Heffernan Soft Water Systems

by Elyse Apel

The Watts family was excited to become a part of the Hillsdale community after buying Heffernan Soft Water Systems from the long-time owners, the Heffernan family. “We have known the Heffernans for years,” says Lindsay Watts, whose family bought the business.

Bill Heffernan recently passed away and is remembered dearly by all in the community, including the Watts family.

“We were so sad to hear of Mr. Heffernan’s passing,” Lindsay says. “Our goal is to continue his legacy in the community by continuing to provide everyone with great services and great products, just as he did.”

The Watts family remains committed to the Heffernan Soft Water Systems promise to save “the world’s water, one tap at a time.”

“The Heffernan family have just done so much for so many different organizations in the community and we plan to continue that beautiful legacy,” Lindsay says.

The Watts family has owned Tri-County Water for three generations, so it was an exciting opportunity to expand into Hillsdale, Lindsay says.

“Being in the same industry, we knew them from meetings and just generally working in close vicinity for so long,” she explains. “We all had a mutual respect for each other. And so when they decided it was time to retire, it was just a good fit for us.”

For the Watts, providing great water has always

been a family endeavor. Originally started by Darwin Watts in Leslie, Michigan, the company is now owned by his third generation grandsons, Daniel and David Watts.

“My husband’s grandpa started Tri-County Water back in the ‘60s, then his dad took over. Now, he’s the third generation to run it, and is doing that along with his brother. So, their family has been doing it forever,” Lindsay says. Heffernan Soft Water Systems and Tri-County Water both sell the same products and offer the same services, so the merging of the two companies has been very natural.

“The transition worked out so well, especially since we had known them for many, many years,” Lindsay says.

The water systems they offer are proudly and safely “made in the USA.” Both companies also have the same mission: to provide customers with better water through treatment expertise and a toptier customer service experience.

The Watts family took over operations at Heffernan Soft Water Systems last fall at the end of October and have kept on all the same staff and services as previously offered. Lindsay says the community has been very supportive and understanding with the few operational changes they did decide to make.

“The community response has been great. The people are so kind,” she says. ”Everybody’s been really understanding of the few things that we changed, like our software.”

Heffernan Soft Water Systems offers full-service water treatment for both homes and businesses. Services include consultations about water problems like hard water buildup, iron and mineral stains, bad-tasting or contaminated water, and more. It also offers drinking water systems and service of water softeners and conditioners.

Customers can receive a free water test by booking an appointment which allows them to analyze the safety and purity of their water quality. This test also helps identify each household’s exact water issue or issues correctly and choose a solution that best fits each unique situation.

“Our main goal is just to continue to provide a really great service,” Lindsay says. She adds that high standards were a priority for the Heffernan family and that her family plans to continue to meet those standards while also providing continuity for their employees and in the products and services they offer.

“The customers are used to great service and we are happy to always meet the high expectations of the community,” she says. “ We’ve made a lot of really good new friends, business owners who have reached out and welcomed us to the community, which has been really nice. Our main goal is just to continue to provide a really great service.”

There’s something unique to working in a family business and Lindsay says they are trying to both continue that atmosphere in Heffernan Soft Water Systems and share that with their employees as well.

It’s just been great to work with family. It’s always fun to work with your family, but it’s really good, too, because everybody really cares about each other,” she explains. “It really helps with the family atmosphere and values that we are trying to cultivate in all the workers.

Heffernan Soft Water Systems and Tri-County Water services Mid, West, and South Michigan and Northeastern Indiana counties. While Heffernan is centered in the Hillsdale community, Tri-County Water provides services in 20 different Michigan and Indiana counties, including Branch, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and many more. For a full list, visit tricountywater.com.

Linsday says they are excited to offer not only sales, installation, maintenance, and repair services, but also routine maintenance services like help with changing and replacing existing filters as well as deliver bottled water and water softener salt directly to homes or businesses.

“We offer a full-range of services to our customers,” she says.

For more information about Heffernan Soft Water Systems, visit heffernansoftwater.com or call (517) 955-2775.