Trade associations have a vested interest in dramatizing water quality issues. Their members make and sell products that purportedly cure every water quality ill from "hardness" to cancer-causing pollutants. It is not uncommon for this type of water quality association to publish "research" that overstates the prevalence and severity of water pollutants of various types. Seldom is such research peer-reviewed for accuracy and sound scientific methodology, which makes the claims published by trade water quality associations suspect.

When trade water quality associations quote independent scientific researchers, such as the Environmental Protection Agency or Centers for Disease Control, they often quote the most worrisome findings out of context, exaggerating problems that may not be widespread or generally accepted among the scientific community. When you find references to independent studies on a trade water quality association website, it is wise to look up and read the independent source itself rather than rely upon the trade water quality association’s interpretation or "summary" of the findings.

Many states have trade water quality associations. National and international trade water quality associations exist, too. They all have the same purpose: to drum up business for their members. State-level trade water quality associations are good sources of local dealers for your specific water quality improvement needs.

Searching for the keyword phrase, "water quality association" will not yield many of the non-commercial type of water quality association. Some examples of governmental or non-profit "water quality associations" this search produces are:

The Federal Water Quality Association is a member association of the Water Environment Federation, a non-profit technical and education organization whose members include government executives, engineering professionals, consultants, members of the academic community, and others. The WEF works to preserve and enhance the global water environment through a network of 79 member associations in 30 countries.

The Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River (North Carolina). This grassroots organization works to improve the water quality and wildlife habitat surrounding the river. It supports county commission restrictions on subdivision development that may cause erosion and pollution from oil, gas, and chemicals washed from roadways and parking lots.

The California Stormwater Quality Association works to reduce water and shoreline pollution from substances washed into the environment by storms. Such pollutants range from baby diapers to petroleum products, pesticides and fertilizers. More effective stormwater management technologies and practices are developed through CSQA's efforts. Other states may have similar associations, particularly those on the coasts of large bodies of water.

Both types of water quality association share a goal of cleaner, healthier water supplies. But the trade variety focuses on paying customers and their in-home use, while non-commercial water quality associations are dedicated to the public good.