2015 Water Purification Survey Results
Water is the most commonly used laboratory reagent; however, the importance of water quality is often overlooked. Because impurities can be a critical factor in many research experiments, water purity ranks high in importance. There are several types of impurities and contaminants in water such as particulates, organics, inorganics, microorganisms and pyrogens that can adversely affect results.
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Trevor Henderson, PhD
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Trevor Henderson BSc (HK), MSc, PhD (c), is the creative services director at Lab Manager. He has more than two decades of experience in the fields of scientific...
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Achieving water of a high quality requires the careful use of purification technologies and a method for accurately measuring and monitoring contaminants.
Top 4 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Water Purification System
- What do you need the water for? What is your application and what type of water is needed? What is the source of your current water? How much water is required per batch/day? Are there special requirements for delivery?
- What is your budget? (This will determine the technology). What is the cost of ownership over five years?
- Where do you need the system in the lab(s)? Consider: top of counter, under counter or wall mounting the unit. What is the overall footprint/real estate of the system(s) and components?
- What kind of warranty and service is provided? Is the system manufactured to quality standards and which ones? Is this a pharmaceutical application that needs to be validated?
ASTM standard water purity used by survey respondents:
| ASTM Type I | 59% |
| ASTM Type II | 30% |
| ASTM Type III | 8% |
| Other | 9% |
Water purification system components used by survey respondents:
| Water quality monitor | 64% |
| Storage tank | 62% |
| Dispensing points | 60% |
| UV sterilizer | 47% |
| Polisher | 43% |
| Distiller | 22% |
| Water softener | 21% |
| Other | 5% |
Nearly 52% of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new water purification system. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of an aging system | 36% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 12% | |
 | Upgrading existing equipment | 28% | |
 | Setting up a new lab | 8% | |
 | First time purchase | 4% | |
 | Other | 12% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a water purification system:
| Performance of product | 87% |
| Durability of product | 81% |
| Ease of use | 79% |
| Value for price paid | 74% |
| Low maintenance / easy to clean | 69% |
| Service and support | 68% |
| Low operating costs | 66% |
| Total cost of ownership | 65% |
| Availability of supplies and accessories | 56% |
| Warranties | 53% |
For more information on water purification systems, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/water-purification