NEWS & UPDATES
For Immediate Release
December 15, 2025
BWS Cautions Residents About Holiday Season Scams
HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is urging all customers to stay vigilant of being scammed following a recent report of an individual impersonating a BWS field worker in the Salt Lake area. This reminder is meant to protect residents from potential scams, which typically increase during the holiday season.
In the most recent case, a Salt Lake resident reported a man who claimed he was “changing out water meters,” yet lacked the standard indicators of a legitimate BWS employee. The resident described him as wearing a yellow reflective shirt and driving a plain white car. By contrast, official BWS field staff always carry City & County of Honolulu ID badges, wear BWS-branded clothing, and operate clearly marked BWS vehicles.
The BWS has also received past reports of individuals claiming they need to enter residents’ homes to test their drinking water. This is not a service the BWS conducts. Water quality sampling is performed at designated locations by trained BWS staff, and residents are never asked to grant in-home access for random testing.
“Protecting our customers is a top priority,” said Ernie Lau, BWS Manager and Chief Engineer. “If someone approaches you claiming to be from the BWS but cannot provide proper identification, do not let them into your home and call the BWS right away to confirm.”
Other Common Utility Scams:
- Aggressive or unexpected phone calls or visits demanding payment under threat of immediate shutoff.
- Water disconnection notices sent by text message.
Residents who want to confirm the validity of an individual claiming to be a BWS employee are urged to call (808) 748-5000, ext. 2 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), or BWS Security at (808) 748-5911 after hours. If you feel threatened or believe a crime is occurring, please call the Honolulu Police Department at 9-1-1.
For more tips on protecting yourself against scams this holiday season, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com/safety.
About the Board of Water Supply
The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oʻahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system. As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oʻahu. The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” – to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future. Uwē ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.” For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.
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Contact:
Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319