By Deb Risden
Seth Hawkins started Colorado Water Guy, a residential and commercial water treatment company, about a year ago. Hawkins wants to help people not only understand what is in their water but also how they can improve its quality.
The company serves El Paso County residents and businesses with water testing, filtration systems and education to help customers find solutions that best fit their needs and budgets.
Hawkins spent 10 years as a full-time pastor before entering the water industry in 2013. He now operates Colorado Water Guy with his son Samuel Hawkins, who manages the company’s retail store at 11910 Tourmaline Drive, Suite 130. At this location, customers can explore filtration equipment options, see system demonstrations, schedule consultations and arrange water testing.
The store also offers reverse osmosis water for 50 cents per gallon. Customers can bring their own containers or purchase 5-gallon water jugs, 1.5-gallon bottles and half-gallon glass bottles.
One of the first steps in determining a customer’s needs is a free in-home or commercial building consultation that includes water testing to help identify appropriate treatment options.
“Individuals or families sometimes have different goals and concerns that are their priorities,” Hawkins said. “The most common is the water tastes bad and they’re not sure what it is; they don’t know if it’s dangerous contaminants, or maybe unsafe chlorine levels.”
Some customers are aware of hard water issues that cause scale buildup on showerheads, faucets and appliances. Others hear about water contamination from neighbors or on social media and want to know whether their water contains contaminants, he said.
Hawkins encourages consumers to research their local water through the Environmental Working Group’s tap water database (https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/)). On the website, the public can search for information about contaminants in their water by ZIP code and water utility.
“They are a nonprofit organization that is not selling filtration systems or anything else; they are a third party,” Hawkins said.
He believes consumers should understand that legal limits and health-based recommendations are not always the same and that scientific knowledge about water contaminants continues to evolve.
“Water quality is a moving target,” Hawkins said.
Water quality varies considerably depending on the source and location, he said. El Paso County has numerous municipal water systems, each with its own characteristics, and some properties rely on well water. Water quality can also change seasonally or following municipal maintenance, water line breaks or changes in disinfection practices.
After testing, Hawkins works with customers to evaluate various water treatment options.
“One system does not fit every situation,” he said.
Whole-house filtration treats water entering the home, helping address concerns that affect plumbing and bathing. Under-sink reverse osmosis systems provide comprehensive treatment for drinking water. Hawkins said many customers choose both to address different water quality concerns throughout their homes.
Customers can purchase equipment outright or take advantage of the company’s equipment rental or rent-to-own programs. Hawkins said appropriate and effective water treatment is more affordable than people might expect. For example, an under-sink reverse osmosis system is available for $49 per month through the rental program, which includes regular service and filter changes.
For Hawkins, customer service is as important as technology. He and his wife have four sons, and the entire family participates in the business. Samuel operates the store, helps customers with water purchases and filtration questions, and schedules consultations. Their youngest son, 6, helps create marketing videos for social media and advertising.
“Our No. 1 core value is (that) we prioritize people over projects and progress,” Hawkins said. “Customers often remember how they were treated as much as the solutions they found.”
The family’s goal is to provide honest recommendations, effective options and personal service while keeping prices affordable.
