12 Mar OWASA Temporarily Suspends Disconnects in Response to COVID-19
UPDATE: Following the expiration of the Orange County State of Emergency on May 1, 2022, OWASA announced the return to Standard Collection Practices effective June 1, 2022.
Below update was originally posted in July 2021:
UPDATE: Orange County announced on July 23, 2021, the county would extend its State of Emergency indefinitely. Therefore, OWASA has extended its temporary suspension of standard collection practices, including service disconnects for individually metered residential customers.
Below update was originally posted in June 2021:
UPDATE: Orange County announced on June 21, 2021, the county would extend its State of Emergency through July 30, 2021. Therefore, OWASA has extended its temporary suspension of standard collection practices, including service disconnects for individually metered residential customers, through June 30, 2021.
Below update was originally posted in March 2021:
UPDATE: Orange County announced on March 18, 2021, the county would extend its State of Emergency through June 30, 2021. Therefore, OWASA has extended its temporary suspension of standard collection practices, including service disconnects for individually metered residential customers, through June 30, 2021.
Below update was originally posted in December 2020:
UPDATE: Orange County announced on December 16, 2020, the county would extend its State of Emergency through March 31, 2021. Therefore, OWASA has extended its temporary suspension of standard collection practices, including service disconnects for individually metered residential customers, through March 31, 2021.
Below update was originally posted in July 2020:
UPDATE: Following the expiration of Executive Order 142 on July 29, 2020, OWASA extended its temporary suspension of standard collection practices, including service disconnects, through December 31, 2020.
Below update was originally posted in May 2020:
UPDATE: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 142 on May 30, 2020. The order continues the statewide prohibition of service disconnections by utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic for another 60 days, until July 29, 2020. The order also continues the prohibition on charging late fees or other penalties on bills due after March 31 and states that payment plans be offered to customers to pay off accumulated debt over at least a six-month period. If you are able, please consider donating to OWASA’s Care to Share program that assists customers struggling to pay their water bill.
Below update was originally posted on March 31, 2020:
UPDATE: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 124 on March 31, 2020. The order prohibits utilities from terminating service to customers due to non-payment for 60 days. The order also prohibits late fees being charged on bills due after March 31 and states that reasonable payment arrangement be made available to customers to pay off accumulated debt over at least a six-month period. OWASA’s Care to Share program also assists customers who struggle to pay their water bill.
Below article was originally posted on March 12, 2020:
OWASA has temporarily suspended all disconnects for non-payment of bills. 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.
OWASA is encouraging customers to utilize bill payment methods other than paying in-person at the administrative office, including paying by phone, online, or through the drop-box in front of the office.