Florida is widely known to have some of the hardest water of any state, especially in the Southeast region.

Three PHCP organizations set out to change that stigma for The Villages, a more than 56,000-resident community located northwest of Orlando, Fla. The Villages is known as central Florida’s “Friendliest Hometown,” and is considered one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Ocala, Fla.-based Ocala Winsupply, Wildwood, Fla.-based Mike Scott Plumbing and Enviro Water Products combined to provide a water-softening and filtration solution ideal for both The Villages homeowners and the environment.

The result was the introduction of Enviro Water Products’ new Pro Combo System, a whole-house water-filtration and non-salt-softening solution that protects against contaminants, sediment and scale buildup with savings to the homeowner over the lifetime of the product.

In partnership with Enviro Water Products, Ocala Winsupply and Mike Scott Plumbing created a print ad in the local newspaper to showcase the system. Prior to the ad running, the companies worked together to host in-depth trainings and each trainee received a copy of the local water report, a list of contaminants that the carbon filter addressed, homeowner leave-behind literature, a detailed brochure, as well as Q&A quick guides. Mike Scott Plumbing also set up a dedicated phone line to answer homeowners’ questions.

The results

When the ad ran on a Saturday (reaching 16,000 doorsteps), the team received inquiries from 10 homeowners. Following that initial insert Mike Scott Plumbing has run an ad in that same local paper every other week with positive results. Mike Scott Plumbing notes upticks in estimates and installs have occurred after each ad has appeared.

From the first ad to today, Ocala Winsupply has provided Mike Scott Plumbing with more than 60 units for installation as retrofits. Ocala Winsupply also has seen an increase in its water filtration and softening supply business and on the contractor level. Within that division at Mike Scott Plumbing, sales have risen more than 60%, the company notes.

To keep up with demand, Mike Scott Plumbing recently purchased a van to hold the system tanks vertically and now has four technicians handling installs.

“Our partnership with Ocala Winsupply and Mike Scott Plumbing has achieved strong results for everyone involved. We are going to continue to roll out this model in other states,” says Laura Schaefer, national sales director of Enviro Water Products.