THE Water Corporation is warning its Goldfields and Agricultural region customers to be wary of salespeople making false claims about drinking water quality.
The Corporation received reports recently from a number of customers who had been visited or telephoned by salespeople claiming to have completed drinking water quality tests in the area.
These salespeople then alleged the water was not safe to drink, in an attempt to sell water filters.
Water Corporation acting regional manager Murray Johnsen said the claims were totally without foundation and he was concerned these salespeople were causing undue worry and distress to customers in the region.
“We’ve received some disturbing reports from customers who have been approached or telephoned by water filter salespeople and told their drinking water was contaminated,” Mr Johnsen said.
"Some people use water filters and we have no issue with that at all.
“We are concerned these sales people are making allegations about the safety of our water, which are completely untrue.
“This type of sales tactic has been used in Perth recently, but it seems these companies have decided to target the Goldfields and Agricultural rgion too.”
Mr Johnsen said in one instance, a telephone sales person advised a resident he had won a water purifier and would have to provide credit card details to obtain the prize.
"We are really concerned these salespeople are coming across to residents as experts in the field of water quality and misleading people through the use of water quality testing 'party tricks' which could cause undue worry and stress to our customers," Mr Johnsen said.
“I urge residents who are approached by salespeople who make adverse claims about the quality of their drinking water to take down as many details as possible and contact us by phoning our 24 hour assistance line on 13 13 75.”