The Ultimate Water Treatment Device

By Bob Buchanan, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Barrhead

Such companies often resort to high pressure sales, catchy gimmicks or scare tactics to convince people to buy their water treatment devices. Too often the customer purchases hundreds or thousands of dollars of treatment equipment to correct a water quality problem he does not have. In other cases, the treatment company salesman is poorly trained and supplies the wrong type of treatment equipment.

A good example of the improper use of treatment equipment is activated carbon filters. The filters are generally sold as small replaceable cartridges with total unit costs from $30.00 to $300.00. Activated carbon filters were designed for removing taste and odour from municipal water supplies, where the water is first disinfected. Nevertheless, millions of dollars of these filters are sold to improve rural water supplies. The filters, although initially effective, become a haven for bacteria growth which increases human health risks. Health Canada recommends that activated carbon filters not be used on rural untreated water supplies.

Because the water treatment industry is not regulated, customer knowledge and education is the only way to avoid scams involving water treatment devices. If you are concerned about your water quality, start with a thorough independent water analysis. Independent water testing is the only accurate way to know what is or isn't in your water, and what device might best remove unwanted substances in the water.

Keep in mind that water wells rarely become seriously contaminated. Generally, if contamination occurs, there are noticeable changes in the well water, including taste, odour, colour and sediment.

Across the Prairies, there are a number of reliable private and government laboratories that will test water. Local health units and provincial agriculture offices can refer you to a lab and will point out concerns with your water and recommend ways of improving it. They also have a number of publications to help you understand your water analysis and the various water treatment devices available on the market.

After you have decided what needs to be improved in your water, it is time to select the most appropriate treatment device. Remember that all treatment equipment has different purposes and limitations. Again, your water analysis along with some technical advice from an unbiased professional is advisable.

Now you are ready to invite several treatment companies to your home and obtain price quotes on the equipment you require. Start by checking out the performance capability of the equipment being sold.

Some of the best quality treatment equipment carries the seal of the U.S. National Sanitation Foundation.

• Check out the track record of the company through friends or previous clients, the Better Business Bureau, and Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
• Is the company a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association?
• Does the company have trained water treatment professionals or salesmen?
• What about after-sales service and warranty on the equipment?
• Is customer satisfaction guaranteed and if not, is money refunded? Some companies have been known to replace treatment equipment with lower-priced equipment and not refund the difference. (Also make sure these guarantees are in writing.)

• Don't purchase until you have thoroughly checked out the company, its product and compared the costs, services and warranty provided.
• Don't purchase until you feel comfortable making that decision.
• Don't purchase from companies using high pressure and/or scare tactics to sell their equipment.
• Be very careful when dealing with companies from outside the province.
• Be cautious with companies who rather than promote the merits of their company and products, spend all their time degrading their competition.
• Don't finance your purchase through the company or its financing agency or you may find yourself paying 25 to 35 percent interest charges.
• Watch the wording on equipment guarantees and warranties--sometimes they're not worth the paper they're written on.

I'd like to end on a positive note. There are some excellent companies who are water treatment professionals. They have well-trained technical staff and are willing to go the extra mile to satisfy clients. With their help, you and your water will be sparkling clean.