Raleigh, OWASA won’t disconnect people’s water over nonpayment during coronavirus scare
Utilities in Wake and Orange Counties said they won’t disconnect people’s water during the “expanding COVID-19 public health emergency.”
The City of Raleigh became the second public water system in the Triangle to suspend water disconnections due to non-payments in the Triangle.
“During this time, we want to ensure all Raleigh Water customers have access to clean drinking water and wastewater services,” according to a city of Raleigh news release Thursday night. “We will continue to monitor guidance from public health agencies and provide updates on this policy moving forward.”
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority, which serves Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC, also made the decision Thursday to give its customers some relief.
The not-for-profit utility will not disconnect anyone who hasn’t paid their water bill for the time being, spokesman Blake Hodge said on its website.
”At this time, everyone across our community needs access to clean, running water in an effort to help protect the community and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation moving forward,” Hodge said.
OWASA also encouraged its customers to pay by phone, online or through the dropbox at its Jones Ferry Road office instead of coming into the office to pay in person.
Raleigh encourages all customers to avoid paying bills in person and to use alternate payment methods, including by mail, online or by calling 919-996-3245.
There are at least 17 coronavirus cases in North Carolina, as of March 12. Many of them are in Wake County, with one of them reported in Johnston County on Thursday.
Charlotte also said it would not disconnect people’s water for nonpayment.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:32 PM with the headline "Raleigh, OWASA won’t disconnect people’s water over nonpayment during coronavirus scare."
