Many effective products are available for home use that improve water quality. However, the increased attention on water safety serves as an invitation for con artists and unscrupulous sellers, who use deception and scare tactics when selling home water treatment equipment. Water treatment devices or systems may be referred to as water "purifiers," "filtration systems" or water "conditioners.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consumer protection divisions of state attorney general offices report that water purifier fraud is growing rapidly all across the United States. People engaging in fraud are not sneaky-looking characters slinking around with slouchy hats and shiny shoes, as sometimes portrayed in warnings about consumer fraud. Successful con artists are appealing individuals who can gain your full trust and confidence. They have an unusual understanding of human nature. They know how to use people's feelings of fear, insecurity, vanity, power, or desire to get "a good deal." Rather than selling a water treatment system on its merits, some companies choose to prey on the public's fears that the water isn't safe.

No tap water is 100 percent pure, and many people have limited knowledge about what is safe water. Also, consumers may have little information about the functions and limitations of home water treatment systems. As a consequence, some people buy expensive water treatment equipment they don't need, to cure problems that don't exist.

Hundreds of letters are sent telling consumers that they are "prize winners" if they call within a time limit, such as three days. This creates pressure on the consumer to act. Or, a television spot or a print media advertisement may give a number to call for more information.

IN FACT - Even though consumers are "guaranteed" to be winners of "prizes," claimed to be worth several thousand dollars, often the more valuable prizes are not awarded. "Grand prize winners" may receive a cash value certificate but often find that the certificate may be used only to purchase certain water treatment services, supplies, or devices. Other "winners" receive a less expensive award, such as a year's supply of a special system cleaner. Consumers who receive a "travel package" may discover it does not include airfare or meals, and there may be stringent restrictions as to when and where the travel package can be used. Jewelry prizes are usually of low value, and home entertainment systems may be of inferior quality.

The water treatment devices are represented as having a high dollar value, such as $500.

IN FACT - Typically, devices sold by mail or telephone promotions are faucet attachments or cartridges which sit on the counter or under the sink. True estimated value is often $50 or less.

The seller describes the nation's drinking water as being in a deplorable state and claims that his or her company's product is one of only a few water purification systems tested and registered with the Environmental Protechon Agency (EPA).

IN FACT - The EPA does not "test," "approve," "disapprove," or "recommend" water treatment devices. An EPA number is assigned if a manufacturer claims that the device inhibits or reduces bacteria in the water or on the filter. Some ratings of water purifier devices and manufacturers are done by the National Sanitation Foundation, a non-profit organization, and the Water Quality Association, which is a trade association. EPA develops and oversees the implementation and enforcement of regulations for drinking water by public water systems.

The seller claims that the water purifier can completely remove a variety of contaminants such as bacteria, salmonella, chloroform, radon, arsenic, lead, mercury, pesticides, solvents, and asbestos.

IN FACT - No single home water purification system is capable of removing all contaminants. Different types of substances require different types of treatment systems.

Customers may be assured that if they are not sahsfied with the water purifier they can cancel the purchase and get a full refund within 30 to 60 days.

IN FACT - It may be impossible to get a refund. There may be stipulations such as a "restocking fee" (e.g., 25 percent of the purchase price) which means the consumer loses some of the money paid. This information typically is not revealed until after the consumer has made the purchase.

Customers may be told that the filtering system is virtually maintenance free, or that a filter will last 12 to 15 months.

IN FACT - Not only are claims about minimal maintenance false and misleading, they can create a potential health threat if they are taken seriously. Regular maintenance of any water treatment system is critical to its effectiveness. Inadequate cleaning and/ or failure to replace the filtering parts of the treatment system may create serious health hazards because bacteria and other contaminants become concentrated in the filtering system.

Exaggerated promises are made about the amount of water that the treatment device will process.

IN FACT - The amount of water a treatment device can process is related to both its size and type. Some water treatment devices require several hours to produce one gallon of treated water.

The caller may offer to have a check or money for the water purifier system picked up at the consumer's home. And the consumer is told that this is necessary to meet the deadline for the "special promohon" and be eligible for the "prizes." Or, the customer is given a special number for free Express Mail.

IN FACT - Legitimate businesses do not engage in such practices.

"Researchers" and Water Quality Inspectors

Free Water Testing Done in the Home

The in-home test will show there are minerals in your water, and perhaps the acidity/alkalinity level. The testing procedures use a chemical that combines with dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magrlesium, and causes them to settle to the bottom of the bottle. Keep in mind that all water, except distilled water, contains some minerals. In general, the presence of minerals is not a health threat. In fact, many of the minerals are beneficial to the body. However, some do cause water hardness and an undesirable taste.

Another demonstration uses a face cloth that you previously washed. The demonstrator will put the cloth and a water softening agent into a jar of your tap water and shake vigorously. Suds will occur in the bottle. This is normal as some detergent residue remains in all washed articles.

These free, in-home "water quality tests" are merely sales ploys designed to sell you a water treatment system. Often the "test report" on your tap water is given in a way that implies that your water contains a lot of minerals that are not good for your family's health.

Usually the people who do the home testing will require that both spouses of a married couple be present for the demonstration. This prevents one spouse from using a delaying tactic by insisting on talking to the other spouse before making a decision to buy a water treatment system.

The Electric Precipitator

Taste and Appearance

Harmful contaminants in water are often more difficult to test for than the common minerals in tap water. For example, lead is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but may be harmful at even very low concentrations in water. Tests for lead, and most other contaminants that are health concerns, require special equipment and complex procedures. Tests for most potentially harmful water contaminants cannot be done in your home.

Protection from Deceptive Sales Practices

• When dealing with telephone sales, learn what city the company is calling from; get a specific address.
• Ask the caller his or her name.
• Ask for information about the product in writing before you agree to buy.
• Check the company's record with the Better Business Bureau in the city where it is located.
• Don't buy something merely because you'll get a "free gift."
• Don't give your credit card number to anyone who calls on the phone.
• Don't send money by messenger or overnight mail. If you use money rather than a credit card, you will lose some power to dispute the charges.
• If you are uncomfortable with being pressured to buy, HANG UP!
• Use the work sheet, "Purchasing a Water Treatment Device," to help you prepare for a visit from a salesperson.

Be cautious about letting someone into your home for "free testing" of your drinking water. Understand that this is merely a sales ploy to convince you that you need a water treatment system. Do not feel you must give personal information (such as "Do you own your home?") to someone doing a survey. When a "water problem" is identified for you, do not panic. Thank the person for the information and say you will check on the problem. Keep in mind that salespersons are not scientists. They are not trained to make judgments on the safety of your tap water.

Be an Informed Consumer

If you have a well, your local health department can test your water or tell you who to send it to for testing.

If you still want to have other tests done on your water, there are several options you may exercise. For a bacterial test, contact your county health department office. Charges for a bacterial test range from $10 to $50 dollars. To test for chemical contamination, contact your local water system or a certified laboratory. Private testing laboratories are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book; make sure they are certified by the state health department. Tests for chemical contaminants range from $10 to several hundred dollars.

Invest time reading about water quality and health "risk" factors. Understand the difference between harmful "contaminants" and the minerals commonly found in our water supply that pose no health risks. Such information can be quite enlightening.

In summary, learn what home water treatment systems can (and cannot) do so you can evaluate what a seller is promising. Asking a lot of questions is okay! Asking for additional information is okay! Asking to have another testing agency verify the results is okay! It is okay to be skeptical! You are much better off not buying than spending your money for something that may have limited or no benefits.

____ acidity	 ____ cadmium	    ____ hydrogen sulfide gas  ____ nitrate

____ alkalinity	 ____ chloride	    ____ iron		       ____ organic chemicals

____ arsenic	 ____ conductivity  ____ lead		       ____ sediment

____ bacteria	 ____ hardness	    ____ mercury	       ____ sodium sulfate

4. Is the supplier reputable and reliable? ____ Yes _____ No

7. Does the treatment system need specially treated water to function properly?

9. Have you compared the volume of water available from the treatment system to the volume needed by your family?

18. Replacement costs:

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