Shelter says it has cash to pay Atlanta water bill

The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless says that it has raised $15,000 to pay its water bill and will not have its water shut off by the city, which could have forced the closing of its controversial shelter in Midtown.

Task Force Chairman Bob Cramer said supporters contributed the funds for the April and May bills, and that the shelter will have the money to pay the June bill of $8,000 by July 15.

The Atlanta water department last week turned off the water for the huge shelter at Peachtree and Pine streets, citing nonpayment.

Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville ordered the water turned back on but set deadlines for the payments. He indicated his court would not come to the shelter’s aid again if the task force missed future payments.

City officials said that the task force had paid $14,810 of the water bill. The task force has until 5 p.m. Wednesday to pay the full bill. It was unclear whether the city would shut off the water if the complete bill wasn’t paid.