Clarksdale Public Utilities lifted the precautionary boil water alert for customers Wednesday, Feb. 24, but customers are reminded they are still liable for both water and electric bills during the recent winter storm.
Tests performed by the Mississippi State Department of Health laboratory indicated the water is now safe to drink, according to CPU general manager Curtis Boschert.
This affects approximately 16,000 customers CPU serves.
“Since we have lifted the boil water order, we are back to regular normal operations,” said Boschert on Tuesday. “We are still responding to calls about water leaks and burst pipes, but those are fewer.
“I think we’re about there.”
Some customers expressed the opinions that since residents were asked to leave their faucets on to relieve pressure on pipes to prevent them from freezing, they should not be charged for it.
“We’re not allowed under state law to provide free service,” said Boschert in response.
“When people have high bills, we always work with customers. We can’t provide free services or write off bills.”
Boschert cited Ms Code Ann. 21-27-27 that has been in effect since 1934 to support his position. It reads, “No free service shall be furnished by any such system, or combined system, to any private person, firm, corporation, or association. The municipality may, however, furnish such service, free of charge, to the municipality or any agency or department thereof, to any public school, or to any hospital or benevolent institution located within such municipality, including county, city, and community fairs.”
He also cited Mississippi Constitution Art. 4, 66. It reads, “No law granting a donation or gratuity in favor of any person or object shall be enacted except by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members elect of each branch of the Legislature, nor by any vote for a sectarian purpose or use.”
Boschert also felt Mississippi Constitution Art. 4, 100 supported his position. It reads, “No obligation or liability of any person, association, or corporation held or owned by this state, or levee board, or any county, city, or town thereof, shall ever be remitted, released or postponed, or in any way diminished by the Legislature, nor shall such liability or obligation be extinguished except by payment thereof into the proper treasury; nor shall such liability or obligation be exchanged or transferred except upon payment of its face value; but this shall not be construed to prevent the Legislature from providing by general law for the compromise of doubtful claims.”
Boschert went on to talk about how CPU would work with customers.
“If somebody has a leak and they get that fixed by a plumber, they can bring that to our office and we can make an adjustment on the sewer fee because if somebody has a leak in the water and it’s going on their house or underneath their house, we can make an adjustment,” he said. “As long as it’s not going into the sanitary system, then we can give some credit on the sewer bill.”
How to flush pipes
Clarksdale Public Utilities is encouraging everyone to flush faucets for 10 minutes to introduce system water throughout house plumbing
1 faucet – run for 10 minutes
2 faucets – run both for five minutes
3 faucets – run each for three to four minutes
Flush any faucet a minimum of two (2) minutes to ensure clearing of the line serving the faucet.
Discard any drinks, ice, food, etc, made during the Boil-Water Alert.
Rewash any food or drink contact items (knives, forks, plates, etc.) with “cleared” system water.
Check water filters (in faucets, refrigerators and elsewhere) and replace if necessary.
Run dishwasher through a cycle or two before washing dishes.
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