Friday, March 13, 2020 | 4:30 p.m.
Utility companies in Nevada are suspending disconnections and shut-offs due to nonpayments to ease customer stress during the coronavirus pandemic.
Southwest Gas, NV Energy and the Las Vegas Valley Water District each announced emergency policies today for late and nonpayments in light of coronavirus. Sixteen cases of coronavirus have been reported in Clark County as of Friday afternoon.
NV Energy, the public utility company with over 1.4 million customers in Nevada, will not disconnect customers’ electricity service if they fail to pay their bills, effective immediately. Southwest Gas will not disconnect customers for non-payment “until further notice.” And the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which serves residences and businesses in Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County, will not shut off water service in cases of non-payments.
“We are here to support our customers, and we will continue to deliver reliable electric service during this period of uncertainty — every customer can be certain of that,” Doug Cannon, president and CEO of NV Energy, said in a statement. “The safety of our customers and our employees is our highest priority.”
Southwest Gas is offering “flexible payment options” for customers dealing with financial challenges due to coronavirus.
“We understand these are trying times for many of our customers and want to ensure that they focus on the well-being of their families without having to worry about a disruption of service,” John Hester, president and CEO of Southwest Gas, said in a statement.
The water district and NV Energy will similarly work with customers in tough financial situations on payment arrangements that work for them.
Customers can manage their Southwest Gas account at swgas.com, and their water district bills through lvvwd.com or by calling 702-870-4194. NV Energy customers in Southern Nevada can call 702-402-5555 to “discuss payment options and receive support.”
The Southern Nevada Water Authority assured customers not be concerned about water shortages or other complications due to the coronavirus in a statement released Friday.
Residents should also understand that the novel virus does not spread through drinking water, that standard chlorination treatment is effective at killing viruses in water, and that water will continue to be available throughout the crisis.
“Even under extreme circumstances, provisions are in place to make water available from groundwater wells and/or through other operational strategies,” the utility company said in a statement.
