The Governor’s moratorium on shutting off water service to utility customers
with account delinquencies, which also prohibited the imposition of penalties
for non-payment, expired on September 30th. With that, water utilities are
free to resume service terminations and the imposition of non-payment
penalties on delinquent accounts.
The Lakehaven Board has chosen to delay shutting off customers with
delinquent bills through the end of the year. The purpose for the delay is to allow
customers with delinquent accounts the opportunity to make arrangements
for paying delinquent accounts. Beginning January 1, the District will begin
imposing both interest charges on new delinquencies and penalties, reduced
from 10% to 5%, for non-payment. For accounts where payment arrangements
have not been made, or met, shutoffs on accounts with delinquencies greater
than $500 will start in March. The same will apply to accounts over $200 in
July. On September 1, 2022, all normal collection activities will resume on
accounts where payment arrangements have not be made or met.
Assistance may be available from the King County Multi-Service Center
for low income households with account delinquencies. Their number is
253-838-6810. We also have a limited amount of resources in our existing
Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for funding assistance.
The District is committed to working with you on arrangements that enable
you to pay your account balance and avoid penalties and shutoffs. If you are
unable at the present time to pay your account in full, we urge you to contact
our Customer Service Department to make payment arrangements. The
number to reach Customer Service is 253-946-1516.
Moratorium Ends Issue 196 - Nov/Dec 2021