Action 9 hidden camera water test

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Seminole County man claims a "free" water test turned into a $5,000 bill for a water treatment system he doesn't need. Many consumers have complained about the same company they said used water tests to scare them.

Action 9 had just watched a man from Environmental Quality Assurance test the tap water inside an Orange County home on hidden camera. He had added a clear chemical to the water that turned very cloudy. He said that showed risky "contaminants" the homeowner was drinking.

"You make this water sound very dangerous. Don't know how you can do this?" said Action 9's Todd Ulrich.

"I think it is. It was detrimental to me," said a technician.

That same company offered a "free" water test to Albert Brien. He said it convinced him to pay nearly $5,000 for a water treatment system.

"It's been a total disaster," said Albert.

He claims the filters failed and thinks the test misled him about the quality of city water.

I want the company to come and take this thing out," he said.

The Better Business Bureau has issued an alert about Environmental Quality Assurance, and it has 21 state complaints.

At Action 9's test home, the tech said he found chemicals that suggested yard and human waste.

"Are you telling them there's fertilizer and sewage in their water?" asked Ulrich.

"That's what it's derived from," the tech said.

"That's not what you said," said Ulrich.

"I only find what's on the water quality report," said the tech.

As it turns out, the tech could not test for that but had referred to what is on OUC's water report that actually showed all contaminants well below EPA standards.

"Is it fair to come into someone's home and say the water is not safe to drink?" asked Ulrich.

"It's nothing about fair, it's about educating the public," the tech said.

Environmental Quality did not return Action 9's calls.

The Attorney General's office says to avoid free water tests. If you use well water, the health department offers free testing or contact a certified testing lab.

WFTV