Many treatment companies offer free in-home testing of drinking water. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous dealers use this as an opportunity to frighten consumers into purchasing equipment that may not be needed. The salesperson might add chemicals to the water that cause particles to form or color changes to occur. These demonstrations prove nothing about the safety of the water for drinking. Another sales tactic offers water treatment equipment as part of a larger prize promotion. The individual is forced to purchase the water treatment device in order to obtain the larger prize, and both often prove to be of little value.Do not purchase equipment from salespeople who use misleading newspaper articles or governmental reports, or who misrepresent themselves as employees of a water utility. Many states do not allow false or exaggerated claims in advertising water treatment equipment, or the use of such graphic representations as a skull and crossbones over a glass of water. A more subtle advertising technique than those discussed above is to understate the maintenance requirements of the equipment. Most water treatment devices do require some maintenance such as filter changes, the addition of chemicals, or backwashing. And watch out for those little post cards that say your the water in your area has been testing positive for bacteria or they hang a little water sample jar from your mail box its all a scam!!!