The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to eliminate an account delinquency fee.

The $45 fee charged customers who had two consecutive unpaid bills. OWASA had used the fee to recoup money from disconnections and reconnections for those customers.

OWASA said the elimination of the fee furthers the utility service’s priority on “equity of essential services for all customers.” The board said they wanted to eliminate the fee prior to the first possible disconnections of service in August now that OWASA is resuming standard collection practices.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity and a very positive step to move forward with eliminating the fee,” Board member Elmira Mangum said in a release.

OWASA collected an annual average of $33,615 from the fee between July 2016 and June 2019.

The elimination of the delinquency fee went into effect immediately.

 

Photo via Orange Water and Sewer Authority

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
OWASA Sets Date for Full Closure of W. Rosemary Street. Here's What You Need to Know
As part of an extensive water main replacement by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, part of West Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill is set to close to all traffic in the coming weeks.
Water Main Break Causes Emergency Repairs, Lane Closures on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill
Part of East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill was shut down Friday morning as crews respond to a leaking water main that spilled water onto the road.
W. Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill Closed Amid Water Main Break
An alert shared by the Chapel Hill Police Department warned community members of a water main break along West Rosemary Street at 7:53 a.m.
OWASA Receives Nearly $2 Million in PFAS Treatment Settlement
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority announced Thursday it has received $1.96 million for PFAS treatment as part of a settlement with the company 3M, a major manufacturer of PFAS. According to OWASA, the funds will be used to offset the cost of treatment to reduce PFAS in the community’s drinking water. PFAS is an […]
OWASA's Extensive West Rosemary Street Project Begins on Nov. 3. Here Are The Details
OWASA plans to begin its construction Monday, Oct. 20 to replace a water main on Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill.
OWASA Sets Downtown Chapel Hill Water Line Replacement, Road Closure for October
A significant OWASA water line replacement project is set to close parts of West Rosemary Street for roughly 18 months starting this fall.
Viewpoints: University Lake Dam and Recent Flooding of Morgan Creek
As OWASA works alongside our local government counterparts to repair damage caused by Tropical Depression Chantal, we are struck by the devastation our community has experienced.
Community Members Donate To Support Baxter Bar & Arcade Following Water Main Break
After suffering a water main failure, The Baxter Arcade and Bar turned to the community for support in the form of a GoFundMe campaign.
OWASA Prepares for Public Hearing While Weighing Latest Round of Rate Increases
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority, OWASA, is considering a 7% rate increase to help cover project costs for major infrastructure upgrades.
Water Main Break Closes Chapel Hill Road; OWASA Issues Boil Water Advisory for Affected Customers
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority responded to a water main break in Chapel Hill on Thursday morning along Willow Drive.
›