Rapid City, Sioux Falls Discontinuing Utility Shut Offs In Response To COVID 19

A host of utility providers in South Dakota are discontinuing shutoffs in the event of unpaid bills.
 
The cities of Rapid City and Sioux Falls say they are discontinuing water shutoffs for the time being.
 
Wednesdays are generally reserved for scheduled water shutoffs in Rapid City. The city considers about 100 each week in order to encourage those to pay tardy bills. Those Wednesday shutoffs will cease as city of Rapid City says it will discontinue utility shutoffs of water, sewer and solid waste collection until further notice.
 
That’s to allow proper sanitation during the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
Steve Allender is the Rapid City mayor.
 
“We have businesses down in some areas, it seems business is down,” Allender says. “We just want to make sure we’re not going to help this disease spread by depriving families of water to use for personal hygiene.”
 
City officials are reminding customers to pay their utility bills on time to avoid late fees and not impact the city’s ability to provide these critical services.
 
East on I-90, City of Sioux Falls says they will discontinue shutoffs as well. Mark Cotter is the director of Public Works for Sioux Falls. He says the city will work with customers who many need extended payment options.
 
“There’s no end date on it at this time, since we’re all learning more each week,” Cotter says. “But, to reassure them that they will have good, reliable water service as we go through this. If they have a challenge in paying their water bill we’re going to be willing to work with them on payments going forward and grant them that additional time.”
 
Some major utility providers like Excel energy, Black Hills Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities have also announced they’ll discontinue shut offs for the time being.