Waltron is one of the worlds oldest water chemistry companies. It was started in 1903 by chemists who introduced drinking water chlorination to a range of clients before the first citywide chlorination system in the United States was installed. The company has been involved with many technical innovations, including the first modern boiler water treatment, ultraviolet drinking water purifiers whose performance resulted in the first acceptance of UV by the U.S. Public Health Service, the first widely used oil pollution monitor and management of the first nuclear water chemistry program on a commercial ship. In 1991 Waltron divided into three companies: Waltron, in Whitehouse N.J., manufactures water quality instruments for ultra pure water applications and potable water chlorinators for military field applications; CalciQuest, in Charlotte N.C., manufactures NSF certified drinking water treatments used by more than 2000 municipalities throughout North America; and Hedges & Brother, in Washington, N.J., manufactures valves, strainers and instrument components.