The TWSA board adopted this policy during its regular meeting Tuesday, March 17, and it became effective the following day. No disconnections will be performed from March 18 through the lifting of a declared State of Emergency from the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Any customer whose water or sewer service was disconnected prior to the policy’s effective date can request to have service re-established. For these customers, TWSA will waive collection of the reconnection fee and suspend collection of service deposits, past due balances and late fees. Payment of service deposits, past due balances and late fees will be required when the State of Emergency ends and may be paid via a payment plan, with exception of the service deposit, which must be paid in full.

The policy will remain in effect until the county lifts its State of Emergency or until the TWSA Board of Directors otherwise modifies or revokes it.

Duke Energy has taken a similar step, announcing March 13 that effective immediately it would suspend all disconnections for nonpayment. The policy applies to both home and business accounts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.