CorriganWater FAQ

Bottle-less Water Coolers
General Questions

1. Is Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler really better than a bottled water cooler?
2. How do I pay my bill?
3. How much does it cost to rent a bottle-less water cooler?
4. Does Corrigan offer a discount for renting multiple coolers?
5. Can I purchase a bottle-less water cooler?
6. Is Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler available for my home too?
7. What if something is wrong with my bottle-less water cooler?

Bottle-less Water Coolers
Installation Questions

8. How does installation work?
9. What if our water source is far away from where we want a cooler?
10. What steps are taken to prevent a water leak?

Water Softening

11. What is hard water?
12. What is water softening?
13. How long does a water softener last?
14. Why is soft water beneficial?
15. What is the difference between time-metered regeneration and on-demand regeneration?
16. How often should I add salt to my softener?
17. Should softened water be used for watering my lawn, garden, and houseplants?

Water Filtration

18. What is the difference between filtering water and softening water?
19. I have a water softener; doesn't that treat my drinking water?
20. Why does my drinking water taste funny or smell like “rotten-egg”?
21. Why does my water sometimes have a reddish or yellowish color?

Reverse Osmosis

22. I just had a Reverse osmosis system installed, why does my drinking water sometimes appear cloudy or milky?
23. What is Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) and how does it work?
24. What is meant by Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?
25. My water is terrible, is Reverse Osmosis really going to make it taste better?
26. What types of contaminants does Corrigan's Reverse Osmosis System remove?
27. How will I know the R.O. is working?
28. Is it necessary to change the filters in the R.O. every six months?
29. How much does it cost to replace the filters?
30. Does the R.O. Unit have to be mounted under the kitchen sink?
31. Can the R.O. be connected to my icemaker too?

Service

32. Where does Corrigan Water Solutions offer service?
33. I need technical support.

Answers

Bottle-less Water Coolers
General Questions

1. Is Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler really better than a bottled water cooler?

   You can count on it! Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler saves you money, saves the planet, and saves your valuable time and space lost to buying and storing bottled water.

2. How do I pay my bill?

   Payment is easy. Corrigan's low fixed rate takes the guessing out of figuring the monthly cost of your drinking water. Corrigan will send you a quarterly invoice that can either be paid over the phone with a credit card or through the mail with a check.

3. How much does it cost to rent a bottle-less water cooler?

   Don't waste another dollar on bottled water! Starting as low as $30/month, you can rent an unlimited supply of great-tasting, ice-cold, filtered drinking water. Call (800) 462-6478 today!

4. Does Corrigan offer a discount for renting multiple coolers?

   Yes! Corrigan offers special discounts to business that rent 10 or more coolers. Contact us today and one of our friendly customer representatives will be happy to assist you with more information.

5. Can I purchase a bottle-less water cooler?

   Yes! Corrigan's bottle-less water coolers are available for purchase, with or without a service agreement. Regionally, our customers find that it is much more cost effective to rent the cooler. Corrigan's rental agreement includes preventative maintenance, sanitation, all filter changes, and service performed by our WQA certified team. For more information contact us at (800) 462-6478.

6. Is Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler available for my home too?

   Yes! Corrigan's bottle-less water cooler will surely become one of your family's favorite appliances. It can be installed in your kitchen, wet bar or anywhere else quality drinking water is of value. Corrigan offers free-standing models, countertop models and even a refreshment center.

7. What if something is wrong with my bottle-less water cooler?

   For rental customers: Call (847) 263-5955 to speak to our service department and we will immediately take steps to resolve your problem.

   For purchase or out of service area customers: Call (800) 462-6478 to speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives and we will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your problem is resolved to your satisfaction.

   Bottle-less Water Coolers
   Installation Questions

8. How does installation work?

   While each individual installation is unique, general installation involves one of our WQA certified service technicians connecting your bottle-less water cooler to the nearest cold water line in your building. Once installed, the incoming water will pass through a customized water filtration system delivering high quality water to the bottle-less water cooler.

9. What if our water source is far away from where we want a cooler?

   No problem! Corrigan has installed water coolers that are located hundreds of feet away from the nearest water source.

10. What steps are taken to prevent a water leak?

    Corrigan's professional installation ensures that every precaution is made at each point of installation. Corrigan only chooses the highest quality equipment, materials and product lines available. For example, Corrigan's featured cooler, the Ion, is the most durable, reliable and advanced bottle-less water cooler in the industry, proudly made in the USA.

    All installations are hooked up to the building's water line after a shut off valve, the same way a coffee maker or ice machine is installed. If necessary, this valve can be manually shut off, stopping the flow of water to the cooler.

    At the point of use, Corrigan's bottle-less water coolers have additional shutoff valves that are located right where the water supply connects to the cooler, which can be manually shut off.

    Corrigan's featured Ion Cooler offers LeakPrevent™ and LeakGuard™, preventing internal leakage with an inlet valve and an audio alarm that will sound in the event of a leak.

    Corrigan uses only the highest grade, UV resistant, NSF 51 and NSF 61 certified water lines in our installations, built to withstand up to 230 psi.

    Water Softening

11. What is hard water?

    According to the United States Geological Survey, 85% of US homes have hard water. Hard Water is water that has a high mineral content. The content of the water consists of high levels of calcium and magnesium bicarbonates in water and together represent Total Hardness (TH). While hard water is not generally dangerous to safety or health, it does have damaging effects decreasing the lifespan and efficiency to household water systems. Lime scale can build up over time clogging pipes, water heaters, and any appliances that use water. This scale clogs pipes and may decrease the life of toilets by 70% and water taps by 40%.

12. What is water softening?

    Water softening uses the principles of ion exchange. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water are replaced with sodium ions. Sodium does not precipitate out into the pipes nor does it react badly with soap. To accomplish the ion replacement, the water in the house runs through a bed of resin beads covered with sodium ions. As the water flows past the sodium ions, they swap places with the hardness causing ions. When the beads have a low concentration of sodium ions left, it can no longer soften the water. At this point regeneration and back-flushing of the resin bed begins. The resulting saltwater and mineral ion solution is then rinsed away, and the resin beads are ready to start the process all over again.

13. How long does a water softener last?

    A good water softener will last many years. Softeners that were installed in the 1980's may still work, and many of these need little maintenance. Corrigan's commercial grade water softeners ensure years of reliability and efficiency. Something that frankly, the water softener off the shelf of your local home improvement store just cannot provide.

14. Why is soft water beneficial?

    In the Kitchen

    • Dishes will sparkle, using LESS dish soap and detergents
    • Reduces soap scum…everything cleans easier
    In the Bathroom
    • Soap makes a great lather
    • Skin and hair will be smoother and softer
    • Reduces soap scum and residue on showers, tubs and sinks
    • Saves precious time and money wasted on cleaning products
    Plumbing and Appliances:
    • Increases water heater efficiency by almost 30% and extends the life of your water heater by many years
    • Improves water flow and pressure by eliminating calcium buildup in pipes
    • Reduces mineral stains and odors on clothing and on plumbing fixtures.
    • Clothes are cleaner, brighter, softer and last longer
    • Adds life to dishwashers and washing machines
    • Saves you over 50% on cleaning products, soaps, detergents, and fabric softener etc.

15. What is the difference between time-metered regeneration and on-demand regeneration?

    The type of controller a softener has plays a very important role in the actual softening process. It can mean the difference between having soft water when you need it, or having to wait for the water you want.

    There are many softeners out today that have a time-metered controller. This means that you program the softener to regenerate as often as you think it should. Corrigan's softeners feature the Logix series controller with a Smart, Variable Reserve feature that learns your family's water usage and adjusts to demand. Regenerating only when needed saves you money on salt and water while simultaneously increasing the life expectancy of the softener.

16. How often should I add salt to my softener?

    The amount of salt needed depends on your family's water usage. The more water that is used the more your system regenerates. The more your system regenerates the more salt needs to be added. Usually water softeners are checked about once a month. To guarantee your softener is producing soft water, the salt level should be kept at least half-full at all times.

17. Should softened water be used for watering my lawn, garden, and houseplants?

    In watering houseplants, distilled water or rainwater is the best choice. While softened water is not the best for houseplants, it can still be used safely. Make sure to water heavily each time so that the minerals deposited in the soil during the previous watering are washed away. For outside sprinkling, the use of softened water is, first and foremost, wasteful. It could also be harmful, especially where the concentration of hardness minerals is heavy. The sodium replacing the hardness minerals could retard growth or even kill plants and grass.

    Water Filtration

18. What is the difference between filtering water and softening water?

    Softening water involves “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron which cannot be trapped in a media bed. Water filtration by definition simply means to strain out the impurities from a water source. By passing water through a media bed, particles (iron, sulfide or other organic matter) are trapped and filtered water passes through the bed.

    Corrigan's water filtration systems are designed specifically for your water needs. Typical solutions include but are not limited to ion exchange, oxidation, filtration and reverse osmosis. See Common Water Problems for more information or contact Corrigan for a free water analysis.

19. I have a water softener; doesn't that treat my drinking water?

    No. A water softener removes calcium, and other hardness causing minerals. A water softener is good for the home's plumbing and water related appliances, but does little to improve the taste or quality of your drinking water. A whole house water filtration system or reverse osmosis system is needed to treat other common water problems. See Common Water Problems for more information or contact Corrigan for a free water analysis.

20. Why does my drinking water taste funny or smell like “rotten-egg”?

    Funny taste and smell is a common concern associated with drinking water. Excess chlorination, inorganic and organic matter, hydrogen sulfide, and other contaminants may be the cause of unpleasant tastes and odors in drinking water.

    Hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water causes a rotten-egg odor in some groundwater, especially in our local area. While unpleasant, hydrogen sulfide will not make you sick. Corrigan Water Solutions has several proven water filtration options to remedy any taste, color, or odor problems in your water. See Common Water Problems for more information on treating hydrogen sulfide and/or improving the aesthetic qualities of your drinking water.

21. Why does my water sometimes have a reddish or yellowish color?

    Second to hardness, iron and rust problems are the most common water complaints. Iron is one of the most common elements found in nature. In fact, in groundwater supplies it is not uncommon to find some measurable amount of iron. Corrigan has several proven methods to treat all types of iron problems. Contact us today for your Free Water Analysis.

    Reverse Osmosis

22. I just had a Reverse osmosis system installed, why does my drinking water sometimes appear cloudy or milky?

    Air in the water can create a cloudy or milky appearance. Turning on a faucet releases pressure, causing hundreds of tiny air bubbles to form. The air bubbles will simply disappear in a few minutes.

23. What is Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) and how does it work?

    Reverse Osmosis was developed in the late 1950's under U.S. Government funding, as a method of desalinating seawater. Today, reverse osmosis takes the credit as one of the most thorough methods of water filtration available. It is used by most bottled water companies and by many industries that require virtually pure water. Now, this advanced technology is available to homes and offices everywhere.

24. What is meant by Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?

    By the time water reaches your tap it has comes into contact with many sources for potential contamination. The various minerals, salts, and solids that have been dissolved by the water during this period are called Total Dissolved Solids. Corrigan's reverse osmosis system can remove up to 99% of the dissolved solids found in your water, producing virtually pure water. It's your water…pure water.

25. My water is terrible, is Reverse Osmosis really going to make it taste better?

    No matter how poor your water quality may be, Corrigan's advanced reverse osmosis system will effectively remove up to 99% of the contaminants found in your water. The final result is high-quality water that simply put, tastes great!

26. What types of contaminants does Corrigan's Reverse Osmosis System remove?
    • Total Dissolved Solids
    • Lead
    • Arsenic
    • Radium
    • Chromium
    • Chlorine
    • Pesticides and Herbicides
    • Other unpleasant taste and odor causing contaminants

27. How will I know the R.O. is working?

    You will be able to tell by the taste and clarity of the water. For example, ice cubes made with R.O. water are harder and clearer. When tap water ice cubes melt you will notice sediment at the bottom of your glass; not the case with melted ice cubes made from a Corrigan advanced reverse osmosis system.

28. Is it necessary to change the filters in the R.O. every six months?

    We suggest changing your pre-filter every six months, carbon post-filters once or twice a year, and the membrane every 2 to 4 years, to ensure optimal water quality.

    At Corrigan, we understand that with today's busy lifestyle remembering to change your filters may not be your top priority. That's why we will send you a friendly email reminding you when it is time for a filter change. Simply order online or call one of our friendly customer service representatives at (800) 462-6478 for all of your replacement filter needs.

29. How much does it cost to replace the filters?

    Prices vary depending on the water filtration system but an average system costs less than $8/month. That's an endless supply of high-quality, great tasting water for a fraction of the cost of bottled water.

30. Does the R.O. Unit have to be mounted under the kitchen sink?

    No. Corrigan offers a variety of flexible advanced reverse osmosis systems that can be installed in just about any location in your home.

31. Can the R.O. be connected to my icemaker too?

    Absolutely! Corrigan's advanced reverse osmosis systems are designed to be centrally installed and deliver high-quality drinking water to ice-makers, refrigerators, coffee makers or anywhere else that water quality is important.

    Service

32. Where does Corrigan Water Solutions offer service?

    Corrigan is located in Gurnee, Illinois. We currently offer service in Northern Illinois, Chicagoland, the Rockford, Greater Milwaukee and Madison areas. We will gladly ship any of our products to any location across the world.

33. I need technical support.

    Call us locally at (847) 263-5955 and one of our knowledgeable service technicians will gladly be of assistance.

Commercial Systems

• Bottle-less Water Coolers
• Commercial Water Systems
• Food Service Filtration
• Outdoor Cooling
• Go Green

Residential Systems

• Bottle-less Water Coolers
• Drinking Water Systems
• Whole House Systems
• Go Green