On a regular basis, we’re contacted by clients, neighbors, and friends asking about fliers they got in the mail. The mailers read things like “Important Water Quality Notice” and warn of recent contamination of Florida drinking water.
These kinds of ads are misleading to say the least. Scare tactics and high-pressure sales schemes are the kinds of things that give regular, hard-working service people a bad name. They erode everyone’s trust, and as a result, people might wind up opting for no water treatment at all.
We’re here to help clarify things as best as possible. As longtime Manatee County residents running a locally owned small business, our dedication is to our Sarasota-Bradenton community—and not the vague “your community” that’s listed on the flier.
Here, we’ll go into how these advertisement mailers work, and how you can spot them.
“Contaminated Water Supply” in Bradenton?
The flyer you receive in the mail will outline the risks of contaminated water stemming from recent flooding, specifically in Florida. The notice will then tell you that “it’s highly recommended to get a water quality inspection ASAP.” Finally, it offers free water tests “in your community” or “in your area,” with instructions on how to schedule a test.
One of the most infuriating parts about these kinds of ads is that they play off of legitimate fears of water contamination in Bradenton, especially after the 2024 hurricane season. People should 100% be educated about the state of their water, especially during and after emergencies. Our fear is that by spreading misleading information, these mailers may make people less likely to believe legitimate water quality reports in the future.
That’s especially true in fliers that don’t have a company logo or header. The name of the organization may be mentioned in the copy, but our worry is that some people—especially vulnerable seniors in the Bradenton area—may mistake these mailers for an official government notice. In some cases, the company name could even be mistaken for a municipal department.
(These flyers remain technically legal when they have fine print somewhere on the card that clarifies that it is not from a government agency.)
How These Ads Work
Like many ads on TV and elsewhere, these flyers highlight consumers’ fears and then offer a solution. In this case, the fear is contaminated drinking water; the solution is a free water test. And honestly, there’s nothing technically wrong with that. Hey, Healthy Water in Manatee offers free tests, too. It’s how we help to educate people, and it’s also how we connect with them.
When you sign up for this free water test, either by filling out and returning the card or by using the email on the card, you become a potential customer. And they have your contact info. Again, many marketing techniques attempt to zero in on the people who are more likely to purchase their services. But you have to ask yourself: Do you want a misleading “notice” to be how you choose your water treatment company? And will their other sales techniques be straightforward and respectful? Or will those techniques be misleading, too?
How to Differentiate an Ad from a Real Government Notice
There are a few red flags to look for when examining a Florida water quality notice that comes to your mailbox. Here’s what to ask yourself.
- Is the company/municipal department name clearly listed?
- Are the organization’s details (phone, address, website) listed?
- Does the flyer mention a specific community or area, or does it just refer to “your community” or Florida in general? (Remember, different water management districts receive their water from different sources; there is no one single source for all of Florida.)
- Are you given the option to ask more questions, or are you only instructed to sign up for the water test?
- Does the email address listed end in “.gov” or a non-governmental domain?
- Is there small print anywhere that clarifies the nature of the card?
Trust Your Gut and Go with Someone You Know
Everyone should be aware of the state of their water supply, especially when emergencies happen. Public water safety notices—often via television, news release, website, etc.—are intended to keep people informed down to the minute. We want everyone to heed those notices to stay safe.
At Healthy Water, we strive to be transparent in our water quality as well as our business practices. While we offer people better-tasting water that will leave fewer mineral deposits on your faucets, sinks, porcelain, appliances, dishes, and everything else, we don’t have to advertise those services through fear or trickery.
Please be careful when contacting an unknown company. When in doubt, ask a friend or neighbor. And please feel free to reach out to Healthy Water of Manatee County if you have any questions. Based right here in Ellenton, Florida, we’ve been serving all of southwest Florida, including Manatee and Sarasota counties, for more than 10 years.
Deckard & Company.