Water filter firm told to halt scare tactics

Hawkers selling water filters have been banned by the High Court from telling people that tap water causes cancer, miscarriages and comes from toilets.

Love Springs, Tiny Terms and Successcorp, all of which sell Love Springs-branded water filters, have been issued with a temporary injunction after an investigation by the Commerce Commission. Investigators are deciding whether to prosecute the companies for allegedly breaching fair trading laws by using misleading statements to sell water filters.

The interim injunction bans the companies from telling people that tap or bottled water in New Zealand is poisonous, dangerous, comes from toilets or sewage, causes cancer, leukaemia, miscarriages, deformities in babies, asthma or other health problems, contains giardia or is in any way unsafe or unhealthy to drink.

Tap water company Manukau Water complained to the commission last year over allegations that salespeople were going door-to-door using scare tactics to sell water filters.

Budgeting and Family Support Services Mangere said at the time low-income families, elderly people or people who spoke little English were signing up to long-term contracts requiring regular payments.

Love Springs was fined A$20,000 ($24,000) in Australia for its misleading sales pitches in Queensland.

Anyone who comes across any of the tactics banned by the court order can contact the commission on 0800 943 600 or email contact@comcom.govt.nz.