WATERLINK ACQUIRES WATER EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES

On the eve of the WEFTEC '96 conference and exposition in Dallas, <%=company%>, an integrated supplier of water and wastewater treatment technologies, today announced it has acquired Water Equipment Technologies of West Palm Beach, Florida, through a merger transaction.

"Water Equipment Technologies significantly extends Waterlinks's capabilities in water treatment," said Waterlink's president and CEO, Chet S. Ross. "We are now able to provide potable water treatment from sea water and other marginal sources, as well as ultrapure treatment for clients whose applications are critical, including semiconductors, electronics and kidney dialysis. In addition, in the wastewater segment, membrane technology is rapidly growing in importance for industrial and municipal applications. Membrane systems can separate a wide range of contaminants from water, affording a high degree of control over the ultimate quality which emerges from the system."

"We sought Water Equipment Technologies because it expands Waterlink's reach into the growing membrane segment," added Theodore F. Savastano, the company's chairman. "This acquisition is highly complementary and allows us to provide a broader selection of products and services to Waterlink's growing customer base."

Water Equipment Technologies specializes in advanced water treatment systems such as reverse osmosis (RO) systems, deionization (demineralization) systems, activated carbon systems, multi-media filters and an innovative cooling-tower treatment product that uses redox technology. The company manufactures large-scale systems and disposable sediment cartridge filters, sub-micron filter cartridges, activated carbon cartridges, filter housings and related equipment.

Waterlink, Inc. is a fast growing, integrated network of water and wastewater treatment expertise, products and services. It serves municipal and industrial water and wastewater flows worldwide, providing innovative and cost-effective products and systems. In addition to Water Equipment Technologies, companies within Waterlink network include Sanborn Technologies, of Medway Massachusetts, Great Lakes Environmental, of Addison, Illinois, <%=company%>, of Fall River, Massachusetts, Blue Water Services, of Manhattan, Kansas,<%=company%> , of Manhattan, Kansas and Waterlink (UK) Limited. Waterlink's corporate headquarters are located in Canton, Ohio.