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Bakersfield: Check I.D. before granting access to utility workers
March 12, 2010
California Water Service Company (Cal Water) reminded customers today that they should always check photo identification before allowing utility workers access to their homes.
The reminder follows a report of a non-utility-worker impersonating a Cal Water employee attempting to gain access to a customer's home in Bakersfield.
"All of our employees carry photo identification. Any customer who is unsure whether he or she should allow a Cal Water employee access should call our local Customer Center for confirmation," said Bakersfield District Manager Tim Treloar.
According to Treloar, Cal Water does not collect samples for water quality testing from inside customers' homes nor does the utility solicit services door-to-door. Furthermore, Cal Water employees rarely need access to customers' homes; an employee might request access if it is necessary to read the water meter, if the customer requests leak inspection services, or the customer is getting air or sediment at the tap as a result of the utility's work on the water system, for example.
"We do not want customers to be alarmed, just alert. We care about our customers and want to remind them that it is always better to err on the side of caution when anyone knocks on their doors. And, again, we encourage our customers to contact us if they are ever unsure," Treloar said.
"Of course, if someone claiming to be a utility employee cannot show photo identification or otherwise behaves suspiciously, the customer should contact law enforcement," Treloar added.
Cal Water serves 2 million people through more than 450,000 service connections throughout California. The company has provided water utility services locally since 1927. Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com.