GLENDALE, California – On Monday, August 16, a man impersonating a GWP employee knocked on a resident’s door in the 240 block of Dryden St., stating the customer needed to pay the GWP bill or else electricity would be disconnected. The customer did not open the door and called Glendale Water & Power and the Glendale Police Department to report this suspicious incident.
Glendale Water & Power would like to remind our customers that we NEVER go door to door to collect money for payment of a utility bill. Our field staff does go onto the premises of a business or a residence to turn on and turn off service. If at any time customers are concerned about our procedures, they are encouraged to call our customer service department at (818) 548-3300. If you notice any suspicious activity near your residence or are contacted by someone collecting money and impersonating City personnel, please contact the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4911 immediately.
Below are our procedures for meter readers, home survey staff, and water testers, GWP ground crews, and the number to call if you are suspicious of persons near your residence.
Meter Readers – GWP has scheduled routes for meter reading. The majority of meters are located outside the home on the side of the house, on very few occasions our meter readers grant access to go into a house only if the meter is located inside the house and they have asked permission from the homeowner. Meters readers at times have to enter the backyard to access meters. Meters are never read on weekends. Meter readers wear GWP green uniforms and carry a GWP identification badge at all times.
Water Quality Staff – GWP water quality staff never perform unscheduled water quality testing at residences unless the customer initiates contact and requests that water be tested. At that point, GWP water quality staff always tests the water at the hose bib outside the customer’s home and never asks to go inside to test the water or flush out water. The outside test is sufficient. If a customer insists on tap water being tested inside the home, they may ask our staff to go inside, but it is not necessary. Our water quality staff also test Glendale’s water quality regularly by flushing hydrants and valves on the sidewalks, at reservoirs and at water storage facilities.
GWP Electric or Water Crews – Continuously work in neighborhoods to upgrade our infrastructure. Employees are always wearing their GWP badges and use City issued vehicles that are white with the GWP logo on the side of the vehicle. If necessary to do repair work near a home, a GWP staff member might knock on the door to ask a resident if their power or water has been affected. Residents can ask to see the GWP employee’s badge at this time or call us for more information.
When seeing GWP staff near residential properties, customers need to look for:
Proper City and GWP identification: Our staff always carries GWP/City badges with their picture and name on it.
ALWAYS look for a GWP vehicle outside or in the driveway. GWP never uses private vehicles for house or service calls.
If there is a special circumstance where GWP staff will be in the area performing work, we will always notify the customer through letters or door hangers one week to three days prior to the work, and provide a phone number to the appropriate department.
GWP provides a free in-home survey through a company called KEMA, Inc. – This is a customer initiated service and our customers are well aware of the date of the survey, and how many surveyors will be at the customer’s home conducting the survey. The customer is also called the day before the survey to be reminded of their appointment. KEMA surveyors always carry KEMA and GWP badges. Their vehicle is labeled with the KEMA logo.
If customers see suspicious activities or are unsure if City staff is checking their meter, they may call GWP customer service at (818) 548-3300. On weekends and for emergencies, GWP can be reached on our emergency line at (818) 548-2011.