In tough times, utilities turn off the service

Water shut-offs for customers of the Oak Park Water Service are on the rise, another sign of the struggling economy.

The water service, owned and operated by the Triunfo Sanitation District, said it noticed a significant increase in the number of late bill payments.

About 600 of the water agency's accounts are delinquent and carry penalties, according to Vickie Dragan, Triunfo's director of finance. In July there were 15 shut-off requests. In October there were 42.

In November there were 50 payment extension requests. This month, as of Dec. 15, there were 22.

"Most of the reasons customers are giving us is that they are out of work and have no money," Dragan said. "I believe we will be experiencing more of this. These are tough times that I don't think we've ever seen."

At its December meeting, Triunfo board members discussed finding ways to help customers and reviewing the agency's payment ordinance. Customers don't always call to ask about payment options, Dragan said.

"Hopefully we can go back in January and see what we can do," Dragan said. "Maybe we need to counsel these people and let them know there is welfare or Social Security."

Triunfo board member and Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Dennis Gillette said the trend will also be felt by other utility providers, including electric and gas.

"If they can't pay for water they need to know about service available to them that might help," said Triunfo board member and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks.

Triunfo offers a plan for customers to extend payments from six months to one year.

"I can empathize with people, but we are bound by our ordinance," Dragan said.

Triunfo has 4,200 residential customers and earns about $300,000 in revenues each month.

Bills are sent out on the 20th of every month and are due the 19th or 20th of the following month. If the bill is not paid by the due date a 20 percent penalty is assessed. An additional 1.5 percent penalty is added after two months. On the fifth day of the third month, if the bill is still outstanding, a shutoff warning notice is placed on the customer's door and a $30 fee is assessed. If there is no response within three days the water is turned off. To restore service there is a $30 fee if the water is turned on during business hours; $70 if it is after hours. A day after the water is turned off the Health Department is contacted.

"Every time we go out there time is spent by our employees," Dragan said.

Despite the increase in pastdue accounts, Dragan said there still are residents who give the agency a $500 check to cover the year's bills.

"We do have customers who can't be bothered with paying every month," Dragan said.

" I believe that (Triunfo) has to make sure that a safety net is in place to help those who are unable to pay for their water bills, and I want to see what we can do as soon as possible," said Triunfo Chairperson Janna Orkney.

Another issue of concern to the board is the status of sewer connections. Sewer fees are paid through property taxes, which will be distributed to the agency in January. Triunfo has 12,000 sewer connections. A drop in paid accounts could significantly cut into Triunfo's budget. It can also affect Ventura County's ability to provide support services to help.

"These are the types of things piling up at the same time when we're losing money to provide those services. There are a lot of things that we do to help keep people from ending up homeless," Parks said.

For help with their bills, customers can call (800) 613-0901.