Tucson Water provides service to more than 700,000 people, or about 80% of the area’s population. More than 22,000 customers are in some stage of delinquency on their bills.
Thousands of Tucson Water customers behind on their bills will have to start paying up soon as the city plans to lift a moratorium on utility shut-offs in mid-March.
On Tuesday, the Tucson mayor and council directed Tucson Water to resume shutting off water accounts for nonpayment beginning March 15.
As of this week, more than 22,000 Tucson Water customers were in some stage of delinquency on their bills, Tucson Water spokesman Fernando Molina said.
An action plan presented to the council by Tucson Water shows that as of Jan. 28, about 8,500 customers were on their third delinquency notice, which would normally trigger scheduling of a service shut-off.
The utility says it’s working to notify customers of the impending change and to make customers aware of the more than $1 million in utility bill-paying assistance that is still available for COVID-related financial hardship.
“Our main message to customers behind on their bills is to please get in touch with us before March 15,” said John Kmiec, interim director of Tucson Water.
Kmiec noted that the utility has several ways to help customers bring their accounts current, including special COVID-related bill assistance, regular assistance programs and extended payment plans.
Customers already enrolled in Tucson Water’s low-income assistance program will get an extra 30 days, until mid-April, before they are subject to shut-off.
Tucson Water provides service to more than 700,000 people, or about 80% of the Tucson-area population, through about 235,000 customer connections.
The utility, which bills for water, sewer and garbage collection services, said the amount owed on delinquent bills ballooned from about $3 million normally to nearly $9 million amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that had dropped to around $7 million by the end of January
In its request to the council, Tucson Water said the shut-off moratorium in place since last March has made it difficult to collect payments or enroll customers in the utility’s low-income rate program.
Suspended late fees have also cost Tucson Water an estimated $2 million.
The City Council has approved $1.5 million in utility bill-paying assistance — $500,000 each for water, sewer and garbage services — for customers with incomes of less than 200% of the federal poverty level, which based on the 2020 federal income level amounts to $52,400 for a family of four.
Tucson Water has received about 2,200 applications for aid from the city fund and approved about 1,600, Molina said.
The assistance program helps customers pay half their outstanding service charges if they agree to get on a 12-month payment plan for the remaining balance.
Tucson Water is urging customers with delinquent accounts to take the following actions:
- Check your utility services statement to ensure you are current on your bill.
- Check your mail for any notices from Tucson Water, which will be sending notices to all delinquent customers.
- To make payments, go to
- or call 791-3242.
- Visit
- or call 791-3253 to see if you qualify for COVID-related utility assistance for water, sewer and trash services.
- Visit
COVID-19 vaccination clinic, retirement community
Otilia Aragon, a resident of The Fountains at La Cholla retirement community, reaches out to touch the face of her daughter Melinda Aragon-Morales, a pharmacist with CVS, who administered the Moderna vaccine to her mother during a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination clinic at The Inn At The Fountains, 5830 N Fountains Ave., on Feb. 9, 2021. "I was really excited," Morales said about administering the vaccine to her mother, "especially in this kind of setting where we haven’t been able to see [family] in a long time." Morales had not seen her mother in several months due to the ongoing pandemic. The clinic is the first of two days where the 585 residents and staff at the retirement community will receive vaccinations for COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccinations, University of Arizona Mall
People are directed into the line at the University of Arizona's COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination facilities on the UA Mall in Tucson, Ariz., February 5, 2021.
COVID-19, clinic, TCC
The line wends though the parking lots and along the southeastern doors and windows outside the Tucson Convention Center as hundreds wait in line for hours to get the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, Tucson, Ariz., February 4, 2021. The age cut off for vaccination was lowered to 70 years of age.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Resident Victor Braun laughs with a CVS Pharmacy health care worker after getting his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
A health care worker with CVS Pharmacy preloads a syringe with the first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Gordon Starr quickly gets his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Starr was among the facility's residents and staff taking part in a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Nurse Jose Cruz helps member Nelda Clark get her next appointment photographed and stored in her phone after she got her first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
James Sugg gets his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Member Terrence Carden get his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine on the second day of a two program at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Constance Jill Hofer gets her first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program. Vaccinations were administered in conjunction with CVS and members monitored by the facility's in-house TMCOne nurses.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Right now, Pima County is in Phase 1B of its vaccination plan and is inoculating people 70 and older, and law enforcement, education and child care providers.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Clifford Daigler, registered nurse, receives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center began administering Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers in Pima County. TMC administered 1,100 total vaccines between their two clinic sites in the first day of vaccinations, said Claudia Koreny, director of pharmacy for TMC.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Needles containing the Moderna vaccine in the Tucson Medical Center drive-thru tent at, on Jan. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Ann Boice receives the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during the administration vaccination to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Annie Waits, a volunteer nurse and vaccinator, administers the Moderna vaccine to a patient in the drive-thru program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Steve Patalsky, left, associate director of pediatric bone-marrow transplant, goes over information about the COVID-19 vaccine with Sayea Jenabzadeh, nurse anesthetist, inside the COVID-19 vaccine observation stage at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines were given to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Amy Lopez, left, registered nurse in peri-operative service, and her husband Dr. Mike Lopez, anesthesiologist, talk while waiting for their 15 minutes observation period after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines are given in Pima County to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center. "It felt like a normal shot," said Amy Lopez. When asked if they were nervous, Dr. Mike Lopez answered "I was ready to be patient one."
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Samantha Penn, pharmacist, waits in line with other healthcare workers while people get checked-in for their COVID-19 vaccination appointments at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
After receiving the second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Pima County, Melissa Zukowski, medical director of emergency department at Banner-University Medicine Tucson, gives a thumbs-ups to her daughter Sophia Smallwood, left, at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Leticia Riesgo, a City of Tucson employee, helps check people into the vaccination clinic for Phase 1B.1.b Prioritized Essential Workers at the Tucson Convention Center, on Jan. 21, 2021. The TCC clinic administered 686 out of a projected 600 vaccines on Jan. 20. They were over 300 vaccinations at midday on Jan. 21.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
A person walks past a sign for the vaccination clinic for Phase 1B.1.b Prioritized Essential Workers at the Tucson Convention Center, on Jan. 21, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Iris Delfakis, oncology nurse navigator for the Arizona Cancer Center, looks to other nurses as she waits to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Cristina Torres.
at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines are given in Pima County went to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Tucson Police Officer Roman Acosta is administered the Moderna vaccine at a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine clinic at the Tucson Convention Center located at 260 S. Church Ave., on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Tal Caspi, a volunteer, answers questions for members of the public before they receive their first vaccine shot for the coronavirus at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way in Tucson, Ariz., on January 18, 2021. Members of the public who fall into the Phase 1B group are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Phase 1B includes people over 75 years old, educators and first responders.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Tom Woythal, 85, and his wife, Elizabeth, 82, wait for their opportunity to receive a vaccination shot for the coronavirus at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way in Tucson, Ariz., on January 18, 2021. Woythal says he had been waiting 55 minutes but was happy to wait. Members of the public who fall into the Phase 1B group are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Phase 1B includes people over 75 years old, educators and first responders.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
A patient looks over paperwork while waiting 15 minutes after receiving the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Tucson Police Department Chief Chris Magnus receives the Moderna vaccine at a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine clinic at the Tucson Convention Center located at 260 S. Church Ave., on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
People wait in the to be given the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility are now being allowed to receive the vaccination at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
People eligible for the 1B phase of Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination stand in line outside the Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center to receive the shot, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
A pharmacist prepares a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to be administered to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Sgt. Michael Moseley receives the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during the administration of the vaccination to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
People eligible for the 1B phase of Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination stand in line outside the Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center to receive the shot, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Pharmacists prepare Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations to be administered to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Mike Collier, a volunteer doctor with the Medical Reserve Corps, administers a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine while working his shift in the drive-thru vaccination program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 8, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
“We thought this would be a more efficient and timely process,” says Arizona AARP director Dana Kennedy. “Did they overpromise?”
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Pharmacist Keith Boesen (right) drops off needles containing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at the station of Mike Collier (left), a volunteer doctor with the Medical Reserve Corps, during the drive-thru vaccination program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 8, 2021.
- for information on all COVID-19-related assistance available in the region.
Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz.
David Wichner
Reporter
David joined the Star in 1997, after working as a consumer and business reporter in Phoenix for more than a decade. A graduate of Ohio University, he has covered most business beats focusing on technology, defense and utilities. He has won several awards.
