City of Houston is starting to shut off water for people with unpaid bills

Public Works said customers who haven't paid a bill in 90 days and owe more than $500 will be shut off. The city said it will shut off water for customers who owe more than $500. The city said customers were given leeway over the past several years following instances of inaccurate billing. Mayor Whitmire said those who haven't paid could soon see their taps run dry. The video above is from aThe city stopped shutting off water two years ago because of problems with faulty meters and billing errors. The mayor's office claims those issues have been resolved. Now, Public Works said almost 15,000 customers who haven't paid a bill in 90 days and owe more than $500 will be shut off. In all, the city says it's owed $30 million in unpaid bills. "This effort is about maintaining a fair and sustainable utility system and, just as importantly, being fair to the Houstonians who pay their bills on time," Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. The city said it is providing payment plans and information about assistance to customers who could see their taps run dry. The city added that customers with questions about their account, payment arrangements, available assistance, or disputes should call 713-371-1400.