Our Purpose & Benefits

The purpose of our association, as stated in our bylaws, is as follows:

1. To provide a forum for the development and exchange of information relating to chemicals and other materials used or contemplated for use in the control of deposits, corrosion and microbiological growths in any and all water using systems.

2. To evaluate the performance, reliability and efficacy of equipment and equipment systems intended for controlling the additions of materials to and maintaining the most desirable chemical conditions in water using systems.

3. To consider and deal with common problems relating to management, federal and state government regulations and water treatment technology.

4. To conduct or engage in all lawful activities in furtherance of the foregoing purposes, or incidental thereto.



We believe that our members can offer these benefits to our customers:

1. Personalized Service - In most cases, the Associated Lab member concentrates on a limited number of metropolitan areas and, in fact, have been active in those areas for a number of years. Their customers know that their needs will be met in the future by the same team that has taken care of them in the past. It does not make any difference how good the chemical treatment is if the customer does not have someone to rely on to train his employees and assist in the proper application of those chemicals. Personalized service means “getting the job done” - repairing pumps, water meters or solenoid valves on site, expediting rush orders, even if it means delivering products in the salesman’s car; working closely with operating personnel to make sure they understand the treatment program, even if it means making a call at midnight to work with the third shift.

2. Local Manufacturing and Warehouse Facilities - In general, an Associated Lab member either manufactures or stocks chemicals in the same region in which their accounts are located. This minimizes delivery time and freight costs, and gives the Associated Lab member the flexibility to meet critical delivery dates.

3. Local Laboratories - Any unusual samples which are not analyzed on-site are typically analyzed in local laboratory facilities, which means the results are obtained quickly. Often, the results are reviewed by a technical director who has direct knowledge of the account from which the sample was received. In other words, the analysis is timely and meaningful. While many large, national companies have invested millions dollars in impressive research and development facilities, it is unusual when a customer can receive the same kind of direct support as he can from an Associated Laboratory member facility.

4. National Research & Development Support - Perhaps the most important benefit of membership in Associated Laboratories is the chance to stay current on technological advances in the water treatment industry. A large part of each semi-annual meeting is devoted to presentations by suppliers and individual members on new product developments. It used to be said that “water treatment chemicals are all alike,” and that it was the service which makes the difference. There was some truth to this statement – sulfuric acid, molybdate, sulfite and phosphate are examples of well-known commodities available to any water treatment company, large or small. However, with increasing environmental concerns and the proliferation of organic scale and corrosion inhibitors, sequestrants and dispersants, the choice of raw materials today is much more critical and complicated. Water treatment formulas today are not “all alike,” and Associated Lab member companies have a distinct advantage being able to share product development information in an open, meaningful forum.

In short, an Associated Labs member allows his customers to “have his cake and eat it, too.” The customer gets all the advantages of a local, service-oriented company without sacrificing the benefits of large-company research and development support.