All bills are payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable service classification specified in § 199-7.
For new services installed at any time during
the billing period, the minimum charge and the amount of water allowed
thereunder will be prorated according to the number of days remaining
to complete the billing period after the service has been placed in
use by the owner.
Meters will be read biannually, quarterly or
monthly, and customers will be billed biannually, quarterly or monthly,
at the Department's option subject to the approval of the Town Board.
The quantity recorded by the meter shall be
considered the amount of water passing through the meter, which amount
shall be conclusive on both the customer and the Department, except
where it appears that the meter has ceased to register or has registered
inaccurately.
Each meter on a customer's premises will be
considered separately, and readings of two or more meters will not
be combined unless specifically provided for in the Rate Department,
except where it appears that the meter has ceased to register or has
registered inaccurately.
In cases where it is found that the meter has
ceased to register, an estimated bill for the billing period immediately
preceding the date when such meter was found defective and for the
period from said date to the date of replacement of the meter may
be rendered the customer. The estimated bill shall be based upon the
amount of water consumed in the corresponding period in prior years,
except where it appears that there has been a change in occupancy
of the premises or in the use of water or where no prior experience
exists, by the average registration of an operating meter in subsequent
periods or by equitable adjustment, whichever method is representative
in the Department's opinion of the conditions existing during the
period in question.
All bills are due and payable when rendered.
The customer shall be held responsible for all bills. Failure to receive
a bill shall not excuse payment. No partial payments will be accepted.
In any case any water bill or charges provided
for in and by this chapter shall not be paid within 15 days following
the rendering of the bill, such bill shall be delinquent and shall
bear a service charge of 12% thereafter. If such bill is not paid
within 30 days after it has become delinquent, such bill, together
with any service charge or charge for restoration of service, if applicable,
shall be added to the property owner's annual Town tax bill and be
subject to collection in the same manner as a delinquent Town tax.
A.
Rereading meter; rechecking account. Customers who
may dispute the correctness of a water bill or who claim to be overcharged
may, by applying to the Department, have the meter reread and the
account rechecked. The Department will render every reasonable assistance
in determining the reason for any high or unusual bill.
B.
Testing meter to determine if defective. A customer
may, by giving reasonable notice, request the Department to test the
meter serving his premises. The Department requires that the test
shall be made in the presence of the customer or his representative.
The Department will require a deposit to cover such costs. This deposit
will be refunded if the test reveals an overcharge, and the bill correction
will be made as provided in this chapter.
A.
Fast meters. When, upon test, a meter is found to
be registering more than 4% fast under conditions of normal operations,
the Department will refund to the customer the full amount of the
overcharge based upon corrected meter readings for the period, not
exceeding one year that the meter was in use.
B.
Slow meters.
(1)
When, upon test, a meter used for domestic or residential
service is found to be registering more than 25% slow, the utility
may bill the customer for the amount of the undercharge based upon
corrected meter readings for the period not exceeding one year that
the meter was in use.
(2)
When, upon test, a meter used for other than domestic
or residential service is found to be registering more than 5% slow,
the Department may bill the customer for the amount of the undercharge
based upon corrected meter readings for the period not exceeding one
year that the meter was in use.
