Letter to the Editor/Opinion: Citizen voices concern regarding Eagle Pass Water Works
By: Edgar H. Juarez
I am not sure if you all were aware, but the City of Eagle Pass Water Works System implemented a new policy which started January 28, 2013. Unbeknownst to me and many others from the community, the water company is sending out ONE BILL (that’s right…only one), that says BILL AND FINAL NOTICE; and if you do not pay your bill on time, water services are being disconnected. The City of Eagle Pass is shutting people water’s OFF, if you are ONE DAY LATE. There is NO additional notice, no grace period, nothing.
To add insult to injury, our great City of Eagle Pass is charging $30.00 fee to reinstate your water service. And if you are one of the unlucky ones and realize, after hours that you water is shut off, be prepared to dish out $40.00 instead of the $30.00. They are not waiving this fee, even if it is your FIRST TIME THAT YOUR SERVICE IS BEING DISCONNECTED AND YOU WERE NOT AWARE OF THE POLICY. I cannot think of any other agency, company. service (private or public) that has this type of strict policy. Let’s keep in mind, WATER IS NOT A LUXURY, FOLKS…. IT’S A NECESSITY.
As far as I am aware, there are NO safeguards from disconnecting the water from the elderly, families with little children, and those of low income. We must not forget, our community was ranked as being among the POOREST COUNTIES. EPWWS does NOT CARE, If you are ONE DAY LATE, your water is going to be shut off…. no other warnings, no reminders, no additional notices. Oh, and if you happen to get your bill late, or you never received your bill advising you, when the bill is due. TOO BAD…SO SAD. Your water will be disconnected. No appeals process, no explanations. Do we not live in a society where we have a constitutional right to DUE PROCESS. Are we not to be protected from these kinds of abuses from our own local government?
Is this policy FAIR ? ? ? OF COURSE NOT ! ! ! I understand that we cannot have people abusing the system, and we need to implement policies that will prevent those that are serial offenders and do not pay their water bill, or cheat the system. However, we cannot punish the masses for the fault of a few.
I have made my feelings known to the EPWWS, to a couple of Water Board Members, to a City councilmen, and to a few others. The consensus among US the common folk, is that we are not happy with this policy. Many have complained to me about their dissatisfaction with the EPWWS. I pray to God that this policy be stricken down and revised. It is way to harsh and borderline insane… YES, I SAID IT, THIS POLICY IS CRAZY ! ! !
What is the City of Eagle Pass trying to do?? Make money from us…. as those that express themselves using the vernacular tongue would say, “Is this all about the Benjamin’s?” I would imagine that those defending this policy would state that it is not about making money, but about not losing money… which I would say, makes perfect ECONOMIC SENSE. We, as a City should not be in the business of losing money? But at what cost are we going to accomplish this. Does the means justify the ends. I say no. I make a stand against this unfair, stringent, and unforgiving policy.
I am not (necessarily) asking that you publish this in your newspaper, but you have my permission to do so. I just wanted to make you, and all of Eagle Pass know about the ridiculous new water policies implemented and of the turmoil that this policy has brought to our community. After everything is said, and done, I am just asking that our leaders go back the drawing board, and get this thing done right.
God Bless us all, and God Bless the City of Eagle Pass.
Sincerely yours,
Edgar H. Juarez
Attorney at Law
