Phoenix Water Services announced on October 1, 2026, that it will resume water shutoffs in November for more than 9,000 seriously delinquent residential accounts in the city. Officials said the phased disconnection plan aims to address nearly $24 million in unpaid balances while protecting the utility’s long-term financial stability.
The resumption of water shutoffs will begin with a phased approach in November 2026, prioritizing accounts based on the amount owed and the length of delinquency, Phoenix Water Services officials said. The phased enforcement plan is intended to give customers an opportunity to address their overdue balances before service is interrupted, officials added.
More than 9,000 residential accounts are currently classified as seriously delinquent, representing nearly $24 million in unpaid balances that include water-service charges, taxes, and fees, according to data cited by the City of Phoenix Water Services Department.
Phoenix Water Services emphasized that customers will not face immediate disconnection after missing a payment, and the city will send a notice of nonpayment detailing the amount due and the deadline to avoid suspension. Notices may be delivered by mail or electronically for those enrolled in electronic billing. City code requires no further notice after the initial nonpayment notice, and water service cannot be suspended on Fridays, weekends, city-observed holidays, or the day before such holidays, according to municipal regulations.
Customers with delinquent accounts are encouraged to contact Phoenix Water Services Customer Services at 602-262-6251, where representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payments can be made through the city’s customer-services portal prior to receiving a shutoff notice. After a notice is issued, the city directs customers to use a 24-hour automated telephone system to pay the full balance. Payments made by 4 p.m. on a regular business day may result in same-day water restoration; payments made after that time, or on weekends and holidays, generally lead to restoration on the next business day, according to city guidelines.
Under the city’s municipal code, a $55 delinquent turn-off fee applies when water service is suspended for nonpayment. Customers unable to pay their bills are advised to contact Water Services to discuss assistance or payment arrangements. The city provides Financial Assistance for Phoenix Water Customers resources and has previously allocated residential utility-assistance funding to support those with delinquent accounts, city officials confirmed. However, once service has progressed from low-flow status to shutoff, the full balance must be paid before water service is restored.
The resumption of water shutoffs marks the end of an extended suspension of standard revenue-enforcement practices that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, Phoenix restored water service to delinquent accounts as part of a pandemic-era response aimed at protecting residential customers from losing water service. The October 1 announcement from the City of Phoenix Water Services Department signals a return to pre-pandemic enforcement policies to maintain the utility’s long-term financial stability while addressing the significant unpaid balances.
Phoenix Water Services officials noted that the phased disconnection plan is designed to prevent unpaid balances from becoming increasingly difficult for customers to manage. The city has not indicated that all 9,000-plus seriously delinquent accounts will be disconnected simultaneously, underscoring the department’s intent to balance enforcement with opportunities for payment and assistance.
The department’s rules and procedures for water-service disconnection require adherence to specific notice and timing protocols, ensuring that customers receive clear communication before service interruptions occur. These protocols include restrictions on disconnections during weekends and holidays and specify that service restoration depends on full payment of the delinquent balance, including applicable fees.
As Phoenix moves forward with resuming water shutoffs, officials continue to encourage customers with unpaid balances to engage with Water Services to explore assistance options and avoid service interruptions. The phased enforcement and customer outreach efforts reflect the city’s approach to managing the financial challenges posed by widespread delinquency while maintaining essential water services.
Comments are closed.