The Amarillo Globe-News reported that since Aug. 1, the city disconnected 345 water accounts for nonpayment.
David Henry, the city’s communications manager, wrote via an Aug. 17 email in response to a Globe-News email inquiry regarding water service disconnections. “These disconnections represent the most delinquent accounts from as far back as November of 2019. A significant number of delinquent customers have come in to make arrangements. We continue to work with all customers to set up payment arrangements even if service has already been interrupted.”
In March, the city announced it had temporarily stopped the disconnection of water service due to nonpayment for all customers, a move that came as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city’s Communications Department issued a media release on July 23 indicating the city’s Utility Billing Department would resume normal business practices and billing procedures on Aug. 1 that would include water service disconnection actions.
On July 28 Henry indicated as of May 2020 there were over 20,000 residential water service accounts in delinquent status, adding that number does not include account holders that have contacted the Utility Billing department requesting a payment arrangement.
Source: Amarillo Globe-News