Monday trash pickup at your house? Robo-call on the way!

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Seattle Public Utilities sent this late today:

Nearly 4300 single-family West Seattle residences – whose garbage, yard waste or recycling collection day is Monday, February 20 – will receive a recorded phone message on Thursday afternoon, February 16, reminding them that collections are on a normal schedule for the President’s Day holiday on Monday, February 20.

The automatic phone message is an opportunity for Seattle Public Utilities to use its outdialer system during a non-emergency event while still conveying valuable information to its customers. From information gathered from using the system, Seattle Public Utilities will be better prepared to convey critical information to members of the public during emergency events.

We think this is a first, but we’re checking.

ADDED 9:49 PM: SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin confirms to WSB that this is a test of sorts:

Yes, this will be the first time SPU is using its new outdialer system. At this point, we haven’t determined if it will be used for regular outreach messages, like holiday garbage pick-up, or if it will be used primarily for emergency communications. That’s something we’ll be evaluating from feedback we receive from our customers and other sources

Near Alki February 15, 2012 (6:29 pm)

Reticules…really? I’m annoyed just thinking about my phone ringing thursday night with THAT robo call. I hope they call while I’m sitting down to dinner with my family, or helping my kids with homework.

Near Alki February 15, 2012 (6:40 pm)

Oops…I meant rediculous…darn you autocorrect ;)

Jordan February 15, 2012 (8:45 pm)

Funny that people would complain. It will probably occur during the daytime hours. Best to test these things before it is critical, and unfortunately, the only way to test a major system like this is to let it make phone calls.

I for one think this is an excellent idea.

miws February 15, 2012 (9:18 pm)

Ah the modern age we live in!

I’m a bit curious though, and I don’t even really know why, but I wonder if the robo-call systems the various City Departments use is totally computer generated, including the audible message itself, or if there’s some human element to it, such as a real person making the recording.

Mike

KBear February 15, 2012 (9:58 pm)

Good grief, Near Alki! They’re going to come out to your house and pick up your garbage, so you don’t have to take it to the dump yourself. And they’re going to call you to confirm that they’re going to do it even on a holiday. This isn’t one of those calls where they ask you for money. What exactly is your complaint?

dsa February 15, 2012 (10:38 pm)

The test info robocall is fine, but I guess I didn’t realize the city utility had my unlisted landline number. We’ll see if I get a call.

rocky raccoon February 15, 2012 (11:19 pm)

Good grief, what a Luddite! Sitting down to dinner with your family is so early twentieth century!

A February 16, 2012 (4:59 am)

I wish they’d have an option of email or text message. I don’t have a landline and I spend all day on the phone at work, so not only do I use minutes on a robo call, it feels intrusive for me. Additionally, lots of times these type of calls are after my husband and I are in bed since we both work very early am.

In the scheme of things, the comment above is right: it’s what we call a “First World Problem” and not worth getting worked up over. However I would like to have a choice to opt for text or email instead if possible.