CITY CHANGES WATER SERVICE DISCONNECTION PROCESS TODAY

The city of Cape Girardeau has changed its procedures for disconnecting water service: Beginning today, the city no longer will use red-tag disconnect notices.

"In many delinquent cases, we were actually duplicating efforts when we used the hang tags," City Collector Mary Thompson said.

Previously, residents received disconnect notices when their bills became delinquent; then, a red tag would be placed on their doors and plans would be made to turn off the water service.

Under the revised process, a customer will receive a delinquent notice in the mail. The notice will inform the customer that a disconnection is pending.

The city won't disconnect water service on a Friday or a day before a holiday in order to give the customer time to pay the bill.

Some landlords pay the water bill directly. If a landlord's account becomes delinquent, the city will notify both tenants and the landlord that water service may be disconnected.

"These changes affect only a small percentage of our water customers," city spokesperson Sherri Finley said. "But it will affect a significant percentage of the water service calls we are currently making."

The city has been averaging 1,100 service calls monthly to hang red tags on doors.

Eliminating the practice will save between 250 and 300 manhours a month, making the notification process more cost effective, Finley said.