Beware of water filter scams
Barwon Water has again received reports of deceptive tactics being used to sell expensive and unnecessary "water filtration systems".
In the past, our customers have been targeted by water filter salespeople via telephone surveys, letterbox drops and door-to-door sales.
Typically, these companies make misleading and inaccurate claims about our drinking water. Some have even claimed that Geelong residents are drinking recycled water.
Customers are urged to beware of deceptive tactics used to sell water filtration systems.
Sometimes, representatives from water filtration companies may attempt to give the impression that they are employees of Barwon Water, or are acting on our behalf.
We would like to reassure our customers:
- our drinking water is 100% safe to drink, and meets strict government-mandated requirements for quality
- we are not associated with any water filtration manufacturer, and we do not promote or endorse the use of domestic water filtration systems.
- our staff do not, and have never, conducted door-to-door sales, or telephone surveys promoting water filters
- our staff and their representatives wear uniforms and carry identification
- recycled water is not, and never has been, added to drinking water supplies in our region.
If you are targeted by water filter salespeople, we encourage you to contact us with as much information as you can.
You may also wish to lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Do I need a water filter or filtration system?
We do not believe there is any need to use domestic water filters.
The majority of our water is harvested in forested catchments and underground aquifers, and is filtered and disinfected at dedicated treatment facilities.
We must meet our obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Regulations.
In many cases, individual filter units do little to improve household water supply. It may be claimed that filters remove substances that are not even present in our water.
Customers considering purchasing a water filter should evaluate their own needs and any apparent benefits of individual filtration products.
It should be noted that there are situations, such as certain industrial applications and medical treatments, where the use of specific, purpose-built water filters may be suitable or necessary.
What about chlorine?
Chlorine is an essential additive to our water supplies. Chlorine destroys potential disease-carrying micro-organisms, and ensures your water is safe to drink.
Sometimes chlorine reacts with organic matter in pipes and creates a noticeable taste or smell. This does not pose any health risk.
Most domestic water filters do not, in themselves, remove chlorine. Simply letting water stand in a jug (for example in your fridge) will usually eliminate the chlorine taste and smell.
What about fluoride?
Fluoride is added to drinking water as directed by the Victorian Government and endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Fluoride is added to Geelong's and Colac's water supplies to reach an optimum dosage of one part per million. Despite a raft of available mis-information, fluoride in drinking water is completely safe at this level.
Different water filter manufacturers may claim to remove or deliberately retain fluoride. Very few domestic water filters actually affect fluoride.