‘Despite numerous attempts’: Mayor says city shut off hospital’s water over $20k balance

OCILLA, Ga (WALB) — The city of Ocilla cut off water services to Irwin County Hospital on Monday over an unpaid water bill totaling over $20,000, officials said.

One hospital official said city workers entered hospital property and turned off a valve. Hospital employees noticed the water was cut off while performing daily services for patients.

In a statement, Ocilla Mayor Melvin D. Harper II said the city suspended domestic and portable water services after “numerous attempts over the past years and several additional months” to collect payment from the hospital were “unsuccessful.”

According to the city mayor, Irwin County Hospital owes $20,771.19 in unpaid water utility fees.

“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,” Harper said.

The mayor said emergency and fire-safety water lines remained connected and fully functional during the shutoff.

The hospital’s CEO declined to comment. Hospital officials said the shutoff was not related to frozen pipes or weather issues.

WALB’s Moriah Norman will have the latest on the Ocilla water shutoff and what it means for the hospital and the community.

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