CONTACT:    Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 28, 2009

_______________________________________________________________________

FREE WATER TESTING KITS DISTRIBUTED

NOT FROM CITY

________________________________________________________________________

Frederick, MD -- The City of Frederick would like our water customers to know that the free water testing kits currently being delivered door to door in some areas of the City are from private water treatment businesses which are not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Frederick. These are private companies seeking to do business with City residents.

Any official water testing performed by the City would be initiated by a letter mailed directly to the water customer's address requesting participation. This letter would be printed on City letterhead and would always include a City contact phone number, and would explain why the testing was needed.  This information would also be included with any water testing kits delivered by the City.   If customers cannot find this information, then the water testing bottle kits were not delivered by the City and would not be part of any official City water testing project.

Citizens having further questions on this issue may call the City Communications Office at 301-600-1440 or the City's Water Quality Office at 301-600-1473.