Beware of water-filtration scams

From time to time we see reports of unscrupulous firms trying to sell overpriced or useless water-treatment devices by offering to test tap water at no cost.  Free offers to test your water are almost always part of sales promotions, according to the Better Business Bureau and the U. S. Federal Trade Commission.
 
If your water is provided by Bonita Springs Utilities, it’s unlikely that you have water problems, but a practiced door-to-door salesman may show that you do. The salesperson uses a test kit that turns your water different colors or makes it look as if it has spider webs in it. What he won’t tell you is that the test kit would produce the same results in perfectly pure water. The goal is to scare you into buying an unneeded water-filtration system.

Here are some other sales tactics that are red flags:
 
Claims that your drinking water is polluted, contaminated or unhealthy. The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets and enforces standards for drinking water. BSU’s tap water, like all drinking water produced in the nation, is continuously tested and monitored. Our water consistently exceeds both state and federal standards.

Claims their equipment is government-approved. The government does not endorse water tests or water-treatment products. An Environmental Protection Agency registration number on a water filtration system means only that the manufacturer has registered its product with the EPA.

The promise of no maintenance: All filtration devices require some maintenance, even routine filter changes.

An assurance that the filter will remove all known contaminants. No water-purification device can remove every contaminant.

You’ve won a prize, but you haven’t entered a contest – and you have to buy the filtration system to receive it. You’re likely to find the water-filtration device costs hundreds or thousands of dollars, while the prize is worth very little.

If you are considering the purchase of a home water-filtration system, we recommend these steps:

First, check BSU’s annual Water Quality Report, which lists possible water contaminants and provides testing results. The report may provide all the reassurance you need. Before shopping for a system, arrange for an independent test. Have your water tested by a private laboratory that is certified by the state health department or environmental agency. You can find a list of certified Florida labs online at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/cgi-bin/aams/index.asp. Deal with the lab directly rather than relying on a salesperson to provide accurate, unaltered test results.
 
Do the research and decide what you need. Available systems range from low-cost kitchen faucet filters to expensive, sophisticated systems that treat all the water that flows into your home.

Once you decide on a system, be sure it has the capacity to meet both present and future needs. Read and understand the warranty. Ask about the installation process and cost, maintenance schedule and options for service and repairs.