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FAST & FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS IN THE LOWER 48 | US Assembled | Say NO to Chinese Manufactured Softeners
FAST & FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS IN THE LOWER 48 | US Assembled | Say NO to Chinese Manufactured Softeners
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Our Commitment to Sourcing USA Manufactured Products

Our Commitment to Sourcing USA Manufactured Products

At Affordablewater.us, one of our underlying missions is to provide No BS water softener and filter systems that are assembled in the USA, from components manufactured right here in the USA.  Unfortunately, that mission is becoming more and more difficult.  

While our systems will ALWAYS be assembled by AMERICAN workers right here in our Dayton, OH warehouse (just like we have been doing since 1965), the unfortunate fact of the global supply chain is that it is becoming more and more difficult to source 100% of the actual components of our systems from USA manufactured sources.  

Our pledge to our customers is this:

  • Our component sourcing priority will ALWAYS be USA first --> North America second --> Global (ex China) third --> China fourth.  When a reliable, relatively affordable, well made USA option exists, we will source it.
  • We will be as transparent as possible to assist you, our customer, in identifying any major system components which are manufactured in China. 
    • When we become aware of a major system component that is manufactured in China and for which we have no other sourcing option, we will identify it on our relevant product pages so you can make an informed buying choice.  

We sometimes get asked the question - "How can you advertise USA Assembled products and rail against Chinese Manufactured systems when some of your system's components are made there?" 

That's an easy one - it's because all of our systems ARE custom assembled based on your order specs right in our Dayton, OH warehouse.  And unlike many other online companies, we purchase our systems as individual components, allowing us to tailor the "ingredients" based on our professional opinion and the source of the components. 

Many softeners DIY'ers purchase, especially those sold in big box stores, are completely assembled in a factory somewhere in Asia, and then shipped by container to the USA, where they are sold to the consumer.  

So now you might ask -"Then where are your system's components manufactured?"  Unlike many other companies who hide their components behind proprietary brand names and marketing gimmicks, we use the industry standard manufacturing name to help you compare apples to apples as an informed consumer.  That being said, the nature of the global supply chain is such that there are certain components, particularly electronics and circuit boards, where at least some part has originated overseas.

Below is a list of the primary system components of our Softeners and Filters, and where they are sourced from:

  • Mineral Tanks - Manufactured by Clack Corporation in Windsor, WI, or from Structural Fibers (a Pentair Company) manufactured in Chardon, OH.  
    • Note, in some very specific and rare instances (36" tanks and up, 13" tanks w/4" openings), we may be required to source the tanks from Wave Cyber, who manufacturers their tanks in China.
  • Brine Tanks - Manufactured by Clack Corporation in Windsor, WI, or Structural Fibers (a Pentair Company) manufactured in Chardon, OH.
  • 8% and 10% Water Softener Resin - Manufactured by Aldex, a Canadian company, of 83% USA Source Materials.  Per Aldex, although the actual completion of manufacturing occurs at their plant in Canada, since the majority of source product and manufacturing cost occurs at their plant in Byhalia, Mississippi, the resin can carry the "Made in the USA" label per US Customs, and is not subject to tarrifs.
  • Water Softener Valves - Manufactured by Pentair (Fleck) in Mexico.  Over the past several years, Pentair (Fleck) has made the unfortunate decision to outsource the production of the vast majority of their water softener valves to Mexico. 
    • Several years ago (approximately 2021) Pentair (Fleck) shifted much of their production to Italy, but soon after switched everything to Mexico.  At this current time, the 5600SXT, 5600 Analog Metered, 9100SXT, 5800SXT, 2510, 2850, and 2900NXT2 are all manufactured in Mexico.  The Autotrol 760/255 valves are being manufactured in Italy.
      • If another company tells you their Fleck valves are currently being manufactured in the USA, ask them to prove it.
    • Our DealerPro line of valves (available for purchase only by authorized/verified water conditioning professionals) are manufactured by Clack Corporation in Windsor, WI.
  • Water Softener Connectors - All Fleck softener connectors EXCEPT FOR THE STAINLESS STEEL BYPASSSES are manufactured in Mexico.  Unfortunately, the Stainless Bypasses, both 3/4" and 1", are manufactured in China, likely due to the greatly increased cost of steel in North America compared to overseas.  
  • Softener and Filter Distributors and Baskets - Manufactured by Clack Corporation in WI.  
  • Filtration Media - 
    • Birm - Manufactured in the USA by Clack Corporation
    • Filter-Ox - Manufactured in the USA by Clack Corporation
    • Filter-Ag Plus - Manufactured in the USA by Clack Corporation
    • Pyrolox - Mined in the USA by Vibrantz Corporation
    • Gravel - Mined in the USA by Red Flint Sand and Gravel
    • Katalox Light - Manufactured in Germany by WatchWater
    • NSR Media for Nitrate Systems - Manufactured by Aldex with polymers from China
    • CRA Media for Tannin Systems - Manufactured by Aldex with polymers from China
    • CR26 Media for CR26 Systems - Manufactured by Aldex with polymers from China
    • Catalytic and Standard Granular Activated Carbon - Manufactured by Jacobi from Coconut Shell/Husk sourced from Sri Lanka

A note about cartridge filters - Unfortunately, Pentair (Pentek) has made the decision to outsource the majority of it's cartridge filter production to China.  As one of the largest manufacturers of filter cartridges available in the USA, it is almost impossible to avoid their products if you want to install a cartridge filter system in your home or business. 

We would HIGHLY recommend that if you are going to purchase cartridge filters, you purchase cartridge filters sold under the Pentair (Pentek) name, even if they are manufactured in China, rather than taking a risk with some knock-off brand (also almost certainly manufactured in China).  

The good news is that the Microline brand of RO filters which fit our TFC-335 Reverse Osmosis System are manufactured in the USA!

Hopefully the above has educated you about the water softener supply chain and supported you in your quest to Buy American.  Rest assured that as a 3rd Generation American Owned Family Business we are doing everything in our power to support American Manufacturing and keep our domestic economy going strong.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!

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