Corporate Governance

Water System Wiki is dedicated to the highest standards of ethics, compliance, and corporate responsibility. We serve homeowners, renters, and pros who care about clean, safe, reliable water systems. Every policy below reflects hands-on experience in home water softening, water heaters, plumbing, and whole-home water solutions. Our governance framework protects the people we serve, the accuracy of our work, and the trust we earn—article by article, test by test, decision by decision.

Code of Business Conduct

Our Code of Conduct applies to all employees, editors, contributors, contractors, and board members of Water System Wiki. It guides how we research, test, and publish; how we evaluate suppliers and services; and how we interact with our community and partners. Integrity comes first. Always.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Zero tolerance. We prohibit any form of bribery, kickbacks, or “pay-to-play.” No one at Water System Wiki may offer, solicit, or accept money, gifts, trips, or favors to influence editorial coverage, rankings, certifications, or business decisions. Product samples provided for testing do not guarantee coverage, positive reviews, or awards. Sponsorships and affiliate relationships, when present, are clearly disclosed and never dictate outcomes. If a potential conflict arises, we disclose it and recuse as needed.

Fair Competition

We compete hard—and fairly. We do not enter into anti-competitive agreements, including price-fixing, market allocation, bid-rigging, or coordinated boycotts. Our comparisons are earned through transparent methods, field insights, and verifiable data. We never disparage competitors; we focus on facts, safety, performance, and value for consumers. When we update ratings or recommendations, we do so for one reason: better evidence.

Confidentiality

We rigorously protect confidential information shared by readers, partners, and sources. Prototype products, test data, pricing, or roadmaps provided under NDA remain secure and are used solely for agreed purposes. We minimize the data we collect, restrict access on a need-to-know basis, and use appropriate safeguards to protect personal information. Editorial drafts and investigative materials are handled with care to prevent premature disclosure and to protect source identity.

Risk Management & Compliance

  • Data Governance: We treat privacy and data integrity as mission-critical. Our privacy lead conducts periodic audits and training to align with GDPR, CCPA, and applicable local regulations. We follow principles of minimization, purpose limitation, and role-based access; vet third-party processors; and review our data retention schedules. When we test products that involve water quality, addresses, or on-site visits, any sensitive details are handled with heightened care.
  • Whistleblower Protection: We maintain a confidential reporting channel for employees, contributors, vendors, and the public. Report concerns to [email protected] or via our secure form at https://watersystemwiki.com/contact-us/. Reports can be anonymous. We prohibit retaliation, acknowledge receipt promptly, and investigate impartially with appropriate corrective action.

Supply Chain Ethics

We expect every vendor, lab, freelancer, and supplier we work with to uphold our Supplier Code of Conduct. Water touches lives. So do the people and processes behind the products and content we feature. Our expectations reflect that responsibility—across labor standards, safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance with applicable plumbing and water-quality regulations.

  1. Fair labor practices. No forced, child, or trafficked labor. Equal opportunity, lawful wages and hours, and freedom of association. Ethical sourcing and transparent subcontracting throughout the chain.
  2. Safe working conditions. A health-and-safety program that meets or exceeds local law, including training, protective equipment, and incident reporting. When handling heaters, softeners, chemicals, or heavy equipment, vendors must follow applicable safety, electrical, and plumbing codes.
  3. Environmental stewardship and waste reduction. Responsible water use and discharge practices, safe handling of brine and media from softeners, and efforts to reduce packaging, energy consumption, and emissions. Preference for recyclable materials and compliance with relevant standards and local regulations.