7/21/2008
Media Contact:
Kit Werbe
Public Information Officer
Indianapolis Department of Public Works
Office: 317.327.4669 |
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City of Indianapolis Provides Opportunity for Property Owners to Avoid Sewer Liens
INDIANAPOLIS – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is notifying private property owners by mail of delinquent sewer bills in an effort to avoid the placement of a lien on their property.
DPW is sending out 21,828 requests for payment today, totaling over $1.65 million in unpaid sewer charges. This will be the last opportunity for property owners to keep a lien from being placed on their property, to prevent their sewer charges from being added to their next property tax bills, and to avoid additional administrative fees. The average balance for these potential liens is almost $76, which represents between four and five months of unpaid sewer charges.
Payments must be received by August 20, 2008 to avoid lien action. All payments should be sent to Indianapolis Water, the city’s billing and collection agent, at P.O. Box 1990, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Payments may also be made in person at any ACE Check Cashing, Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL), or Citizens Gas locations.
Placing a lien on properties is the city’s last resort in an effort to receive payment. The courts have determined that placing a lien on a property is an appropriate action for Indianapolis to pursue. Other collection methods for non-payment of sewer fees that are exercised by the city on a regular basis include water service disconnection and legal action.
Customers who owe less than $11 or whose payment is delinquent for less than 60 days will not be sent letters. These charges will automatically be added to the next property tax statement if not paid by August 20, 2008.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency mandated sewer bills in 1977 to cover the cost of operating and maintaining advanced wastewater treatment plants and sewage facilities. Sewer fees are used to pay for both of the city’s sewage treatment plants as well as raw sewage overflow capital improvement projects.
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