Update 4/1/2020 on Augusta Utilities Water Services 

(Augusta, GA) The Augusta Utilities Department’s (AUD) top priority is the continuous and reliable delivery of drinking water, which is critical to daily life and the public health system. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, AUD has implemented several precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of essential staff that operate and maintain the public drinking water supply. These actions are intended to mitigate potential exposure to our employees and customers and maintain continuity of operations.

 In-person and Non-Essential Services Suspended 

On March 20, 2020 in an attempt to “Slow the Spread” and protect the safety and health of customers and staff, AUD suspended the following non-essential services until further notice:

• In-person transactions at our Walker Street and Peach Orchard Road Customer Service locations

• In-home or on-site routine inspections, repairs, and maintenance.

During public health crises the supply of clean water is critical. For this reason, AUD has suspended water shutoff on delinquent accounts, late fees, and penalties until normal operations resume. Water meters will continue to be read, and water bills will continue to be generated and delivered

Water Operations and Services 

All operations related to drinking water treatment will continue. Customers can be assured that their drinking water is safe and can be consumed and used as normal. In order to reduce potential exposure to essential staff, business visitors and deliveries to all water treatment plants and facilities will be prohibited or curtailed as much as possible until further notice.

Customer Service 

Customer service representatives for billing/account inquiries and field services will continue to be available by telephone to assist customers. Business transactions that would normally be handled in the office (i.e., opening new accounts) are being transacted over the phone until further notice.

For billing/account questions, to establish service, or disconnect service, customers can use our automated phone service by calling 706-821-1851 and follow the prompts. To make a payment, the following options are available:

• Drive-thru available at 452 Walker Street and 3463 Peach Orchard Rd

• Walk-up Kiosk located at 452 Walker Street

• Online at www.augustaga.gov

For inquiries related to water emergencies, repairs, inspections, maintenance, etc., customers and contractors can call our dispatch 24/7 at 706-842-3060.

Customers should be prepared for possibly longer call response times.

 Drinking Water Supply and COVID-19 

With reports of toilet paper shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic, AUD reminds customers that wipes, paper towels, facial tissue, and other materials – even those that claim to be “flushable” – are not designed to break down in the wastewater treatment process. Flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet can cause unsanitary sewer back-ups in homes and neighborhoods.

AUD will continue to update customers on any further changes in services due to COVID-19. For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit https://www.augustaga.gov/2771/Utilities or you may follow on Facebook (Augusta Utilities) or Twitter (@ARCUtilities).

“Maintaining water service is vital to public health and safety, and protecting the health of our workforce and customers is our highest priority,” said Utilities Director Tom Wiedmeier. “AUD has been and will continue to follow the developments of COVID-19 and implement continuity of operations plans to make sure water continues to flow through this situation.”