Culligan Water Sacramento Culligan Refuses to Provide Documentation that their Systems Work Sacramento CA - California

I have been talking to a handful of neighbors about our water quality recently. Some think sewage and drinking water are one and the same. Some think contaminated groundwater at a Superfund site is the same as their water that comes from the Sierras. Some misguided souls volunteered that their Culligan reverse-osmosis system is the only way to go to make sure their water is safe. Nobody seemed to know anything about how they know it is actually filtering anything.

So I contacted Culligan through their online form about the contaminants their reverse osmosis system removes and to what level. A sales rep called me.

Rep: We remove all minerals from the water. 
Me: I am not talking about naturally occurring minerals. I am talking about contaminants. 
Rep: Um, it may take all day to get that together. 
Me: You sell filtration systems. Surely you know what you are filtering out. 
Rep: Oh I do know. Is that what you want to know? 
Me: Yes. 
Rep: I’ll have to get back to you.

This is what they sent me.

Page 1 The first column describes “various impurities”. Taste and odor refering to naturally occurring minerals, not contaminants. The second column says you should figure out yourself if you even need it before you buy. Refers again to “numerous water problem”. The third column refers to plastic bottles. Sales gimmick.

Page 2 Screens out sediment. I would hope so.

Reduces “elements” that cause taste and odor problems (meaning minerals). Reduces radium, arsenic V, lead, and “many others”. These are unlikely to be in surface water. Strange that they specifically “reduce” arsenic V instead of total arsenic. I guess they just leave the rest.

Specialty filters… meaning you have to buy separately? Substances followed by an asterisk saying "these may not be in your water". Reduces substances “such as” perchlorate, VOCs, mercury, MTBE, and Arsenic 3, still no total arsenic.

Then a lot of blah, blah, blah about technology, service, and how happy their customers are. Still nothing about specifically what is filtered out of the water and how much of it. Notice the repeated use of the word "reduces" not eliminates.

Received a second call from a manager. She said she could send out a technician to my home to explain how it all works to me but they don't release the actual contaminant list or the limits of detection. I said you don't tell your customers what they are paying for or if they are even filtering out contaminants to an adequate level? She said, "No. Have you asked other water companies that question?" I said, "No, I'm not considering other companies, I'm asking you. Am I supposed to take the word of a total stranger over the phone?" She said, "We don't give out that information."

Reputable companies are eager to show consumers how well their systems work and post their specs publicly.

I'm speechless. Draw your own conclusions, but wow. The Culligans would have to pay me. This is a scam for the tragically gullible.