Our response to COVID-19

• Online: We encourage you to access your account online to make payments.
• Dropbox: Our payment dropbox is located in our parking lot at 601 N. Evergreen Road.
• Phone: Feel free to call us at (888)774-8272 or (509) 924-3800. Our staff is practicing social distancing. Vera representatives are available to speak with you on the phone, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Our call center is available 24/7 to help you with your bill and to take your service calls.
• Email: You can email us at info@verawaterandpower.com

In response to the Governor’s request to suspend late fees and disconnects:

1. No customer affected by this pandemic – who works with us – will be disconnected.
2. Additionally, we have suspended late fees and blue disconnection door hangers. We will be sending a second reminder letter in lieu of the door hangers and waived the associated fees.
3. While we have implemented late-fee forgiveness and are willing to work with anyone to avoid disconnection during this difficult time, we remind everyone that utility billing continues. By skipping a payment now will create a higher cumulative bill. Please call us to arrange payment plans.
4. Costs and fees incurred prior to this emergency are not affected, but customers who are already delinquent will not incur further costs or be disconnected if they are working with us.
5. We will continue to look for ways to further support the needs of our customers and our community through the duration of the pandemic.

If our board meets, we are planning to hold our regular public meetings in a manner similar to our community’s school board meetings or local city councils. The public will be given the dial-in number and access codes so they can participate.

Typically, we must respond to any public records request within five days. However, Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency COVID-19 proclamation waives this requirement.  Therefore, during this pandemic, when we receive a public information request, we will attempt to respond within five days. However, since we are obeying the Governor’s order to stay home and stay safe, no one is physically at the Vera Water and Power office to search for written records. Those responses will be delayed until the emergency order has expired.

Monday, March 23, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee held a live address from his office to announce a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order requiring every Washingtonian to stay home unless they are engaged in an essential activity. The order bans all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes and orders all businesses to close unless they are designation an essential business. You can read the governor’s announcement here.

Employees of Vera Water and Power are considered essential employees and have permission to travel for work-related activities. This allows us to continue to keep the lights on and water flowing.

Social distancing is likely a term you never heard until the recent coronavirus outbreak. So, what is social distancing and why should you practice it?

Social distancing is a fancy term for avoiding close contact with other people during a disease outbreak in order to avoid potentially transmitting the infection. The purpose of social distancing is to slow the spread of the virus to reduce its impact on society and the healthcare system.

How do you practice social distancing? Basically it means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining at least six feet of distance from other people. Here are some simple ways to do that by changing your daily routine:

1. Avoid handshakes, hugs and other close greetings. Handshakes and other customary greetings enable virus transmission through skin-to-skin contact. Substitute with something else — such as a smile or a wave.
2. Work from home if you can. The less contact you have with your co-workers and others, the less chance you have of spreading the virus. Substitute face-to-face meetings with emails and videoconferencing.
3. Shop smart. Only go to the store for groceries and other essentials. Try to go during slower times and maintain at least a six-foot distance from other shoppers.
4. Eat in. Now is a great time hone you culinary skills and make healthy, flavorful meals for you and your family. If you do go out, opt for the drive-through or carryout.
5. Minimize outings. Stay home as much as possible. Catch up on your reading or binge watch your favorite shows. If you do go out for a jog or to walk the dog, maintain your distance from other people.

People of all ages can be infected by the coronavirus. Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions — such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease — may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill. These people should stay at home and avoid contact with others.

Stay at home if you are feeling ill or are experiencing coronavirus symptoms. Contact your doctor for advice.

See the Centers for Disease Control coronavirus website for information about the infection and tips on how you can protect yourself and your family.