ReWa Enacts New Measures to Ensure Safety of Customers and Employees Amid Virus Concerns

COVID-19 preparedness plan provides virtual opportunities to customers, employees

GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 16, 2020) — To ensure safe and responsible operations during the nation’s efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) is enacting new measures to protect customers and employees.

From providing opportunities for customers to conduct business with ReWa online and by phone, to employees working from home, the organization is prepared to continue strong and efficient operations during this evolving situation.

“For weeks, our team has been evaluating the situation and setting forth new plans to ensure that we can safely and efficiently conduct our operations as the state and the nation work together to fight the spread of this virus,” Graham W. Rich, chief executive officer, said.

Following Gov. Henry McMasters’ announcement on Sunday to close public schools and restrict public gatherings, ReWa will conduct the majority of our business virtually until further notice which also includes closing our offices for the next two weeks beginning tomorrow, 3/17/2020. Any changes to that timeline will be communicated. For inquiries or payments typically taken by our customer service department, please email or call ReWa Customer Service at (864) 299-4000.

“Now is the time that we must come together and take all critical actions necessary to protect the public health in our community and flatten the curve of COVID-19,” Rich said. “In consultation with our partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), ReWa is prepared to provide quality service in a safe and responsible manner.”

This developing situation calls for immediate and careful action. Here’s what our customers need to know:

  • Our facilities and offices are closed to the public.
  • There is no evidence that COVID-19 survives the disinfection process for drinking water and wastewater, according to the CDC.
  • We can always be reached at (864) 299-4000 during normal business hours, or, after-hours, at (864) 299-4004. We will also post updates to our website at rewaonline.org.
  • All tours of ReWa facilities have been postponed.
  • ReWa will not disconnect any customer’s service for non-payment, in order to give customers experiencing financial hardship extra time to make payments. Customers should pay what they can to avoid building up a large balance that will be harder to pay off later.
  • ReWa will continue to respond to sewer-related emergencies. During normal business hours, please call (864) 299-4000. For after-hours questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour hotline at (864) 299-4004.
  • Through a carefully planned process, ReWa has directed employees who are not involved with critical functions and wastewater operations to work from home, where possible.
  • If ReWa staff needs to interact with customers in-person in response to potential sewer-service emergencies, they will follow the CDC’s safety guidelines, including social distancing.
  • Services and meetings that are not urgent or time-sensitive but require in-person customer contact by ReWa employees, will be rescheduled. ReWa will contact customers to reschedule those appointments.
  • Be aware of scammers, who continue to target customers by threatening disconnection of service and asking for immediate payment over the phone. ReWa will never ask for personal information over the phone or demand payment using money orders or gift cards.
  • Visit rewaonline.org for complete customer information related to wastewater services, including answers to frequently asked questions. We will post customer-related updates to our homepage. You may also visit our social media platforms to get quick updates on Facebook and Twitter.

As the situation evolves, we also encourage our customers to also visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirusfor the most up-to-date information on the virus.

About Renewable Water Resources (ReWa)

Since 1925, Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) has been committed to providing high-quality wastewater treatment services to the Upstate of South Carolina while promoting a cleaner environment, protecting the public health and water quality of the Upstate waterways and developing the necessary sewer infrastructure to sustain our community and growing economy.

With nine water resource recovery facilities and nearly 400 miles of pipe, we serve a broad geographic area, including Greenville County and portions of Anderson, Laurens, Pickens, and Spartanburg Counties up to the North Carolina border. Each day an estimated 42 million gallons of water passes through our trunk lines and reclamation facilities before being cleaned and returned to our area rivers and streams. To learn more about ReWa, visit www.rewaonline.org.

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