Finding compatibility in a water treatment partner can be empowering. When you share a vision with someone you also can depend on, consult with, and know has your best interest in mind, you are going places. It’s not just about the warm-fuzzies that communication and trust bring to the table, it’s about achieving results that raise your facility to superstar status.

We took our 30-plus years of experience with hundreds of clients to create this list of questions you should ask yourself when searching for that perfect partnership. 

1. Do they offer all of the capabilities you need? First and foremost, your potential water management partner should be able to deliver solutions in the breadth and depth you want for your business. This includes the level of expertise you are looking for; equipment your facility needs in the future; support for the equipment you already have; chemical supply; testing and monitoring; analysis; and their general approach for taking corrective action.
   
   
2. Do they have that personal touch? Water management is not a nameless, faceless service. After all, production efficiency and employee safety depend on the quality of your water management program. With a responsibility like this, your water treatment partner should know you and your company by name when you give them a call or walk through their doors.
   
   
3. Will you have VIP status? You don’t have to be the largest client to get special treatment. Choose a partner who considers every customer a key part of their business no matter if an operation is small or large. They are willing to do what it takes to get the job done for you, not for their bottom line, not for the sake of their stockholders.
   
   
4. Do they simplify the process? All the bells and whistles are just noise if in the end you are left with the most challenging part of the job. If you don’t have in-house power plant experts who can install, maintain, and service new equipment, you’ll need your water management partner to provide these full-service solutions for you.
   
   
5. Are you a good fit for them? Who is the ideal client for your potential partner, and do you fit that profile? The answer to this question can indicate the sustainability of the relationship. If a solutions provider regularly offers new technologies to the marketplace and you are open to learning about their value for your business, there could be a match. If a water treatment company prides itself on customer service the same way you do with your clients, another match.

Just like any successful relationship, the key to finding the perfect match starts with taking ownership of who you are and who you want to be. That means understanding what you need to do to optimize your water management program, making an internal commitment, and bringing on a partner who will support you and guide you along the way.