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Skyway Water & Sewer District
COVID-19 Customer Support Program
On March 18, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-23, (as amended/extended by Proclamations 20-23.1 through 20-23.16) pertaining to Utility Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services. The Governor’s Proclamation 20-23 (as amended/extended), which included a utility late fee/shutoff moratorium, expired September 30, 2021.
On March 24, 2020, Skyway Water & Sewer District (“District”) adopted temporary COVID-19 policies. The District’s temporary COVID-19 policies related to water and sewer service (including suspension of water service terminations, filing of liens, and the accumulation of interest and penalties on unpaid water and sewer bills) will terminate on December 31, 2021.
Effective January 1, 2022, the District’s standard policies for non-payment, late fees and liens are reinstated, including but not limited to, as follows:
- Customer accounts for water and/or sewer service charges are considered past due if not paid by the due date (by the end of the month following the service period) and are subject to a 10% late penalty.
- Past due amounts for water service charges not paid within 30 days of the due date are subject to turnoff/suspension and the District may record a lien against the property (property owner is responsible for cost of lien).
- Past due amounts for sewer service charges not paid within 30 days of the due date and the District may record a lien against the property lien (property owner is responsible for cost of lien).
- Service will not be re-established to a property unless the account is brought current and all charges are paid in full including late fees, penalties and liens including interest.
Skyway Water & Sewer District is committed to keeping our customers connected to essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency and promoting a safe work environment for our employees. If you experience hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for support, including long-term payment arrangements or bill assistance. https://www.skywayws.org/forms/000166.pdf
In addition to collaborating with federal, state and local agencies to support customers who have experienced economic hardship as a direct result of COVID-19, COVID-19 Payment Plans are being made available to eligible customers.
COVID-19 Payment Plans
From November 15, 2021 through January 31, 2022, customers who are unable to pay their bills for water and/or sewer service in a timely manner due to the impact of COVID-19 may apply for extended payment arrangements for a period not to exceed one (1) year. For extenuating circumstances, the District General Manager has the authority to approve longer-term payment arrangements of up to eighteen (18) months. The following conditions apply:
- Charges accrued for services beginning January 1, 2020 will be eligible for payment terms based on customer self-certification of hardship.
- Customers with past due accounts who do not apply for and enter into a Payment Agreement with the District by January 31, 2022, will be subject to disconnect, late penalties, liens, fees and other remedies in accordance with the District’s standard policies and RCW 57.08.081.
- Payment arrangements where the customer consistently pays the agreed monthly amount plus the current charges will not have service disconnected.
- If agreed payment arrangements are not kept, water service may be interrupted or a sewer lien filed once the arrangement becomes sixty (60) days past due.
- A residential customer whose financial condition changes during the term of a Payment Agreement, or a customer who defaults on a Payment Agreement, and who seeks to reestablish payment arrangements, may do so one time under the same terms described above.
The District can extend flexible payment terms to customers in response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, however the District cannot “forgive” water and sewer service billings under Washington State law.
COVID Payment Plan Application Form
Existing District Customer Assistance Program (Salvation Army)
The District has an existing assistance program with Salvation Army for qualifying single-family residential households. Information on the program can be found here: How Can I Get Help with My Bill?.
Existing District Low-Income Senior/Disability Discount Program
The District has in place a rate reduction program for qualifying low Income seniors and disabled individuals. Information on that program and application form can be found here.
If you have any questions about any of the above Skyway Water & Sewer District Customer Assistance Programs, please call us at (206) 772-7343.
OTHER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
If you are experiencing financial hardship and unable to pay your bill, you may be able to request utility bill assistance from another local agency or organization. The District maintains a list of such organizations on its website and can be found here: https://www.skywayws.org/faq.php
October 1, 2021EXTENDED! COVID-19 Temporary Billing and Collection Policies
COVID-19 Response: Temporary Billing and Collection Policies Extended
On March 24, 2020, the Skyway Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners authorized the following temporary billing and collections policies and practices in response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic:
- Water shut offs for non-payment are temporarily suspended.
- When staff become aware of a property that was previously shut off and that is legally occupied, the District will temporarily restore service.
- The District will temporarily suspend charging late fees and lien interest charges.
- The District will continue to charge customers accounts for water and/or sewer service. The District cannot “forgive” water and sewer service billings under Washington State law.
These temporary policies will remain in effect until December 31, 2021. Additionally:
Questions about these temporary policies should be sent to info@skywayws.org
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