EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso city leaders are considering a new rule aimed at cracking down on scams and misleading solicitations tied to water services, after residents reported receiving advertisements that appear to come from El Paso Water or the city.<\/p>\n
The proposed ordinance, brought by City Rep. Chris Canales, is scheduled to be discussed during the City Council meeting on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
The measure targets companies that pose as the city or the water utility while selling services such as water filters, water quality testing, filtration and treatment.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Water outage reported near Montana and Desert Meadows in far east El Paso, cause unknown<\/a><\/p>\n An item attached to the agenda states: \u201cResidents in El Paso have raised ongoing concerns about commercial solicitations related to water quality, testing, filtration, and treatment that are presented in a manner resembling official communications. In particular, residents have reported receiving door hangers, mailers, and other materials that appear to be affiliated with El Paso Water but are in fact advertisements from private companies.\u201d<\/p>\n If passed, companies advertising water services would be required to clearly identify who they are, what they are selling, and how to contact them. <\/p>\n They also would have to clearly disclose in advertisements that they are not affiliated with the city, El Paso Water, or any government agency. <\/p>\n The requirements would apply to advertising in Spanish as well.<\/p>\n The ordinance would not change communications from the city, the water utility, or companies contracted by them.<\/p>\n The proposal also would establish penalties. <\/p>\n A first-time offense would result in a warning and an opportunity to correct the issue. <\/p>\n Multiple offenses could lead to civil fines, with possible misdemeanor charges for those who knowingly continue to falsely advertise.<\/p>\n Canales was contacted for more information about the proposal, but did not respond in time for this report. <\/p>\n Discussion of the item is happening later this morning.<\/p>\n RELATED: El Paso Water joins forces with law enforcement to combat water utility scams<\/a><\/p>\n