Water filter companies operating in the Gippsland region are in no way associated with Gippsland Water, the corporation warns.

Gippsland Water often receives phone calls over the summer months from customers concerned about statements made by companies selling water filters.

One common method is to phone customers inviting them to participate in a quick survey about water quality. The questions aim to make a customer think they will be drinking recycled sewage in the future, and that harmful chemicals are added to water. The company calls back a few days later to tell the customer they have won a water filter, but need to pay $99 for delivery costs.

Another scam has seen door-to-door salespeople insinuate they work for the local water corporation. They then advise customers water filters are being installed in all homes in Gippsland Water’s area.

Customers concerned about the legitimacy of anyone purporting to be representing or working with Gippsland Water are encouraged to ask for a form of identification. All Gippsland Water staff have photo identification cards with our spoonbill logo, and our two major contractors, GMA and Transfield Services, have dual-badged vehicles and identification cards.

All other contractors working on behalf of Gippsland Water should be able to provide a contractor card, which includes the name of the contractor company, Gippsland Water’s logo, and the contractor’s signature.

Gippsland Water does not conduct phone surveys on water quality. A customer satisfaction survey is conducted by a contractor every 18 months, but includes a number of topics in addition to water quality, such as customer service, environmental performance and waste.

All water supplied by Gippsland Water is treated to meet the standards set out in the Victorian Government’s Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. In addition, it is monitored to ensure compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, with monitoring data regularly reported to the Department of Human Services.

Customers who have been approached by any salesperson giving false representations about being linked to Gippsland Water are encouraged to contact the corporation on 1800 066 401.

20 January 2010