It's easy to fall for water filter scams when you are desperate for clean healthy water. It is also very easy and common to buy a cheap home water filtration system at an inflated price. But the more you know about possible scams, the better you will be prepared not to fall for one. Knowledge is power! So you will not be the next water filter victim and you will buy the best system that fits your need or the need of the whole house. Here is a list of a few water filter scams by a few of bad salespeople:

1. When a water filter salesperson comes to your door with grim news that your drinking water supply comes from recycled wastewater and you may need a water treatment system in your house.
2. When a water purifier representative tells you that your local tap water contains cancer-causing chemicals that cause deformities of babies.
3. When a water filter company comes with unverifiable scientific data proclaiming the benefits of its supposedly energized mineral water.
4. When a food giant company claims that their bottled water “comes from a lush spring tucked deep in the woods of Maine.”
5. When a salesperson  comes to your house with unsolicited claims that he or she can sell a camping water filter and water purifier that will make untreated water in the wilderness safe to drink.
6. A water filter company claims their water filter is approved by USEPA and it will remove certain harmful chemicals in your drinking water.
7. A filter manufacturer claims their water filter system is NSF-certified when in fact the filter was simply tested or the unit (not the filter) was certified.  Some housing units may be certified for integrity while the filter may not.
8. Someone comes to your door to peddle water-testing kits and then warns you that your tap water contains high lead or chlorine or other harmful contaminants. This in an attempt to sell you his or her overprized and non-certified water filter system.
9. A water filter salesperson who pretends to be  from a local water authority representative comes to your door asking you to participate in a “water survey.” (Here is additional story about the City of Ottawa, Canada, residents who are directly contacted by persons claiming to be city employees-- updated 4/1/10)
10. A water filter peddler tells you there had been a chemical spill near your water supply and your house water may not be safe to drink, and then tried to convince you to have your water tested so you can buy you their expensive filter.

How to avoid a possible water filter scam:

1. You can simply contact your Water Authority to confirm any claim of water contaminations. If there is problem you will hear in the news. You should also have received an annual report about the condition of your water supply.
2. You can buy a home water testing kits to confirm the presence of some contaminants in your water, or contact your local water authority for information about a possible free testing program in your community.
3. Check NSF website to confirm claims that a filter is NSF-certified. There is a lot of information about drinking water treatments on this site.
4. Confirm with EPA any claims that a water purifier is EPA-approved. Note: EPA does not certify water filters.
5. Don’t give in to pressure to buy overpriced, unreliable and untested water filter for your house. Take a deep breath, ask the salesperson to come back and do some of the suggestions listed above.