WASD warns customers about letting fake "utility" workers into their homes

Living during these unprecedented times due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) State of Emergency is challenging enough without the potential threat of con artists trying to take advantage of people. The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is providing the following tips to help customers and their families remain safe.

There have been reports of people portraying themselves as employees of various government agencies in an attempt to gain entry to people’s homes. While no one has yet attempted to portray themselves as a WASD employee, please be aware that department employees would not need to enter a customer’s home to conduct their business.

Miami-Dade’s water is safe to drink, and we continue to provide normal water service delivery, so WASD employees would not show up unscheduled to your home needing “to check that the plumbing works” or “test the water.” Customers can still request that WASD lab employees take water quality samples at their homes, but the department has modified sampling protocols due to the State of Emergency to only sample from outside spigots rather than inside the home to minimize contact between staff and customers.

Water is a vital resource, especially now during the State of Emergency. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez has directed WASD to temporarily suspend the disconnection of water service due to non-payment. Therefore, no one would be calling you to take payment over the phone or requesting payment at your home in attempt to prevent your water being cut.

Because WASD continues to perform fundamental services in the community, it is important for residents to know how to verify that the people in your neighborhood are indeed performing in official capacities. Residents can call the Customer Service Center at 305-665-7477 or 3-1-1. After hours, customers can call WASD’s Emergency Communications Center at 305-274-9272.

WASD Safety Tips:

• Miami-Dade Water and Sewer employees always wear properly marked uniforms that identify themselves as Miami-Dade County employees for WASD.
• WASD employees also drive Miami-Dade County marked vehicles when conducting department business.
• WASD employees also will display proper department identification cards while conducting business on behalf of the department.
• WASD employees in most cases will never have to access a customer’s yard/property to conduct services, let alone have to enter a customer’s home. In many cases, the department will also proactively provide advance notice to customers when large scale construction jobs are taking place near their home and list department staff contact information so customers can obtain additional information.

Safety is paramount not only for our employees in how we conduct our business, but also ensuring that the residents we work for also feel safe. We can all play a role in protecting our family, friends and neighbors.

It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit the department’s website.