Q: What does Clear Water do?
A: We make dirty water clean! More specifically, we design, manufacture, rent, sell, operate, and maintain water treatment equipment that uses chemistry and filtration to help our clients meet water quality standards. We're a full-service water treatment company.
Q: What are active treatment systems (ATS)?
A: Active treatment systems employ coagulation/flocculation in addition to filtration to reduce turbidity, remove contaminants, and correct pH.
Q: What are the benefits of Active Treatment Systems (ATS)?
A: Active treatment systems handle tough pollutants in less space. They work well for variable stormwater flows, tight spaces, and/or stuations with strict quality standards.
These systems treat water instantly during storms and can be customized for your specific needs. They can also include automation, remote access, alarms, and other smart features to drastically reduce the amount of time you’re spending on site.
Q: What's the difference between Active Treatment Systems (ATS) and Chemically Enhanced Sand Filtration Systems (CESF)?
A: All CESF systems are ATS, but not all ATS are CESF systems.
ATS, or Active Treatment Systems, actively manipulate water quality to remove pollutants, often using chemical or electrical processes. This is in contrast to passive systems like basic sediment ponds or passive tanks that rely solely on gravity for pollutant removal.
CESF, or Chemically-Enhanced Sand Filtration, specifically refers to the utilization of chemistry and pressurized sand filtration as a method of removing pollutants and turbidity. Chitosan is commonly used as the main chemistry in this approach - causing suspended particles to bind together and making them easier to remove. Some go so far as to refer to this method as chitosan-enhanced sand filtration, but it does not always employ chitosan, so this is a bit of a misnomer.
Q: What is chitosan? How is it used in water treatment? Is it safe?
A: Chitosan is a natural biopolymer derived from chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of crabs and other shellfish. It’s used in water treatment primarily as a coagulant to remove solids and metals before filtration - extending filter life and reducing maintenance frequency. Our process includes residual testing to ensure no chemistry remains in the treated effluent, just clean, clear water. This biodegradable solution is completely safe and supports a circular economy by utilizing seafood waste. Read more about chitosan products and solutions at Tidal Vision.
Q: Where do you operate?
A: Across North America! Our company was founded in the Pacific Northwest in 1998 and now assists clients all over the U.S. and parts of Canada with their treatment needs.
Q: Do you support PFAS projects?
A: Yes! Our adsorption vessels are optimized for PFAS removal, and we support treatability studies to ensure we design the best system to remove contaminants, while fitting your budget, your footprint, and your permit.
Q: How can our team or business find out more or ask specific questions?
A: We’ll come to you! Let us bring your team lunch or schedule a webinar, and we can chat about water treatment design and available products and solutions with no obligation. You can give us a call at 1-888-369-6066, or send us an email at info@clearwaterservices.com. Our team will get back to you ASAP.
Q: ‘A Tidal Vision Company’ - what does that mean?
A: Tidal Vision, Clear Water’s parent company since 2023, is the USA’s only chitosan manufacturer creating sustainable solutions for water treatment, agriculture, and materials industries through innovative green chemistry. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer derived from shellfish waste that effectively treats water contaminants, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemicals while supporting a circular economy. Our relationship with Tidal Vision supports treatment research and development, gives us access to world-class laboratories, and allows us to maintain chemistry quality and directly control delivery. It's a win/win for our clients.
Q: What makes you different from other treatment vendors?
A: Interested in a custom solution with specific sizing or custom-fabricated equipment? We can do that. Looking for operational support or maintenance on an old treatment system you purchased? We can do that, too. Want a responsive team with great communication on your side and available 24/7 to meet your needs? That’s us. Need to start the process from scratch and don’t know where to even begin? We’ve got your back with treatability testing and feasibility studies to identify the best path forward. We are truly full-service, offering turnkey solutions for projects large and small. Our team are the most experienced in the industry, and we're continuously advancing our technology to stay ahead of the curve and on top of emerging contaminants. We're committed to identifying the most economical and effective approach to treating water for our clients, every time.
Q: Wait... did I see you on a Bill Nye The Science Guy episode back in the day?
A: Yeah, you did! We worked with Bill Nye on a segment back in the early 2000s, when our name was even longer (Clear Water Compliance Services LLC) talking about chitosan technology in water treatment. Our equipment is more advanced these days, but the basics of chitosan's role in CESF treatment is still as relevant as ever. You can check out the feature here on Youtube.
