After new complaints, the Citrus County Utilities Division is once again warning homeowners to protect themselves against unscrupulous companies who claim residents’ water is contaminated.

As was reported last summer, there are at least two companies issuing postcards in Citrus saying the company tried to contact residents, telling them they need to have their water tested within 72 hours.

“Once again, don’t fall for it,” reiterated Citrus County Water Resources Director Robert Knight. “Anyone who has reason to suspect their water supply is contaminated should contact their local water supply officials,” he said. That would be the county Utilities Division for residents on county water or a private utility company for customers of those systems.

Residents with wells can call the local Environmental Health Office at 527-5295. It has a test kit that for a nominal cost will test for harmful bacterial. Residents can also call the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Hotline at 800-426-4791, or go to www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm online.

Those on a central water system should annually get and can ask for the Consumer Confidence Report of water testing for the prior year. Citrus County utility customers should contact Bernadine Flood Nichols at 527-7648, who can county’s water report, which is also online at the county’s site at: www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/waterres/utilities/ccr/ccr.htm.

The Better Business Bureau advises residents to be suspicious when a salesperson or telemarketer suggests:

• That the water in the resident’s area is contaminated: Some dealers or salespeople may suggest that the water contains dangerous impurities such as lead or pesticides. Anyone with reason to suspect their local water supply is dangerous, should call the EPA’s safe drinking water hotline at 800-426-4791.
• That their company’s water-filtration products are certified or recommended by the U.S. government: The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is the provider of certification of water treatment systems, no the government.
• That they should accept an offer for an in-home test to check the safety of water: In-home water tests are often used by con artists to create a false impression that you must purchase a water filter to protect your and your family’s health.
• That their company’s water filter doesn’t require maintenance: All water filtration devices require some form of maintenance, although it may be as simple as the occasional filter change.
• That their water filters remove all known contaminants: No water purification device can take out every contaminant.

Residents who have problems with hardness, iron, clarity, or color in their water may benefit from a water filter or water conditioner, but officials advise them to shop for a reputable local firm with a history of doing business in the county, or to hire one that works with the major home supplier stores.