Aqua-Rex has introduced a groundbreaking technology aimed at transforming the treatment of hard water, a significant issue affecting millions globally. Traditional methods, such as ion exchange, have been used for nearly a century but come with high costs, environmental impacts, and inconsistent reliability. Aqua-Rex’s innovative solution offers a non-chemical, electronic alternative that addresses these challenges effectively.
Understanding the Hard Water Challenge
Hard water, caused by dissolved calcium, poses severe problems for households and commercial operations. As water heats, calcium precipitates and forms scale on pipes, appliances, and heating systems. Over time, this buildup restricts water flow, decreases heating efficiency, and leads to appliance failures. “You can’t simply wipe the scale away,” explains Jonny Seccombe, President of Aqua-Rex. “Scale sticks and only an acid can remove it.”
Historically, salt-based softeners have been the go-to solution for hard water. Yet, Seccombe highlights that these systems have their drawbacks, including high installation and maintenance costs, the need for constant salt replenishment, and environmental concerns regarding chloride discharge. “You are literally dumping chloride into the environment, and there’s no way that nature has to get rid of that contamination,” he states.
A Sustainable Approach to Water Treatment
Aqua-Rex’s technology addresses these issues by treating hard water without altering its composition or generating waste. It utilizes radio signals to influence calcium precipitation, preventing it from adhering to surfaces. As Seccombe describes, “It makes the scale form as a powder in suspension. It’s like chalk dust that passes through the system.” This results in cleaner plumbing, reduced maintenance, and enhanced reliability.
The technology has received third-party validation under the IAPMO IGC 335 test protocol, which assesses performance in real-world water conditions. In an independent study conducted with water from Las Vegas at 180°F, Aqua-Rex demonstrated an impressive reduction in scaling of 83%. “At normal domestic water temperatures, the scaling is negligible. It’s affordable, reliable, and proven,” Seccombe asserts.
In addition to controlling scale, Aqua-Rex has been shown to soften water by stimulating precipitation in suspension, thereby reducing residual dissolved calcium. This improvement enhances soap lathering, softens laundry, and is gentler on hair and skin. The Water Quality Association has acknowledged that these technologies may provide a measurable reduction in hardness based on data provided about Aqua-Rex’s performance.
Despite the advantages, adoption of this new technology has been slow. Seccombe attributes this to industry resistance rather than skepticism. “The technology works, but it challenges a long-standing business model,” he notes. Traditional service providers may feel threatened by the substantial cost savings this technology offers consumers.
As municipalities increasingly focus on reducing chloride discharge to facilitate water recycling, attitudes toward Aqua-Rex are beginning to shift. Traditional methods face scrutiny when installation and maintenance costs are taken into account. With its low cost and zero maintenance requirements, Aqua-Rex makes scale control accessible to everyone in hard water areas.
The implications of this technology extend beyond convenience. With cities considering bans on salt-based softeners due to environmental impacts, solutions like Aqua-Rex could significantly aid regions in recycling water and reducing emissions, all at a minimal cost and with a rapid return on investment (ROI).
Seccombe, who has dedicated nearly four decades to challenging the status quo in water treatment, believes that for Aqua-Rex to reach its full potential, it requires investment or a trade buyer to propel it into the mainstream. “To get it to the next level, we need an investor or trade buyer who can expand it into the mainstream,” he emphasizes.
With a solid foundation, established market presence, and eco-conscious design, Aqua-Rex presents a timely and significant opportunity. “Every industry reaches a point where it has to decide whether to cling to the old or embrace something new, better, and more affordable,” Seccombe reflects. “Now it’s about getting people to believe change is possible and to have the courage to make it happen.”
“Billy Smith, CEO of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, describes me as the Steve Jobs of the water treatment industry,” Seccombe adds with optimism. “Let’s see where that goes!”
