Unapproved Vendors Soliciting City Residents

Friday Sep 5th, 2014

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

Sept. 5, 2014 (BALTIMORE, MD) — Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today warned City homeowners that only HomeServe USA has the endorsement of Baltimore City to provide emergency repair coverage of their water and sewer service lines. If you receive a solicitation that does not contain the City seal and identifies a company other than HomeServe USA, it is not supported or endorsed by the City.  

“We learned this afternoon that at least one company is representing itself as having been endorsed by the City to offer service plans,” said Mr. Chow. “After an extensive, nationwide search, the City entered into a partnership with HomeServe USA – and only HomeServe USA – to offer the optional residential service plans for water and sewer service lines.

Just as much of the public water and sewer lines in the City are old and at or nearing the end of their useful lives, the lines on private property are also subject to failure. The optional service plans now available through HomeServe offer low-cost protection against broken or impaired lines, which can cost thousands of dollars to fix.

The City will not generate any revenue through its partnership with HomeServe. The City will not offer billing services for the company, and is not paying for HomeServe’s ongoing marketing campaign.

“We have no control over whether our customers decide to buy optional service contracts for their private water and sewer service lines, and we can’t force them to only buy from one company,” added Mr. Chow. “But no company other than HomeServe USA is operating with   The City’s support.”

For additional information about HomeServe USA and the water and sewer repair programs available, please go to www.baltimoreservicerepairs.com or call 1-855-807-6631.

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Contact

James E. Bentley II
410-545-6541
Jennifer Combs
410-545-6541
After hours, weekends, or holidays please call 410-396-3100 for the duty officer

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works supports the health, environment, and economy of our City and region by cleaning our neighborhoods and waterways and providing its customers with safe drinking water and sustainable energy practices.