The Suffolk County Water Authority reports its recent lien initiative aimed at addressing long-overdue water bills had resulted in a significant reduction in the number of accounts in arrears.
In June, SCWA announced that it would place liens on properties that are in arrears more than $1,000 and 60 days past due as of May 31. Affected customers were offered the opportunity to make payments by August 31 to avoid a lien. SCWA stated that last week, as the deadline approached, the program has been effective in encouraging payments and ensuring the utility’s long-term financial stability — with a 27 percent reduction in the number of active accounts that would be affected this year.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of our outreach to customers and the success of this initiative,” SCWA Board Chairman Charles Lefkowitz said. “We are safeguarding the financial health of our operations and demonstrating our willingness to work with our customers to get them back in good standing.”
Overdue customers who failed to make a payment by August 31 will have a lien placed on their next property tax bill, allowing SCWA to recoup more than $2.9 million in unpaid charges. The lien initiative came in response to an unprecedented increase in delinquent accounts following the COVID-19 pandemic and were designed to discourage further accumulation of debt, according to SCWA.
CEO Jeffrey Szabo added: “The response from our customers is a positive step on our mission to bring the amount of unpaid bills back down. We understand the challenges faced by many during these times and remain steadfast in our commitment to assisting residents in finding solutions.”
Overdue customers can contact the customer service center at 631-698-9500 to discuss options for payment.
Staff Writer on Aug 30, 2023