Water tap
(Seguin) — The city of Seguin Water Department wants you to question the next time someone comes to your door and wants you to let them improve the quality and safety of your drinking water.
Jennifer Sourdellia, the public information officer for the city of Seguin, says the city would like to make customers aware that private businesses are and will periodically make door-to-door solicitations claiming they can improve the quality and safety of your water using water treatment systems.
However, she says the Seguin Water Department is not affiliated with any private water treatment company and does not endorse the use of any specific water treatment system.
“Recently, some of the city’s water customers have received notification of a Community Water Test being conducted along with a kit, including a small plastic test tube inside of a clear bag, requesting homeowners to enclose a tap water sample in the test tube provided. The independent company distributing the community water test, The Environmental Working Group (EWG), is NOT associated with the city of Seguin,” said Sourdellia.
Sourdellia says she believes, however, that companies such as EWG are looking to get more than just the results of your drinking water.
“But more than likely, they are asking residents to provide their contact information on the form like their phone number, email address and more than likely, it’s just a way to capture information and possibly sell products that they may have,” said Sourdellia.
Tim Howe, director of water/wastewater utilities notes that each year, customers receive “a comprehensive water quality report explaining how we keep Seguin’s water safe.” He adds that the city also “constantly tests and treats your water to ensure that it exceeds all federal and state standards for safe drinking water.”
To help ensure your personal information and to keep citizens safe, Sourdellia suggest that citizens check with the city to make sure that these individuals or companies have gone through the right steps to solicit their products.
“There are people that go door to door and what they really need to do is if you have a door-to-door solicitor, they should be coming to the city and getting a permit to be able to solicit door-to-door so residents, we don’t want them to not ask. They have every right to ask if someone comes to their door to see a city permit, to see if the city issued a permit or a badge and that will show them that they’ve gone through our process here at the city but we also wanted to just remind people and be mindful about solicitors — be careful who you are letting into your home,” said Sourdellia.
Those who have questions regarding the city’s water quality are encouraged to call 830-386-2540.