Water troubles: Green Bay Water officials question private firm's marketing - Green Bay Press Gazette

Water troubles: Green Bay Water officials question private firm's marketing

Water company's 'aggressive' sales approach concerns Green Bay Water utility officials
Doug Schneider

GREEN BAY - Marketing by a Naperville, Illinois, company is causing confusion for some customers of the Green Bay Water utility.

C&P Clear Water has sent some Green Bay Water customers materials that have caused "confusion and concern" among customers of the utility, said Andrea Hay, spokeswoman for Green Bay Water. C&P sells water-softening equipment, according to its website.

Hay said much of the confusion has been prompted by use of the phrase "community water update" in some of the company's marketing materials and "water quality notice." One notice says "Technicians will be in your area conducting city and well water analysis for the next two weeks."

These messages are not from your city utility. Each year, Green Bay Water publishes an annual report on the water tests prior to July 1. The utility last published a report in June 2022. It is not currently preparing an update, according to Hay.

C&P Clear Water has been granted a solicitor's permit from the city, valid July 25 to Aug. 25. That does not mean that Green Bay Water has endorsed the company or the products it sells; it simply means the city has permitted the company's people to sell its products at people's doors.

C&P Clear Water has a toll-free number on its website. The number was not answered on Friday.

Hay said Green Bay Water is happy to answer questions from people served by the Green Bay Water utility. She estimated that roughly 12 customers have contacted the utility with questions; questions most commonly come from older residents. Green Bay Water has been alerting customers about what's going on through a Facebook post.

"I take issue with the door-hanger being vague and misleading," Hay said. She specifically cited marketing materials referring to a water update.

A woman who posted to Nextdoor website recently complained that someone representing C&P Clear Water asked her if they could come into her house and "check the water quality."

Generally, Hay said, if a Green Bay Water customer felt the need to buy, say, a water softener, she would advise buying from a locally known business. Doing so would mean that the customer could visit the local office or showroom if they had a concern or a complaint about the product.

Green Bay Water employees have badges identifying themselves as employees of the utility, and drive vehicles bearing Green Bay Water's logo. Utility employees this year have visited people's homes to replace old water meters. In such cases, the utility has contacted the owner of the home to schedule a time when the old meter can be removed and replace with a new one.

Anyone with concerns about a utility employee can phone the Green Bay office at 920-448-3480.

Email Doug Schneider @DSchneid@GreenBayPressGazette.com, call him at (630) 373-0799 and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @PGDougSchneider