East SBV Times

After suspending disconnections for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Rialto/Rialto Utility Authority is announcing that the disconnection of past due accounts and late payment penalties will resume beginning February 2023. This announcement follows a vote by the City of Rialto City Council/Rialto Utility Authority at the January 10, 2023 Council Meeting.

 All customers will receive a postcard in late January notifying them that the Water Moratorium has ended. Starting in February 2023, all delinquent accounts will receive a letter explaining late payment penalties and potential water turn-offs with a 60 day notice as well as a subsequent 30 day notice. Notices will continue 14 days and 5 days prior to water turn off, and only those accounts at that time which are delinquent with no payment arrangement will then be disconnected. 

 The City will continue to prioritize providing residents and businesses with resources, options, and additional time to bring their accounts current. Customers who have past due balances are strongly encouraged to contact Rialto Water Services at (909) 820-2546 to set up a payment plan and learn about available assistance programs. In addition, late payment penalties will resume on any balance past due starting February 1, 2023.  

 “The last thing we want to do is discontinue anyone’s water service. Our goal is to help our customers through difficult times, and we ask that they contact us as soon as possible so that we can discuss options and get their accounts back on track,” said Mayor Deborah Robertson. 

 To assist residential and business customers with past-due balances, the City of Rialto/Rialto Utility Authority has assisted in various programs and penalty waivers over the past two years totaling just over $5 million dollars.  

  “While the state moratorium on shutoffs ended in December 2021, the City choose to extend the moratorium an additional year to allow customers to adjust to the payment requirements lifted on their other rents and utilities and to establish user-friendly payment programs,” explained Utilities Manager Thomas J. Crowley. The City’s payment plans are individually tailored to each customer’s needs and can be extended as much as 12 months. All customers with a past due balance can enroll in a payment program regardless of their income level. 

 For additional resources, go to www.rialtowater.com or call (909) 820-2546. 

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