compared to conventional water softeners. Only Culligan brand water softeners offer this innovative technology.

Separately, the Briarcrest Homeowners Association also located in Long Grove, Illinois is another example of using POE water softeners to ensure EPA compliance for radium contamination in their well water. Installation of Culligan water softeners for all 69 single family homes for this association is underway and will be completed by the spring of 2004.

What is radium?

Radium (Ra) cannot be seen, tasted or smelled in your drinking water and is a naturally occurring radioactive element that is found in rocks and soil within the earth's crust. Radium can also be found in ground water supplies according to published research. Some people who drink water containing radium in excess of the EPA's standard over many years may have an increased risk of developing cancer.

While most ground water does not have detectable radionuclide activities, water in some areas of the country has levels significantly higher than the national average levels. The best way to determine your specific situation is to obtain a copy of the annual water quality Consumer Confidence Report distributed by your community water system.

Culligan program is only approved POE radium solution

Culligan's complete line of water softeners and reverse osmosis products reduce the amount of radium that might affect some water supplies. Currently, Culligan's equipment and management program is the only approved POE radium solution in the state of Illinois. Culligan water softeners are performance certified by Underwriters Lab (UL) to stringent ANSI/NSF testing methods.

"There are hundreds of these small community water systems in Illinois and across the country that may face radium and other compliance requirements as mandated by the EPA," explains David Mehrbrodt, executive vice president for Culligan, headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. "We are proud to be able to offer a cost-effective solution to those community water systems that want to provide safe drinking water to their homeowners."

For details about Culligan's POE water treatment methods or to locate a local Culligan dealer, visit www.culligan.com. Among the most widely recognized brand names in America, Culligan has been manufacturing and distributing water treatment products for household and commercial use worldwide since 1936, and entered the air purification market in 2003. Culligan's network of dealerships worldwide is committed to delivering superior customer satisfaction with local water expertise. For information, call a local dealership, or 1-800-CULLIGAN, or visit Culligan's Web site at www.culligan.com.