Nearly 1,600 people at risk of losing utilities as Columbia resumes disconnections
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia Utilities Department announced in a Thursday press release that it will soon resume utility disconnections as the area begins to enter a warm weather season.
City of Columbia Utilities does not disconnect electric customers when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to drop below 32 degrees during a 72-hour period, the release says. It also will not schedule disconnections when temperatures rise past 95 degrees or if the heat index is at 105 degrees over a 72-hour period, the release says.
A Water and Light spokesman told ABC 17 News that there are currently 1,572 accounts pending for disconnection because of nonpayment.
Data provided by the city shows that total number is down from Feb. 3, where 1,759 residential customers and 77 commercial customers were determined to be delinquent, resulting in the city being out $548,690.
There were 690 customers who experienced disconnection in October and November, right before the city halted disconnections for cold weather.
Utility customers must pay past-due balances to avoid being disconnected, the release says. Customers can check their account at MyUtilityBill.CoMo.gov or make payments at Pay.CoMo.gov.
City of Columbia Utilities customers who are in need of utility payment assistance can contact Utility Customer Service – 573-874-7380 -- for more information, the release states. Information from the city shows 65 customers signed up for utility assistance in January.
