SUEZ Pandemic Priorities: Water Safety, Service

PEARL RIVER, NY — As the new coronavirus spreads through New York, SUEZ officials have announced drinking water safety and uninterrupted service are their top priorities. At the top of the list: the company will not shut off service to those households that haven't paid their bills.

"SUEZ recognizes the critical importance of having water available is heightened during this crisis as washing hands often is one of the most important things one can do to ensure individual health and public safety," officials said Monday.

SUEZ serves nearly 500,000 people in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam and Tioga counties.

In the Hudson Valley, as of midday Monday, Westchester had 220 cases of new coronavirus, 24 of them confirmed since Sunday; Rockland had 16, 3 of them new; Orange has 11, 5 new; Dutchess has 10, 3 confirmed since Sunday; Ulster has 7, 2 of them new; and Putnam has 2. By Monday afternoon, Rockland's total was up to 18.

Topping the company's list: SUEZ will not shut off service for non-payment for the duration of this crisis. Customers who have recently had their service shutoff for non-payment will have it restored as long as the crisis continues. If you receive notice that, due to account arrears, your water is being shut off, please disregard that notification. SUEZ is overriding this pre-programed online notification.

Second: The company is suspending visits to SUEZ offices by customers and the general public. Customers who traditionally pay bills in person are requested to use the website or pay by mail. To pay-by-phone consumers are requested to call Western Union at 1-888-608-6690 or utilize a third-party Western Union payment location.

Meter reading will continue, except where employees would have to enter a customer’s premises to read a meter.

Crews will continue to respond to any emergencies in the field, perform maintenance work on the network, and conduct mandatory water quality tests.

However, appointments that would require SUEZ staff to be in homes will be suspended unless there is an emergency.

The company is monitoring state and national advisories regarding the virus officially called COVID-19 and is following guidance from the CDC and local health and emergency response agencies, SUEZ officials said.

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