Business ProfileforRenewable Environmental Global Water Solutions

On January 15th, 2019 BBB investigated Renewable Global Environmental Water Solutions to research the business’s practice of conducting sales activities in New Brunswick.
This investigation was prompted by inquires from consumers who had been approached by Renewable Global Environmental Water Solutions sales representatives. These consumers inquired about the business’ sales approach, water testing methods, and recommendations of water treatment systems and equipment. In addition, some consumers inquired about the financing associated with the sales contracts.

BBB was able to obtain a contract, the format of which is approved by Financial and Consumer Services New Brunswick, but which provided no details as to how the drinking water was tested, and therefore no provision of the necessity of the filtration system or the results it was purported to provide.
 
The contract was based on a long-term financing agreement. BBB was able to obtain a financial agreement and was advised by Financial and Consumer Services New Brunswick that the financing agreement was legal in New Brunswick.

On January 24th, 2019 BBB sent a letter to Renewable Global Environmental Water Solutions with the following questions:
: Does the company operate door-to-door in New Brunswick? 
: How are representatives trained within your organization regarding water quality/ provincial standards?
: Is Renewable Global Environmental Water Solutions or its executive team affiliated with any third-party organizations such as the Canadian Water Quality Association? 
: Do they hold any certifications through these industries? Please explain.
: Does your business hold any licensing or certifications with New Brunswick Financial and Consumer Services, and can you confirm that your team members collect and submit for testing water samples as per the guidelines established by the Drinking Water Source Protection Section of the Department of Environment and Local Government of the Province of New Brunswick?
: Do you offer consumers payment options? If so, which company provides the financing?
: Are the products and equipment that you sell Certified? Are the Certification mark/labels clearly visible on the equipment?
: Are your sales people trained in having water tested at analytical laboratories to ensure that the appropriate equipment is provided to the consumer?

Having received no response, on Feb 1st, 2019 BBB sent a second letter to Eastern Eco Solutions requesting a response to the January 24th inquiry.

On Feb 8th, BBB received an email response from the business in answer to several of the questions. On Feb14th BBB sent a follow up letter requesting clarification on several more concerns that had been brought to BBB's attention. The business provided adequate answers to most of BBB questions.
Of special interest is the business’s practice of contacting consumers by telephone and offering a gift if they participate in a survey.
In answer to our question of whether the business conducts door-to-door sales, the business indicated that they did not, rather that all sales visits were by way of appointment. However, one consumer reports that, to the best of their recollection, after co-operating in the telephone survey, a sales representative arrived, unannounced with the gift. There had been no pre-arranged appointment as the business had indicated to BBB.

BBB requested verification of the survey technique and an example of the survey script, as well as clarification of the drinking water testing methods, and of the training the employees receive for conducting tests.
On March 5th, 2019 BBB received an email in response to our letter of February 14th.
The business provided BBB with the requested scripts that are used when contacting consumers for telephone surveys and for arranging appointments to deliver the gift, conduct the water test and conduct a subsequent sales presentation.
The business also clarified that they test drinking water only for levels of hardness and Ph, Iron, Magnesium and TDS. There is no testing for bacteria, E. coli or water born viruses. Water samples are not collected and sent for testing at provincial testing facilities.
The business also informed BBB that their team members are trained by staff that are certified through CWQA and that the products they sell are CWQA certified
In answer to our question regarding transparency in situations where as a result of an an in-home test, the water quality appears to be of acceptable quality, and further, that if the cost of a treatment system and the accompanying financial arrangement might cause an undue financial burden to a potential customer, Renewable Environmental Global Water Solutions responded by indicating that there are many occasions where it is determined that there is no need for water treatment and that water treatment equipment is not recommended. BBB has been informed of at least one sale where, after the fact, the customer felt the system was unnecessary, too complicated to use, and resulted in a heavy financial burden.

BBB urges consumers educate themselves about the quality of their drinking water.  A visit to their provincial government’s website for information on the testing of drinking water is a good first step. Having well water tested using well water bacteria sampling kits obtained from Service New Brunswick or from RPC Analytical Services is an inexpensive way to understand the quality of their water and to be able to research appropriate water purification systems, should it appear that one would be required.

A red flag should go up anytime a salesperson suggests any of the following:

-The water in your area is contaminated,
 -An offer for an in-home test to check the safety of your water,
-Their company's water filter doesn't require maintenance,
-Their water filters remove all known contaminants, or
-You have won a prize but you have not entered any contest.
In addition, BBB urges consumers to read any contract carefully before signing it. Be sure to note Terms and Conditions including cancellation options, warranties, servicing provided, and the certification of the products being offered.  

Consumers in New Brunswick are urged to read the Drinking Water Source Protection Section of the Department of Environment and Local Government of the Province of New Brunswick at https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/env/pdf/Water-Eau/WaterSupplyAssessmentGuidelines.pdf

 Consumers may also check with the Canadian Water Quality Association at  https://www.cwqa.com/ to see if a business is registered with them.