Wilmington to Resume Water Disconnections for Delinquent Utility Bills on Wednesday, June 9

June 3, 2021

Utility shut offs have been suspended since March of 2020 due to the pandemic

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said today the City will resume water disconnections for chronically delinquent water utility customers beginning next Wednesday, June 9.

“The water disconnection warning system is very effective in demonstrating to chronically and seriously delinquent customers that they can lose their water service if they don’t pay their bill or to at least make a payment arrangement,” said Mayor Purzycki. “It’s important that the City have this leverage because without it, customers who pay their bills each month will continue to subsidize those who fail to even make an effort to pay for water usage. It was the right call to suspend water disconnections last year as the pandemic set in, and it’s the right call now to resume the practice.”

Mayor Purzycki said water customers are encouraged to call Wilmington’s 311 Customer Service Center if they have a question about a bill or a need to resolve a delinquency.  The Mayor said the City offers generous payment alternatives, including payments over time and reductions in penalties and interest if eligible. And, he noted, Wilmington offers financial assistance for utility customers who are income eligible.

Photo By Saquan Stimpson

 

According to the City’s water disconnection policy:

•being delinquent in payments for more than 60 days will make a customer eligible for a water disconnection notice; however, the City will be focusing on its most outstanding and largest delinquencies during the next six months.

•customers are urged to access Wilmington’s Utility Program Assistance Fund for help in paying a bill at this link.

•a customer who receives a water disconnection notice should immediately contact the 311 Customer Service Center to enter into a payment agreement that could possibly include dismissing some of the penalties and interest, or to enroll in the Utility Program Assistance Fund.

•customers who are already on a payment arrangement will not receive a water disconnection notice unless they fail to stay current with their monthly payment charge

•customers can avoid a water disconnection notice by reviewing their bills monthly. After a customer is more than 30 days delinquent, they should call 311, request payment assistance, and speak to an Account Services representative.

•customers can also dispute their water bills by calling 311. We are committed to working with each customer to ensure that the bill is correct based on consumption and previous payment information.