Beginning Jan. 15, Meridian residents will no longer be able to make past due water bill payments to their meter readers. Payments will have to be made either at City Hall or by mail.

City officials say this is because of safety concerns and a need for internal controls.

In the past, as a courtesy, meter readers who arrived at a home to disconnect service due to delinquent payments would notify the resident of what was to happen. The resident would have the opportunity to pay at that time to avoid service being cut off.

City of Meridian water customers may pay their water bills in person at the Water Collections counter at City Hall, put their payment in the night depository at City Hall, mail their payment to the address indicated on the water bill or use the dedicated drive-through lane at Trustmark Bank downtown.

Delinquent bills must be paid in full in order to avoid disconnection of water service, city officials said.