Utilities reassure customers of available resources
With many stores in the Pahrump area out of bottled water, the Great Basin Water District offered some reassurance to local customers about their in-home water sources, even as GBWD closed its doors to the public on Monday “to protect the safety of our staff, visitors and the community.”
“GBWD is taking all reasonable and appropriate, science-based actions required to mitigate the impacts the COVID-19 outbreak on our employees and customers,” Vice President of External Affairs Michael H. Phillips said in a prepared statement on Monday.
Several weeks ago, according to Phillips, GBWD began planning and executing preparedness activities by instituting an Incident Command Task Force “that is charged with focused on protecting employee and public health and ensuring we continue to provide our customers and communities with safe, reliable water and wastewater services.”
First and foremost, said Phillips, “the treatment protocols we use in all our water and wastewater plants are designed to address any pathogens (including coronaviruses) that may be present in the source water.”
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the COVID 19 virus has not been detected in any drinking water system. “Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19,” according to the CDC website FAQs.
“GBWC is a well-based system. We use treatment equipment and chemicals to address any bacteria or viruses present in that source before the water is distributed throughout the system to customers,” said Phillips.
Phillips said GBWD, which is regulated by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, conducted a “remote pilot work exercise” on Friday, March 13, testing “administrative and IT systems needed to support implementation of a temporary remote work policy.” With the tests deemed successful, GBWD “determined the next best step to protect the safety of our staff, visitors and the community is to temporarily close our offices.”
The offices will be closed until at least March 30, 2020, “but we will still be operationally capable, including performing routine maintenance and ensuring our systems are fully functioning. Our customer contact centers are fully operational,” However, Phillips noted that longer than normal hold times could occur.
“In recognition that the services we provide – water delivery and wastewater collection and treatment – are essential to the health, safety and welfare of the communities we serve,” said Phillips, the company has implemented some measures of note, including:
■ Suspending disconnection and late fees until further notice. This went into effect March 10.
■ Chemicals and critical spare parts inventories are being assessed and preparations made to ensure enough supplies are kept on hand to maintain essential business operations.
■ Updating and completing Facility Emergency Action plans to ensure appropriate protective and disinfection actions are taken if COVID-19 infects one or more employees.
■ Regular, essential operational and field activities, which can be performed using recommended social distancing measures, will continue, however GBWD has suspended all non-essential business travel until further notice.
Additionally, said Phillips, “GBWD has reached out to the other two water companies in Pahrump and recommending field technician sharing assistance to one another should one of us become subject to a staffing shortage due to quarantine or otherwise.”
“As the situation continues to develop, we will closely monitor guidance provided by the CDC, the World Health Organization and our state and local public health agencies and make decisions accordingly.”
Disconnections put on hold
Pahrump Utility Company Inc. is temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment to support customers who might experience financial hardship or isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This step is being taken to ensure our customers have the certainty of water and sewer service during an otherwise uncertain time in many of their lives," a release from Pahrump Utility Co. stated. "We are working closely with the state of Nevada, local agencies and other utilities in the Pahrump Valley during this state of emergency."
The utility also announced that it is working with customers who are economically impacted by the virus' spread by waiving deposits and fees for late payments, along with providing payment plans, as needed.
Pahrump Utility Co. can be reached at 775-727-1629 or more information can be found at Pahrump utility.com
Pahrump Utility's office is closed to the public but regular business hours will be maintained by email and phone. A drop box is available at the front door to drop off payments and applications at the utility's office at 5250 Hafen Ranch Road.
The utility also spoke about the safety of its water during the spread of COVID-19.
Pahrump Utility's "drinking water is treated using chlorination, which is effective at removing contaminants from water," the release stated. "Chlorination is extremely effective at destroying viruses and microorganisms during the water treatment process and maintaining disinfection throughout the water system."
Earlier this month, Great Basin Water Co. announced it is also ceasing shutoffs amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
Effective immediately, Great Basin Water Co. is suspending water service shutoffs for delinquent payments "in order to support community efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19," Wendy Barnett, president of Great Basin Water Co., said in a press release. This includes all of its service territories, and the company is set to reconnect service to customers that have been disconnected "due to lack of payment on delinquent accounts."
"As a public utility, GBWC understands our obligations to the communities we serve, and that includes the personal safety of our neighbors through personal sanitation," said Barnett. "We know a safe and reliable source of potable water is vital for hand washing, surface cleaning, and other measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19."
Great Basin is notifying customers impacted by the decision and reconnections are planned to occur promptly. The policy is set to remain in effect until March 30 and will be reevaluated at that time.
"Customers who are behind on their bills are encouraged to bring them current or discuss their options with GBWC customer service as the suspension of shutoffs is only temporary," the release stated.
"Maintaining service to our customers is a step we are taking to support the health and well-being of our customers and communities. We encourage everyone to read and follow the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to protect themselves and their families," Barnett said.
—Jeffrey Meehan, Pahrump Valley Times
