Households and businesses with utility bills that are 30 days or more overdue could have their services disconnected beginning Monday, August 10, as the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) begins its August disconnection exercise.

APUA has advised customers that accounts remaining unpaid for at least 30 days after the payment due date are eligible for disconnection.

The exercise comes at a time when some consumers continue to grapple with high household expenses, including electricity costs. The fuel variation charge for August remains at 80 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Customers with outstanding balances are therefore being encouraged to settle their accounts as soon as possible to avoid an interruption in service.

However, APUA says customers who are unable to clear their balances in full may have another option.

The utility provider is urging those experiencing difficulty meeting their payment obligations to contact its Credit Control Department to discuss possible payment arrangements.

Such arrangements could allow customers to address their outstanding balances while avoiding disconnection, depending on the terms agreed with the authority.

Customers with overdue accounts are being encouraged not to wait until their service has been disconnected before contacting APUA.

The August disconnection exercise begins Monday, August 10.