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For Immediate Release
July 5, 2019

Customer Alert: Board of Water Supply Impersonators

HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is alerting the public of individuals pretending to be BWS employees to gain access to the homes of customers, especially during this season when many families are away on vacation and criminals may be scouting for vacant homes.

In one incident, a Kaimuki resident confronted a male trespassing on her property who said he was there to fix her broken water meter. The resident noted that the man was in an aloha shirt and knew that the meter is in the sidewalk. She also did not see a BWS vehicle parked nearby. She started to ask the man a lot of questions and he left.

In another incident, a Salt Lake resident observed two men wearing non-BWS attire with orange vests looking at her water meter. They quickly left in a red sedan when the resident went outside into her garage to more closely observe them.

The BWS reminds the public that, if you are approached by someone saying he/she is from the BWS, all personnel involved in official BWS activities will be properly credentialed: wearing official BWS attire with the BWS logo, driving BWS labeled vehicles, and carrying an official City and County of Honolulu badge, with the agency identified as the BWS. See attached photos.  More photos of official BWS attire and vehicles can be viewed at http://www.boardofwatersupply.com/community/news-and-updates/consumer-alert.

Additionally, the BWS:

  • does not conduct leak detection on customer property nor inside the residence.
  • does not schedule appointments outside its regular business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Residents who want to confirm the validity of an individual claiming to be a BWS employee may call the BWS at 748-5000 or call the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) at 9-1-1, if they are suspicious of an individual’s credentials. Notifying HPD will alert them to be on the lookout while on their patrols. Customers may also call the BWS at 748-5041 to file an additional report.

About the Board of Water Supply

The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system.  As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oahu.  The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” – to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future.  Uwē  ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.”  For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

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A photo is attached for your consideration and use. The photo is courtesy of the Board of Water Supply.


Contact:

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319