Jefferson County mailed out letters with its bills this week that warn customers with delinquent accounts they may have their water service cut off next month.

After noting its new online payment options, the county notes, “we are also returning to our pre-pandemic protocol.”

That means notifying water providers such as Bessemer Water or Trussville Water that the customer is delinquent and requesting that their water supply be shut off.

“We anticipate resuming water utility shutoffs for unpaid sewer charges in the month of May 2025,” the Sewer Service letter said. “In compliance with our office regulations, we will focus first on customers with balances of $500 or more with three-plus months of unpaid bills.”

The sewer service says its employees can help set up payment plans, but customers late on their bills need to act soon.

“This early notification is intended to allow customers the opportunity to bring their accounts current and to avoid any interruption of service,” the letter said.

David Denard, Director of Environmental Services, clarified that the bill-paying transition had a lot to do with the delay in returning to previous shutoff policy.

 “Jefferson County Environmental Services has been in the process of implementing a new billing software system over the past couple of years,” he said. “While there was never a complete stop to shutoffs during or post-pandemic, the regular process was disrupted during the transition. The new software provides us the ability to work with customers so we can continue service on a payment plan and only shut off when necessary.”

The Birmingham Water Works Board notified water customers in 2023 that it was resuming its shut off policy for delinquent accounts.

The Jefferson County Sewer letter this week did not go to Birmingham Water Works customers. “This matter does not pertain to the Birmingham Water Works, as all of the customers receiving the letter are ‘sewer only’ customers, or customers that are on another water system (like Bessemer Electric and Water System),” said a statement from Birmingham Water Works.