IID’s pandemic response aims to serve community while protecting workers
The situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve and is having a significant impact on our customers and community. I want to reassure you that IID is monitoring developments closely, and as an essential services provider, is open for business and well prepared to continue serving all its customers.
On March 21, the IID Board of Directors adopted a resolution proclaiming a local emergency associated with COVID-19. This ensures the continuation of IID’s critical water and electric services under the California Emergency Services Act.
As part of our Pandemic Response Plan, the district has also initiated a shelter-in-place program for critical employees. A small group of volunteer employees, who possess specialized skills to operate the district’s water and energy delivery systems, will remain at critical job sites 24-hours-a-day for three weeks working to ensure that our water and energy delivery systems remain operational while they stay healthy.
This extra step is part of how IID is working to carry out our mission to deliver energy to our customers in the Imperial and Coachella valleys. It also ensures the continued year-round delivery of Colorado River water from the All-American Canal in support of municipalities, industry and farming operations in our valley.
We will keep the power on to help customers in need
IID knows COVID-19 is creating financial hardship for some customers, and we’re committed to making sure they have electricity during this uncertain time. While IID will not disconnect service to any customers for non-payment, the district encourages all customers to continue making payments as much as they can. Customers who are behind on payment will still owe for services provided, however they will not be disconnected during this pandemic.
If you are struggling to pay your utility bill due to financial hardship, please contact our friendly staff at (800) 303-7756.
Safe and easy ways to pay your bill
While our customer service centers remain open, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, we strongly encourage you to use one of our alternative payment methods. You can pay your energy bill online at www.iid. com, use the IID Customer Connect app on your mobile device, send payment by mail or drop off at one of the secure payment boxes located at our customer service centers.
Safe workforce
As always, safety continues to be our number one priority. All employees who can work from home are doing so, in accordance with California’s stay-athome order. Those employees who can’t perform their duties from home are adhering to facial covering orders, social distancing guidelines and practicing recommended personal hygiene precautions.
In addition, as of April 29, IID has provided its employees the following supplies: 1,427 washable cloth face coverings, 10,550 pairs of gloves, 2,414 bottles of hand sanitizers and 698 disinfectant spray bottles.
Safe public meetings
IID will continue to convene its regularly scheduled board meetings with added measures in place to reduce the possible spread of the coronavirus. Members of the public can watch or listen to the live video stream of our meetings or participate telephonically. Meeting agendas and videos are available on the district’s website.
Safe facilities
As added precautions, we’ve increased the cleaning frequency of all common areas in our buildings, are providing additional hand sanitizer dispensers throughout facilities and payment centers and ask the public who visits to adhere to social distancing and face covering guidelines.
We have also installed over 274 ultraviolet germicidal lights on our air conditioning units throughout the district. These lights assist with eliminating bacteria, germs, viruses and pathogens in the air.
Protection against scams
During times of uncertainty, scams targeting utility customers tend to increase. For this reason, we urge customers to call IID if they are suspicious about any coronavirus-related emails or calls they receive from people claiming to be employed by the district.
In closing, rest assured that we will continue to stay on top of the latest information on this rapidly evolving situation, and we encourage our customers to do the same. For further information on this and other district related matters, please visit our website and follow us on social media.