Utah Consumer Alert

Buyer Beware!

Magnetic Water "Treatment" Devices Do Not Work. 

Utah's consumers are being wooed with promises of magnetic water treatment devices which "last forever" and "need no water treatment chemicals."  The devices clamp on the outside of water pipes and claim to treat the water. The devices now sell for about $300 each. Frequently, more than one unit is recommended.

However, the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Consumer Protection has been advised that these devices don't work.  Water treatment experts at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Drinking Water report that many consumers are calling their office with questions regarding the ability of magnetic units to reduce hard water deposits or cut detergent use in the home.

Advertising claims state that the magnetic units consume no chemicals and therefore provide cost-savings.  However, analysis of the devices by professionals in the Division of Drinking Water has shown that they do not work.

It usually takes several months or years to run a comparison of the magnetic water treatment system versus conventional methods.  By the time it is done, the buyer realizes there is no cost savings and may have damaged equipment.  "We are seeing a resurgence in the sale of these types of devices since we last investigated their claims in 1978," said Larry Scanlan, a water treatment chemist with the Division of Drinking Water.  "At that time, we found no measurable water quality benefit.  If the devices worked, every public and private water supply in the state would be using one by now; but the fact is - they are not."  Scanlan noted that sales activity as evidenced by consumer questions to the Division of Drinking Water dropped to near zero in the 1980's only to rise again in 1994-95.  In addition, he noted that water treatment literature dating back to the 1930's describes the devices and the wishful intentions of inventors .

The Division of Drinking Water also noted that advertising materials make additional claims for motor vehicles.  Magnetic devices have been purported to "improve engine performance and reduce emissions from gasoline and diesel engines."  This is not a part of the state's air quality plan, and probably never will be.