State warns of water treatment scams in Minnesota
State health officials are warning Minnesota residents to watch out for scare tactics being used to sell unnecessary home water treatment systems that cost thousands of dollars more than those sold by reputable companies.
The Minnesota Department of Health reports that the number of complaints about deceptive sales tactics is spiking. The sales could be prompted by high-profile investigations of water quality in Washington County due to industrial pollution.
The department says the scams often involve a salesperson coming to a home and testing the water flowing from the tap. The testers claim to find contamination, but a health official says the tests may actually only indicate the presence of naturally occurring minerals.
Most Minnesotans drink city water, and the department says that should be safe. ---
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Online:
Minnesota Department of Health, home treatment systems
Minnesota Attorney General, consumer complaints line
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