City shuts off Georgia hospital’s water supply due to unpaid bills

WALB-TV reports that the city of Ocilla, Ga., cut off water services to Irwin County Hospital on Monday over an unpaid water bill totaling over $20,000, according to local officials.

The TV station reports that, according to a hospital official, city workers entered the property and turned off a valve, with hospital employees noticing they had no water while providing patient care.

A statement from Ocilla Mayor Melvin D. Harper II said the city suspended service after numerous “unsuccessful” attempts over “the past years and several additional months” to collect payment. “Disconnections are never our preferred course of action; however, the city must apply its policies fairly and responsibly to ensure the continued operation and sustainability of essential services for all customers,” stated Mr. Harper, who added that emergency and fire-safety water lines remained connected and fully functional.

Irwin County Hospital Interim CEO James A. Nixon declined to comment, according to WALB, which reports local residents “decided to handle the issue themselves” by delivering “loads of bottled water while patients and employees waited for an answer.” The situation remains ongoing at last report.

Read WALB’s full report here.