COVID-19 State of Emergency – Residential and Small Businesses

December 29, 2021

GREENLAWN WATER DISTRICT
NOTICE TO RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS WATER CUSTOMERS
COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY

Amendments to the NYS Public Service Law effective May 11, 2021 imposed restrictions on municipal water providers regarding termination of water service and the placement or enforcement of liens on real property, for non-payment of charges for water provided to residential customers, including nonresidential customers whose account serves residential premises, and qualified small businesses, during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Water suppliers must notify residential and small business customers of the protections afforded under the law.

The law does not eliminate a customer’s obligation to pay accrued charges. However, customers who have experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 state of emergency must be provided with the opportunity to enter into a deferred payment agreement (DPA) without the imposition of deposits, late fees, or penalties.

Residential customers, non-residential customers whose account serves residential premises, and qualified small business customers with fewer than 25 employees may be eligible to enter into a DPA with the Greenlawn Water District until June 30, 2022.

If a residential customer, a non-residential customer whose account serves residential premises or a qualified small business customer enters into or has an active DPA for which payments are being made in a timely manner, the arrears included in the DPA shall not be considered “unpaid” and therefore shall not be the basis for disconnection nor included in a lien nor serve as the basis for a lien action.

Note additionally that NYS Department of Public Service Guidance requires that until June 30, 2022, municipal water providers shall not terminate or disconnect the service of, or place, sell or enforce any lien on the real property of a residential customer, a non-residential customer whose account serves residential premises, or a qualified small business customer unless, at least 30 days prior to the disconnection or lien action, the provider sends the customer a notice of its intention to take such action.

If you are a residential customer, a nonresidential customer whose account serves residential premises, or a small business that has experienced a change in financial circumstances due to the COVID-19 state of emergency and would like to enter into a DPA for water bill payments, please visit the Greenlawn Water District’s website at https://www.greenlawnwater.org/ or contact the Greenlawn Water District’s offices at (631) 261-0874 or by mail at Greenlawn Water District, 45 Railroad Street, Greenlawn, New York 11740. Additional information and supporting documentation from customers seeking to enter into a DPA may be required.

Please direct all other questions and concerns to the Greenlawn Water District at (631) 261-0874 or info@greenlawnwater.org or by mail at the address set forth above.

To apply for a Deferred Payment Agreement, please click the appropriate link: