PHAM NEWS | NOVEMBER 2026 Water & System Treatment 37 An honest dialogue


With various water treatment products on the market, how can installers select the right solution with confidence? Kevin Moore, MD of Kamco, highlights some important issues that are frequently overlooked and discusses a number of key questions that the industry needs to respond to.


industry about water treatment chemicals. Some questioned whether chemical treatment was necessary in every installation and how guidance such as BS 7593 should be applied. This prompted me to explore available products and alternative approaches that offer exciting opportunities. I wanted to understand how installers can confidently select, test and maintain the right treatment for each system. Cleaners and inhibitors were


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familiar products – a bottle of each was routinely supplied with every boiler order, but familiarity is not the same as understanding the science. Hearing different opinions encouraged me to question assumptions, including my own. I believe there is space for


both traditional chemical treatment and the low- salt approaches commonly associated with VDI 2035. It is not one size fits all, or simply one approach being right and the other wrong.


Things to consider The starting point should be the installation. What materials does it contain? Is it new or connected to older radiators and pipework? What is the incoming water quality? Is frost protection required? What problems have occurred previously? Traditional products


have distinct functions. Cleaners loosen and disperse contamination for removal through flushing. Inhibitors provide corrosion protection


fter we purchased Kamco in 2024, I became aware of differing views across the


and, depending on formulation, help control scale. Biocides address microbiological contamination where required, while inhibited glycol and heat transfer fluids provide a variety of other protective functions. Each product should earn


its place through suitability, correct application and demonstrable performance. Dismissing chemical treatment outright overlooks what individual formulations can deliver if used the right way.


Heat pumps For heat pumps, effective circulation, flow rate and heat transfer matter. A new heat pump inherits the condition of any existing circuit. Proper cleaning, flushing, commissioning and monitoring remain essential and corners cannot be cut. VDI 2035 provides guidance


on preventing scale formation and waterside corrosion. Its associated low-salt approach typically uses demineralised water to reduce dissolved salts and conductivity. Hardness, pH, materials and oxygen ingress also matter. Demineralisation does not remove the need to understand, maintain and test the installation. Whatever approach is


selected, it must satisfy applicable requirements and equipment manufacturers’ instructions. Following VDI 2035 should not automatically be assumed to satisfy UK requirements, but we know it will become a part of the future in heat pump system protection.


Other questions Practical factors matter too. When ion-exchange resin becomes exhausted, is it replaced, returned or


Undersink water filter


The Kingfisher from Doulton Water Filters is a new under-sink system developed using the company’s ceramic filtration technology. It provides a discreet installation while simplifying maintenance and fitting. Supplied with WRAS-approved fittings and tubing, the system


incorporates a patented auto shut-off valve that allows filters to be cleaned or replaced without turning off the water supply. The Kingfisher also uses the independently certified Biotect Ultra filter, which can reduce up to 99.99% of common contaminants. The system has undergone accelerated lifetime testing equivalent to up


to ten years of use, providing assurance that it is optimised for long-term performance. Manufactured in Staffordshire, Kingfisher has NSF International


certification and WRAS approval. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1126/59


regenerated? Where does the spent material go? I often hear that it is put in the bin, raising questions about its final destination and environmental factor. Chemical packaging deserves


equal scrutiny. Recyclability depends on the plastic, colour, residual contents and available facilities. Both approaches need clear disposal guidance and a fair assessment of their full lifecycle. Affordability is particularly


important in social housing servicing and installation, where providers balance limited budgets with reliable heating for residents. Across thousands of homes, treatment, commissioning and maintenance costs become significant. If an approach costs more,


what measurable benefit justifies that investment? Comparisons should cover equipment, consumables, labour, testing, top-ups, disposal and servicing. Comparing one bottle of inhibitor with reusable filling equipment is not a fair cost-per- installation comparison. Equally, repeatedly adding


a full bottle without checking system volume or existing concentration is not the answer. If a bottle treats 100 litres, dosing should reflect the actual volume and not just ‘add the bottle’.


Installer uncertainty Testing needs clarity. Conversations during our academy training suggest it is not yet a consistent part of every installer’s routine. Manufacturers and training providers have an opportunity to make it more practical and easy. BS 7593 recommends checking inhibitor concentration, and


suitable on-site tests can help installers verify the dosage level. However, an inhibitor test does not measure biocide concentration or confirm microbiological protection. In conversations with installers, I have encountered uncertainty about this distinction, which shows why clearer guidance is needed. Biocide presents a more


difficult testing challenge. There is no single, universal on-site test that confirms the remaining active concentration across different biocide formulations. Specialist tests exist for certain actives, but installers need product-specific guidance on their suitability and interpretation. A dipslide can help


identify bacterial or fungal contamination after incubation, but it does not tell an installer how much active biocide remains or how long protection will last. A low microbial count at the time of sampling is not proof of continued protection.


Staying informed For me, this is an important practical gap. If heat pump manufacturers recommend biocide, we should explain how its effectiveness can be monitored, what the available tests cannot establish and when further treatment is appropriate. At Kamco, we are making


the basis of our inhibitor formulation clear to support informed testing. Manufacturers should explain maintenance requirements. ‘Test the water’ needs a practical method. Our priority at Kamco is


better education, meaningful testing and honest conversations about cost, practicality and environmental impact. As water treatment manufacturers, we must increase our levels of support and guidance. Kamco will continue developing products supporting different treatment approaches, so for us the future is one of excitement. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1126/58


Limescale removal guarantee


The LimeStop from Scalgon comes with the reassurance of a full money-back guarantee that it really does stop limescale in combination boilers. According to the company, the guarantee has applied since the product was first launched back in 2003, and no one has ever made a claim. The in-line device uses 750g of silicate-polyphosphate (Siliphos) to inhibit limescale formation, which has a two-year life before it needs to be replaced. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1126/60


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