Macon apartment residents say they’ve without water for weeks

MACON, Ga. (WPGA) - Residents at the Walnut Creek Apartments in Macon say they have been without running water for nearly three weeks.

Residents say they have paid their bills, but their taps remain dry.

“They didn’t care about us; they just left us. They took our money and just left,” said resident Myatta Simmons. “I can only manage so much in the kitchen because we don’t have water. Cleaning dishes is difficult because we have to use the water bottle.”

The Macon Water Authority says the service interruption “involves an account matter between MWA and the property owner or management company.”

Residents say the situation has put families in a difficult position.

“Just trying to put my children in stable environment where we got water because they missing days of schools because we can’t bathe,” Simmons said.

MWA says account matters are confidential, but it is working with property management to try to restore service. Residents say no one has seen or heard from the management company. WPGA has reached out to the management company and is waiting on a response.

In a video posted online, Macon Water Authority board member Marshall Talley said approximately 19 neighbors need emergency replacement housing.

Talley said, “Families should not be caught in the middle when property ownership or management fails. We can protect residents while still protecting ratepayers and holding the responsible parties accountable.”

Talley submitted two policy proposals in response to the Walnut Creek situation. The proposals focus on establishing protocol for a more coordinated response when multifamily properties lose water service.