Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

by Heidi Harris

From the issue of Values

For over 100 years Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has been making products that manage the flow of water. From pressure regulators to drainage products, if it involves water, you can bet that Watts has developed a product to direct it.

Unless you’re a plumber, you’re probably not familiar with the nuances of Watts’ products; however, it is very likely you are on the receiving end of a Watts innovation at some point during your day. Your city’s tap water is safe to drink because of a backflow preventer—a device that prevents the backward flow of contaminated water into the potable drinking water supply. The water heater in your basement is able to operate safely because of the temperature and pressure relief valves that Watts pioneered in the 1930s. The warm water that rushes out of the faucet (as opposed to scalding hot or ice cold) may be the result of a Watts’ thermostatic mixing valve.

Watts has also been adept at designing products that meet the growing demand for residential resource efficiency. Among these products are washing machine shutoff valves, boiler energy savers, and hot water demand recirculation systems that deliver instant hot water at the tap, conserving water and energy. Watts also offers radio frequency thermostats that allow users to regulate central heating and cooling systems. By utilizing radio waves to transmit commands, these thermostats can operate without wires, making installation simple and quick.

A commitment to water quality, water safety, water conservation, and water comfort has driven Watts to design products that utilize water in novel ways. One such example is Watts’ radiant heat products which are under-floor heating systems that can be installed throughout the home. Another example of Watts’ ingenuity can be seen in its water filtration products. Many people enjoy the taste of bottled water but are opposed to the packaging waste it generates. Heeding this call, Watts designed a zero-waste reverse osmosis water filtration system that produces exceptionally clean drinking water at the tap.

Water, of course, is a limited resource. As the population grows and the demand for water increases, the need for sound water conservation methodologies will intensify. Companies such as Watts, which supply products to conserve, preserve, and treat water, stand to benefit from the growing global demand for safe and efficient water applications.

The information provided in the above article is for historical purposes only. Such information may no longer be current and therefore should not be relied upon.

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