CEO, Philip J, Kraus, explains that people are incorrect to talk about water filtration as if it were a generic term. He explains that water treatment and filtration systems vary and are designed to do different things. Read on

Water conservation is on the minds of property managers and building owners as buildings install individual water meters and the DEP switches from a flat-rate frontage water charge to one based upon actual consumption. Philip Kraus, President of Fred Smith Plumbling & Heating, Co., Inc. notes that water and sewer rates increased to $3.16 per cubic fee of water (per 748 Gallons) in July, 1997, up form $.66 per cubic feet in 1980. Given the likelihood that these rates will not decline in the future, Mr. Kraus recommends multiple ways that co-ops and condos can reduce water consumption. For the complete article, click here.

While the Department of Health’s regulations require annual roof tank cleaning as a necessary measure to safeguard the quality of the residents’ drinking water, compliance is virtually voluntary since landlords are allowed to police themselves. Philip Kraus, President of Culligan Water Conditioning of New York City notes that tanks left to “silt up” can easily become contaminated and a host for bacteria, and should be cleaned annually. East Side Assemblyman Steve Sanders’ office reports that the Department of Health inspects less than 20 tanks per year — out of 20,000 citywide — and that Mr. Sanders seeks a solution to the problem even if it requires state legislation. If you are interested in learning more about the City’s enforcement — or lack thereof — of the Health Code regarding the santization of roof tanks, you may find this article of use.

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“If you live in a Manhattan apartment building and have a plumbing problem, you can’t do better than Fred Smith Plumbing & Heating”, says the Daily News in its Best of New York column. While Fred Smith focuses only on maintenance and emergency repair services for Manhattan’s luxury co-op and condos, “Philip Kraus, CEO of Fred Smith, can afford to be this choosy because he is widely perceived as the best in this narrow field.” The company has a very loyal following and most of their customers — managing agents, on-site property managers and co-op board presidents — have been with Fred Smith for over 30 years.

To view the PDF version of this article, click here.