ADVERTISING MAILERS NOT
ASSOCIATED WITH AUB

ATHENS, Tenn. - Athens Utilities Board reports that residents in Athens and surrounding McMinn County have been calling the utility offices regarding two mailers that are showing up in residential mailboxes. One of the mailers has readers worried for their health.

The mailer is from a group called the National Water Safety Program. AUB spokesman Wayne Scarbrough said that many callers are concerned by language in the mailer that can lead the reader to believe the integrity of municipal water supply may be questionable.

“The mailer does not emphatically state that AUB’s water supply is dangerous, but it is cleverly worded to make the reader uncomfortable about city water by mentioning chemicals such as chlorine and by-products such as trihalomethanes,” Scarbrough said. “It appears that the mailer is an advertising mechanism designed to eventually sell water purification systems.”

Scarbrough said that AUB’s water supply is extremely well treated and absolutely safe and healthy to consume. In fact, he said, additives such as chlorine in low levels make the water safer. “As with all city water systems, we use safe levels of chlorine and other treatment additives to get rid of bacteria and other organisms that could potentially be harmful,” Scarbrough said.

“We recently issued our latest water quality report that shows how well our water supply meets and exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. The report can be accessed in the Water section on our web site at www.aub.org. We also have copies available at the AUB offices and we can fax or mail them if need be,” Scarbrough said.

Scarbrough went on to add that water purification systems are fine if maintained properly. “Purchasing a water purification system is a personal choice. Just be sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s maintenance protocols. If not properly maintained, bacteria can grow on the filter because the chlorine has been removed. This can actually lead to a bigger problem if the system is not maintained.”

A second mailer circulating is from a company called Utility Management Associates. It offers free steak dinners at a local restaurant and promises to show people how to cut their utility bill by up to 55 percent, Scarbrough said. Callers have inquired about AUB’s role in the presentation and how to sign up.

“Again, my guess is that this is a presentation that will end with a sales pitch for insulation, vinyl siding, windows or something similar, though I don't know for sure. I tried to call the company for information, but could only reach a recorded message targeting those who wish to sign up for the presentation. This is not affiliated with AUB in any way,” he said.