Gippsland Water is warning its customers to beware of a water filter scam operating in the Gippsland Water service area.

Chief Executive Officer John Mitchell said that Gippsland Water has received complaints from customers who have been approached by salespeople claiming that recycled water has been mixed with their domestic water supply.

Customers are then misled into believing that their drinking water is not fit for consumption, and are urged to buy an expensive water filter to clean it.

Gippsland Water monitors all of its potable water supplies for compliance against the Department of Human Services (DHS) Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, which is published in the DHS annual drinking water report and is available to the public.

Gippsland Water also initiates additional monitoring which is compared against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2006.

Gippsland Water will not be mixing treated effluent with the region's drinking water supply.

"We can assure our customers that Gippsland Water is not connected in any way with this vendor, or any other water filter supplier," Mr Mitchell said.

"Gippsland Water is aware some companies disseminate false information and allow their representatives to visit customers at their homes, and conduct tests to demonstrate how bad their water is. We have at no time authorised our staff or a contractor to do such tests."

Mr Mitchell said that Gippsland Water will always publicly notify its customers of any service changes concerning the community by advertising locally in regional media, as well as contacting the customer directly either in person, by telephone, or by mail.

Gippsland Water has urged those who have been approached by water filter companies to report it if they have doubts about its legitimacy.

Furthermore, customers who have concerns about the quality of their water, or information they have received about Gippsland Water's services, are urged to contact Gippsland Water's Service Centre on 1800 066 401.

24 January 2007