The company is offering a catalytic water conditioner device to PHCC members along with perks such as a doubled warranty period. The product is a salt-free alternative to traditional water softeners and offers scale-reducing properties in residential and commercial applications. Rick Allen, Water by Design’s Chief Operating Officer, announced the company’s involvement during a press conference in April.

“The long-term goal is to bring to the PHCC a family of products in the water treatment, purification and filtration areas,” Allen said. PHCC and Water by Design initially will offer this product to the southern California market and then roll out to other regions over the next 12 months.

The PPL program began in 1997 as a way to counter the effects of related sales outside the industry. As part of the deal, products will only be marketed and sold through PHCC — and not through home centers. The products will be available through plumbing contractors, regardless of whether they are members of the association. The products are marketed with the PHCC logo and include better warranty packages for the consumer.

Water by Design’s involvement brings the number of companies involved in the PPL program to five. The other companies are Anaheim Manufacturing, Bradford White, Delta and Hammond Valve.

The PHCC-NA said it expected another company in the specialty piping market to announce its involvement in the product line in May. The first 30-second television commercial highlighting the PPL will roll out at the national convention in Nashville, Tenn., in October.