NEW HAVEN – When someone claiming to be from the Regional Water Authority or the water company comes to your door asking to come inside to check the water pressure, the color of the water or another issue, ask them to show you their employee identification card. This reminder is a result of two incidents in recent weeks where men posed as water company employees to attempt to gain access to homes in West Haven and Hamden. In the West Haven case, the imposter was able to get into the home of an elderly person, although it appears that nothing was taken. These incidents are being investigated.

 “This sort of activity increases in the spring and occurs everywhere in Connecticut. Customers should be suspicious of anyone who unexpectedly comes to their door claiming to be from the Regional Water Authority requesting to check the pipes, water pressure or valves or get a water sample,” said Regional Water Authority Police Captain Paul M. Schilling. “Do not open the door to this person. Ask them to show you their Regional Water Authority employee photo identification card. If the person at your door doesn’t show you an identification card or give you time to examine it, do not let them in your home.”  Employees of the Regional Water Authority wear clothing bearing the company logo and the customer should also see a company car or truck with the Regional Water Authority logo parked outside. It is extremely rare that an RWA employee will come to a home without an appointment, but if they do, the employee will always have a company-issued photo ID.

You can verify that the individual is an employee of the Regional Water Authority by calling the Authority’s Customer Service Department at 203-562-4020. If there is any question in your mind as to whether any individual is a Regional Water Authority employee, call your local police department immediately.