Toledo will complete water for unpaid bills from April

Toledo, Ohio – Access to running water is a fundamental need that many consider granted. But for some Toledoans it has become a challenge to pay for this water.

Doug Stephens, Toledo's director for public supply companies, has recorded an increase in delinquent water and wastewater bills since the Covid 19 pandemic.

“We used to have a pre-pandemic, such as a crime rate of 3%,” said Stephens. “Now we are between 4.25 and 4.5%.”

A crime rate is the percentage of unpaid invoices compared to the city's total population. For this reason, the city's ungregated debt increases. From January 25, the city has over 16 million US dollars of unpaid water bills and more than 29 million US dollars of outstanding sewers.

“I have the feeling that the number is very important,” said Stephens.

Stephens warned that unpaid invoices could lead to higher interest rates for those who pay on time.

“This is money that our pay payers will ultimately have to cover through future interest increases if we are unable to collect from everyone,” he said.

He added that Toledo's rising water and wastewater debt from a policy is due to a policy during pandemic.

In March 2020, the Toledo City Council put a moratorium on water degrees, a measure that lasted until September 2022. During this time and until today, the city also focused on the modernization of the water knives in order to deliver more detailed readings.

For this reason, according to Stephen's, the city focused on non -compliance with the degrees.

“Together with our JCI contractor, our employees were so busy to carry out the measurement program that we did not have the ability to make additional degrees,” said Stephens.

He said that the city is planning to resume water degrees for criminal customers in April.

Toledo calculates a late fee of 5% for unpaid bills, but its guidelines differ from the neighboring Oregon.

According to Paul Roman, director of public service, the city in Oregon only calculates a fee of $ 50 for sending a meter reader to switch off the water service after they have served three warnings too late in their payments.

Like Toledo, Oregon made the water degrees during pandemic during the pandemic and was resumed in January 2023. Roman added that the billing problems in Oregon are now minimal because most residents pay their bills in good time.

“Most people were good at paying regardless of this,” said Roman. “You would be upset, and again we have no late fee. It is only charged when we distribute someone to complete them. And I think as soon as people understand that, most people agree.”

Toledoans, who are concerned about their upcoming legislation, can contact the office for public utilities to receive support. Stephens says that they offer a variety of payment plan options. You can find more information here.