Water Treatment for Metal Finishing

Precision-engineered water systems for plating, corrosion control, and finishing operations

High-performance water treatment is essential in metal finishing environments. Whether you’re involved in electroplating, anodising, galvanising, or powder coating, water plays a crucial role in surface preparation, chemical baths, rinsing stages, and final finishing.

AllWater provides bespoke water treatment for metal finishing operations, helping manufacturers meet process requirements, reduce chemical use, recover valuable resources, and comply with strict discharge regulations. Our systems are proven in environments ranging from automotive and aerospace plating to architectural metalwork and industrial coatings.

Water Challenges in Metal Finishing Applications

Water is used throughout the finishing process, and its quality directly affects surface adhesion, coating durability, and environmental compliance. Key challenges include:

  • Ensuring consistent rinse water quality to avoid staining or residue
  • Managing metal-laden wastewater and acidic effluents
  • Preventing scale build-up in heated baths
  • Controlling pH and conductivity during electrochemical processes
  • Reducing water and chemical usage without compromising quality

AllWater’s experience in designing integrated systems helps address each of these challenges; protecting your operations, your reputation, and your bottom line.

Integrated Water Treatment Solutions

Plating Water Systems

From pre-treatment to rinse recovery, AllWater supplies tailored plating water systems to support your specific metal finishing application. We offer:

  • Water softeners to reduce scaling in immersion tanks
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) units to provide consistent feedwater for rinses
  • Deionisation (DI) systems for high-purity process water
  • Closed-loop rinse water recycling to reduce consumption and discharge
  • Control panels and dosing systems for pH, conductivity, and anti-corrosion agents

Our systems help maintain product quality while improving chemical efficiency and reducing waste.

Wastewater Treatment for Metal Finishing

Finishing processes generate effluents that contain dissolved metals (e.g. zinc, nickel, chromium), acids, cyanides, phosphates, and surfactants. AllWater supplies robust wastewater solutions including:

  • Metal precipitation and filtration systems
  • pH correction and acid neutralisation
  • Batch and continuous treatment configurations
  • Sludge dewatering and safe disposal solutions
  • Outfall monitoring and discharge control

These systems are designed to ensure full compliance with Environmental Agency limits and reduce operational risk.

Corrosion Prevention Water Treatment

Water used in rinsing and cooling stages can affect corrosion resistance if not properly treated. AllWater provides corrosion prevention water treatment solutions using:

  • pH and alkalinity adjustment systems
  • Anti-corrosion dosing (e.g. phosphate, molybdate)
  • Closed-loop cooling water treatment
  • Conductivity-based dosing control

Our systems protect parts post-treatment and help prolong the life of metal surfaces during storage, shipping, or further processing.

Finishing Process Water Quality Control

Each stage of metal finishing relies on tight control of water parameters such as temperature, pH, resistivity, and dissolved solids. AllWater offers:

  • Water analysis instruments for real-time monitoring
  • Flow and pressure sensors for tank recirculation
  • Dosing systems for chemical control
  • Telemetry and SCADA integration for full oversight

We work with you to maintain precision across every process step, from etching to final rinse.

Our support includes

Telephone & remote diagnostics for rapid fault identification

System troubleshooting and root cause analysis

Planned service visits tailored to your production schedule

Guidance on optimisation, upgrades and retrofit options

Ongoing training and user support post-installation

On-site engineering support from qualified specialists

Designed for Your Application

AllWater systems are custom-built to suit your production line, process chemistry, and compliance requirements. We support:

  • Manual and automated lines
  • Barrel, rack, and continuous plating systems
  • Small-scale finishing operations
  • High-volume industrial coating facilities
  • In-line and centralised water treatment setups

Every system is optimised for flow rate, chemical compatibility, and space availability, with options for skid-mounted, containerised, or fixed installations.

Compliance and Sustainability

Metal finishing operations face increasing scrutiny over effluent discharge, chemical use, and water consumption. AllWater helps you:

  • Meet EA discharge limits for metals, pH, COD, and temperature
  • Reduce water use through reuse and recycling
  • Minimise chemical handling and storage risks
  • Automate compliance reporting with integrated monitoring

We also support WRAS approval, ISO 9001:2015 quality systems, and environmental management best practices.

Commonly Treated Processes

  • Electroplating (zinc, nickel, copper, chrome, etc.)
  • Anodising (aluminium and titanium)
  • Phosphating and conversion coating
  • Galvanising
  • Passivation
  • Pickling and descaling
  • Powder coating preparation and post-treatment

Whatever your surface finish, we can help ensure your water systems perform to the same high standards.

Why Choose AllWater Technologies?

  • In-depth experience with metal finishing environments 
  • Fully integrated clean and wastewater solutions
  • Tailored systems for rinse, cooling, and effluent stages
  • Automation, monitoring, and ongoing service support
  • UK-based engineers and WRAS-compliant equipment
  • Proven results in plating, aerospace, and general manufacturing

We don’t just deliver water treatment systems—we support your business with robust, reliable, and future-proof solutions.

Committed to Excellence

Need Better Water Treatment for Your Finishing Line?

AllWater designs complete water treatment and wastewater solutions for metal finishing. Contact us to discuss how we can support your process, reduce your environmental impact, and protect your product quality.

"We have been very happy with AllWater’s professionalism and response times when we have needed help with the plant. The staff are all very helpful and knowledgeable and we are very satisfied with the service provided."

Jamie Davies

Turnspeed

"We needed a DI plant that is capable of producing the processing water to serve our Chemical Process lines twelve rinse tanks, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week at a max of 20.00 μS/cm. The water plant is now consistently cleaning the water to 1.00 μS/cm."

Steve Silk MBE

Marshall Aerospace

"We have built a good relationship with AllWater and continue to enjoy service contracts with them. They know what they’re doing and we’re always happy with their service"

Andy Best

Production Director - Vertik-Al

"We needed a DI plant that is capable of producing the processing water to serve our Chemical Process lines twelve rinse tanks, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week at a max of 20.00 μS/cm. The water plant is now consistently cleaning the water to 1.00 μS/cm’"

Amelia

Production Manager

"AllWater Technologies installed their pure water system in our premises to replace our old system which went into retirement. The level of service and maintenance that AllWater are giving us will ensure that we get the quality of product and the length of service we are looking for out of our plant. Their level of service is excellent."

John Malone

excel gs ltd

"Thank you for all your support. I have to say that I am really impressed with All Water approach to provide a really good service. Thank you again."

Radu Vitanescu

Liberty Engineering

"AllWater have provided great service, specialist advice and an effective waste water treatment solution for our site."

Paul Pearcy

Warburtons

"AllWater have always delivered us a great service and are equally competent maintaining existing kit or installing new. They’re friendly and reliable and, perhaps most importantly, trustworthy."

Phil Parkinson

Joseph Holt

"AWT professional service allows our site to run with minimal downtime when unplanned breakdowns happen. AWT service is invaluable in maintaining our production lines throughout."

Adam Cook

Qsil

"The person was very polite and explained everything in detail. Report was typed and easy to understand."

Richard Fox

London and Brighton Plating

"We are more than satisfied with the level of service we receive from everyone at AWT. Excellent work, Thank you!"

Daniel Holden

Karas Plating

"AllWater Technologies provide an exceptional level of knowledge and support, and we cannot fault their service and commitment. The team consistently exceed expectations and although others may offer a cheaper alternative, we have every confidence that they could not offer better!"

Eric Allen

Albumedix LTD

"By using AWT we know that our plant and equipment is being maintained to the highest standard using the expertise and knowledge that we find second to none. When issues arise it is paramount that we can resolve these issues promptly; AWT are always there to support us."

Allen Staunton

Creganna Medical

"Using All Water Technologies has been a breath of fresh air. Their attentive service from the first call through to delivery completion, has made the management of our water treatment plant very easy indeed. We wash over 2.5 million items of tableware for the event industry every year, working at some of the UK’s most prestigious events, so having peace of mind over our washing operation is essential. I would recommend AWT to anyone’"

Joe Nisbet

Jongor Hire

"AWT offered Rimex a bespoke solution to our water softening and storage requirements. They took charge and managed the project efficiently and effectively from the very beginning. I am delighted with the outcome and I will continue to use AWT for preventative maintenance and any other future projects."

Daniel Meakin

Rimex Metals

"All went very well with the plant being well finished, installation being of a high standard and all works being completed on time and to specification."

Dom Oughton

Optimum

Ready for Support?

Unsure how to optimise water treatment for your industry? Our team is here to help. We’ll assess your requirements, design a solution, and provide the quality, reliability, and service you deserve. Reach out to discuss how we can help you achieve your operational goals.

Get in touch today to discuss your requirements.

Let’s keep your systems running at their best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This depends on the type of metal, the chemicals used, and the process steps. Most systems benefit from softening, RO, and DI, alongside rinse water recycling and discharge treatment.

Yes. We offer counterflow rinsing, closed-loop recycling, and conductivity-controlled dosing to help cut water use without affecting finish quality.

Yes. We offer systems for Cr(VI) reduction, including pH adjustment and safe sludge handling, in line with discharge regulations.

We do. Our multi-year contracts help you lock in pricing, reduce admin, and ensure uninterrupted support, calibration, and servicing.

Water Treatment Case Studies

Explore our case studies to see how AllWater Technologies has partnered with clients across various industries to design and deliver tailored water treatment solutions. Each project highlights our commitment to meeting exacting standards, solving unique challenges, and optimising water management processes to help our clients achieve their operational goals. Discover how our expertise and dedication to quality have made a real difference for businesses just like yours.

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Aero Fabrications Ltd
A specialised engineering firm in aerospace manufacturing, Aero Fabrications Ltd. sought support for its business expansion. To meet this need, AllWater Technologies designed and installed a comprehensive water treatment...
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Turnspeed Precision Engineering
Turnspeed, a renowned specialist in automotive component manufacturing, collaborated with AllWater Technologies to address challenges in implementing a new plating process.
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Kingsley Beverages
AllWater Technologies provided a complete, turnkey water treatment system for Kingsley Beverages’ new canning line, handling everything from concept and design to build and ongoing management.
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Marshall Aerospace
Marshall Aerospace, a leading MRO and Aerospace component manufacturing facility, faced a critical challenge when relocation there Manufacturing and Special Processes facility to a new site, i...
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Vertik-Al Ltd
Vertik-Al, a leading provider of vertical and horizontal Aluminium powder coating for the architectural Aluminium industry, faced a critical challenge when European regulations...
READ ARTICLE

A Handful of our Valued Clients

Get in Touch with AllWater Technologies

We’re here to help with all your water treatment needs. Whether you have questions about our services, want to discuss a project, or need support, our team is ready to assist you. Fill out the form for general enquiries, or you are welcome to email direct or give us a call.

AllWater House

Unit 2,

Cheddar Business Park,

Wedmore Road,

Cheddar

BS27 3EB

Opening hours

Mon-Fri: 08:30-17:30 (GMT)