Newport News Waterworks will start disconnecting services for customers with overdue bills in January.
The state’s moratorium on residential utility cutoffs expired Aug. 30, but Newport News Waterworks postponed residential service disconnections to give people additional time to make payment arrangements or find financial assistance.
Waterworks suspended service disconnections in March 2020 — except for those requested by the customer or if it was necessary for repairs — because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This was done so customers did not need to worry about losing service during this challenging time,” the city said in the Thursday edition of its newsletter.
Water service is cut off when residents are more than 60 days past due on payments.
Newport News Waterworks is a regional provider that serves more than 400,000 people in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County.
The water provider will begin shutting off service to commercial and industrial properties that are behind on their bills in October.
Residents and small business owners who faced financial hardship that led to past-due utility bills because of the pandemic may be able to receive help through the Municipal Utility Relief Program. The program was created using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding.
Waterworks has used the program to give more than $2.3 million to eligible customers with no additional fees, charges or interest.
For information on the Municipal Utility Relief Program and to apply for assistance call Waterworks Customer Service at 757-926-1000.
Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com
