The Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority will resume its delinquency process May 1 after resolving a billing issue, it announced Monday.
Customers were warned Feb. 8 that “a small number” of them may have received incorrect information on their monthly bills, despite being charged the correct rate.
WPJWA paused all notices, fees and shut-offs related to late payments until the third week of March, when it “felt comfortable with the billing process,” spokesperson Jennifer Riley said.
Starting May 1, customers with past-due balances will receive yellow notices in the mail. These notices are the first step in the delinquency process, with shut-offs restarting June 3.
WPJWA will waive its usual $6 fee for this first round of notices. However, all accounts that receive notices by certified mail will be charged $8.
Customers unable to afford their balance can arrange a payment plan on or before their shut-off date in person at the WPJWA office, 2200 Robinson Blvd. in Wilkinsburg, or by calling 412-243-6200. A deposit based on the amount owed is required to initiate a payment plan.
The first payment plan is free, with a $5 charge for any future plans.
WPJWA serves about 40,000 customers, primarily in the suburbs east of Pittsburgh.
According to its website, WPJWA provides direct service to Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Rankin, Swissvale, Trafford, Turtle Creek, Wilkinsburg, Wilkins Township and Wilmerding.
It also serves parts of Braddock (4th Ward), Monroeville, Penn Hills, North Huntingdon, North Versailles and Pittsburgh (13th Ward).
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.com.