City Warns Of Water Quality Testing Scams

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Department of Water Management is warning residents of a water testing scam in the city. Suspects are posing as city employees to gain access to people's homes, officials said. The scam artists tell residents that they were sent to test the home's water quality, the city said.

In a letter to constituents, Ald. Pat O'Connor advised residents to make sure that the representative is wearing a neon yellow shirt or safety vest with grey metallic striping and carrying a City of Chicago or Department of Water Management issued ID.

The alderman said the city offers free lead testing by appointment only.

"A DWM tester will also have a ten-digit reference number that was provided to residents who called 311 to request lead testing," O'Connor stated in the letter. "If any resident has not been contacted by DWM to set up an appointment in response to their request for lead testing, they should not admit anyone claiming to be a DWM water tester into their home."

To receive a free lead test kit, residents can call 311 and a kit will be mailed to their home. The kit includes a number to call to set up an appointment for picking up water samples.

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