Elk Grove Water ratepayers will be subjected to late fees, other charges as moratorium expires

In what might be considered a return to normal, water ratepayers will soon be subjected to penalties suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent billing statements to Elk Grove Water District customers, an advisory was included saying that effective March 1, customers will be subjected to late payment penalties, door tag fees, over-the-phone payment fees, and water shut-off resulting from past due payments. 

The executive order issued by California Gov. Gavin Newsom during the early days of the pandemic in 2020 first expired in September 2021. However, subsequent legislation signed into law extended the moratorium date through December 31, 2021.

In their correspondence, the Elk Grove Water District said, "The EGWB encourages all customers with a past due balance to make payment in full, or to set up a payment arrangement to avoid water shut-off." The EGWB can be reached at 916-685-3556.

The EGWD, governed and owned by the Florin Resouces Conservation District, serves customers in Elk Grove east of Highway 99. 

In many American cities, especially those challenged by high poverty rates, water shut-off and access to clean water has become a political and social justice issue. While many poor customers have been subjected to shut-off for non-payment, the United Nations has said, "Access to water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as human rights, reflecting the fundamental nature of these basics in every person's life. Lack of access to safe, sufficient and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity and prosperity of billions of people, and has significant consequences for the realization of other human rights."

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