Water shutoffs for delinquent payments are expected to resume in Saginaw this summer.
The city said Monday that collection efforts and water service disconnections that were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic will restart July 18.
Saginaw suspended water shutoffs during the COVID pandemic. But the water service debts have swelled to more than $1.5 million.
“This is an issue where there are no easy answers,” said City Manager Tim Morales, “We must begin collecting on City of Saginaw utility accounts to support and maintain our infrastructure.”
The city said it has worked over the past 18 months to help financially struggling residents and business owners and connect them to available assistance from local agencies.
It added that Fiscal Services staff will continue to contact water and sewer customers behind on payments to make payment arrangements or seek assistance.
For Saginaw water customers who are not able to resolve their outstanding bill, city officials encouraged them to make payment arrangements and seek assistance with payments from 211 Northeast Michigan, the state housing development authority's Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund, the state Department of Health and Human Services, or the Saginaw County Community Action Committee.
“We know some customers continue to struggle financially, so financial assistance programs and payment plans are available to help our customers get back on track,” said city Finance Director Lori Brown.
