Three “carefully crafted sales presentations”, disguised as “free in-home water testing”.

Water quality scam hits Brant
Posted September 17, 2009
Paris Star Online
www.parisstaronline.com

The County of Brant is urging customers to be cautious of a water quality testing scam making its rounds in the community recently.

County staffers have fielded numerous calls from area residents who’ve been contacted by “a representative of the government” regarding water quality testing in their home. An investigation, led by the county, has revealed that these calls are from a company selling point-of-use water treatment systems, which are used by homeowners to enhance water quality from the taps in their homes.

In a press release issued to The Paris Star, Water Division Manager Alex Davidson states there are only a few reasons why the county would ask to take a water sample from a consumer’s residence. A specific example would be if the consumer has called and reported a problem or anomaly. The county may also require a home sample if there was work done recently on a watermain in the area. Recent legislation regarding lead has resulted in the county having to conduct more tests in certain isolated areas.

“In all cases, sampling is performed by County of Brant employees who carry photo identification indicating they are employees of the county. This work is not contracted out,” said the press release.

Davidson also confirmed that all water supplied by the county’s municipal water systems meets the stringent requirements of the Minister of Environment’s regulations. The water quality control program consists of on-line analyzers that continuously monitor the water at all times. The county also takes regular water samples from specific locations throughout the water distribution system.

If a resident is contacted by anyone asking to take a water sample on behalf of the county, the resident can verify the legitimacy of the request by asking the person to show their photo identification. They can also contact the Water Division at 519-449-2451 or toll free from the St. George area at 1-888-250-2295, to verify that a staff member has been dispatched to their address.

False Claims by Water Treatment Supplier
October 23, 2009
www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca

The City of Kawartha Lakes would like to inform residents of Lindsay that there is a water treatment equipment supplier making false claims about the safety of the water supplied to Lindsay and Oakwood. This supplier is not affiliated with the City of Kawartha Lakes, nor does the City of Kawartha Lakes provide home water treatment equipment.

The home owner is contacted by phone asking if the home owner would like to participate in a water survey. The company then sends out a technician to “test” the home owner’s water. After completing the water testing, the technician tells the home owner that the water supplied to Lindsay is unsafe for drinking. While in the house, the technician will pressure the home owner to purchase water treatment equipment.

The City of Kawartha Lakes provides safe drinking water for the town of Lindsay and the village of Oakwood. The water supplied meets all Ontario Drinking Water Regulations and is tested each week for microbiological parameters. During 2008 over 700 samples of water were tested throughout the entire system. All water quality data for Lindsay and any City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Drinking Water System is posted on the City of Kawartha Lakes website at www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca.

Niagarans warned of water purification scam
Posted October 2009
Welland Tribune
www.wellandtribune.ca

THOROLD — Niagara Region and Niagara Regional Police are warning residents about questionable tactics involving the door-to-door sale of water purifying systems.

Residents are being approached by reverse osmosis water purification salespeople using a precipitator or jam jar purity test in attempt to prove all water, except that produced by their equipment, is unsafe to drink.

The region is reassuring residents the water produced by its treatment facilities and delivered to homes by a municipality, meets or exceeds strict provincial standards and is safe to drink.

The test being conducted by the salespeople in question results in a brown substance forming in the water.

This is a normal effect when passing an electric current through a sample of water containing natural minerals.

A typical reverse osmosis system will produce water with lower levels of minerals present and will therefore show no brown substance. This water is not any safer to drink than treated tap water, the region says.

People are asked to report such misleading sales pitches to police. Those with concerns about their water are asked to contact their municipality’s public works department, or the region’s water and wastewater division at 905-984-3690.