Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Water System Wiki (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and safeguards information when you access or use https://watersystemwiki.com (the “Site”). It also outlines the choices and rights you may have in relation to your information.

By visiting or using the Site, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree with this Policy, please discontinue use of the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to operate, maintain, and improve a website focused on home water softeners, water heaters, plumbing, and water systems. The information we collect falls into the categories below.

A. Personal Information
“Personal Information” refers to details that identify you directly or can reasonably be linked to you. We collect it only when you provide it to us voluntarily, such as when engaging with our contact forms or interactive features. This may include:

  • Contact Details: Your name and phone number or similar details you submit through our contact form (for example, when asking about water softeners, heater troubleshooting, or plumbing topics).
  • Account Information: If the Site offers account features and you sign up, we may collect a username, password, and basic profile information you choose to provide.
  • Communications: The contents of messages and inquiries you send to us, including follow-ups and support requests.
  • Transaction and Billing Data: If purchases, subscriptions, or bookings are made through the Site, we collect information needed to process payments (e.g., billing address). Payment processing is handled by third-party providers; full card details are not stored on our servers.
  • User-Generated Content: Content you choose to make public, such as comments, reviews, ratings, or questions posted on the Site.

B. Non-Personal Information
We also collect information that does not identify you personally, which helps us understand how the Site is used and how to improve it:

  • Usage Information: Pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, referring/exit pages, general location (e.g., city/country), and other diagnostic data related to Site interactions.
  • Device and Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type and identifiers, and similar technical details.

C. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies, pixels, and comparable technologies to recognize your browser or device and to collect information about how you interact with the Site.

  • Cookies: Small data files stored on your device. You can set your browser to refuse some or all cookies or to alert you when cookies are being placed. If you disable cookies, parts of the Site may not function as intended.
  • How We Use Cookies:
    • Remembering your preferences for future visits.
    • Measuring traffic, engagement, and performance to improve content about water softeners, heaters, plumbing, and related topics.
    • Supporting advertising, re-marketing, and analytics activities as described below.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for purposes that include:

  • Operating and Providing the Site: Delivering pages, tools, and features, including comment systems, guides, and resources for home water systems.
  • Processing Transactions: Handling orders, payments, returns, and similar activities if such features are offered.
  • Communicating with You: Responding to inquiries submitted through our contact form, sending important service messages, and providing updates about your interactions with the Site.
  • Marketing: With your permission where required, sharing information about content, products, services, or offers relevant to water softeners, water heaters, plumbing, and water systems. You can opt out of marketing at any time.
  • Personalization: Tailoring content and recommendations based on how visitors engage with the Site.
  • Site Improvement: Analyzing usage trends to refine our articles, tools, and user experience.
  • Legal, Security, and Safety: Detecting and addressing fraud, abuse, technical issues, and enforcing our terms to protect our users, the public, and our rights.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (For EEA and UK Users)

Where applicable, we rely on one or more of the following legal grounds to process your information:

  • Contract Necessity: To provide services or fulfill a transaction you request.
  • Legitimate Interests: To operate and enhance the Site, support marketing and analytics, and prevent abuse or fraud in ways that do not override your rights and freedoms.
  • Consent: When you have given clear permission (for example, to receive certain marketing communications or allow specific cookies).
  • Legal Obligations: To comply with laws and regulatory requirements.

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share information as described below and as otherwise permitted by law:

  • Service Providers: With vendors who help us operate the Site, provide hosting, process payments, deliver analytics, or support marketing and communications. These parties may access information only to perform services for us and must protect it.
  • Business Changes: If we undergo a reorganization, combination, asset transfer, or similar event, your information may be transferred as part of that process.
  • Legal and Safety: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms, protect our rights or property, investigate potential violations, or protect users or the public.
  • With Your Permission: We may share information for any purpose you authorize.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your Personal Information to third parties for their direct marketing.

5. Advertising

We may work with third parties that deliver advertising or provide measurement and analytics services. These partners may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your visits to this and other sites to serve interest-based ads. You can manage advertising preferences using your browser or device settings, and through available industry opt-out mechanisms. Limiting ads does not stop advertising entirely but may make ads less relevant to your interests.

  • Analytics: We use analytics tools to understand how visitors find and use our content so we can improve guides and resources related to water softeners, heaters, and plumbing systems.
  • Opt-Out: You can adjust cookie settings in your browser, use private browsing modes, or install reputable add-ons that block tracking technologies.

6. Data Security

We apply administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect Personal Information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Despite our efforts, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We keep Personal Information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy, including to meet legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. We consider the volume, nature, and sensitivity of the data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, the purposes of processing, and applicable legal requirements when determining retention periods.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your Personal Information, which can include:

  • Access and Portability: Request a copy of your Personal Information in a commonly used format.
  • Correction: Ask us to update or correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Deletion: Request that we delete your Personal Information under certain conditions.
  • Restriction: Request that we limit processing of your information in certain circumstances.
  • Objection: Object to processing, including direct marketing, where applicable.
  • Withdraw Consent: If processing is based on consent, withdraw that consent at any time.

To exercise your rights or submit a privacy request, please contact us through our contact page at https://watersystemwiki.com/contact-us/. We will respond within a reasonable time in line with applicable laws.

9. International Transfers

Your information may be processed or stored in jurisdictions other than where you reside. When we transfer Personal Information, we take steps designed to ensure an appropriate level of protection consistent with this Policy and applicable law.

10. “Do Not Track” Signals

The Site does not currently respond to browser-based Do Not Track signals. You can manage tracking through your browser settings and available privacy tools.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Site is intended for individuals aged 16 and older. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with Personal Information, please contact us at https://watersystemwiki.com/contact-us/ so we can take appropriate action.

12. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to websites or services not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any site you visit.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about our information practices.