Each premises owned by an individual, firm,
etc., shall be billed independently.
Water supplied to a building, all or part of
which is rented, shall normally be charged to the owner or his agent.
At its discretion, the Department may, upon written request of the
property owner, render water bills to tenants. In all cases, however,
the property owner shall be held liable for payment of charges due
for water supplied to such premises and shall be held responsible
for all violations of rules by tenants.
Property owners will be liable for all charges
accruing for water service until written notice is given to the Department
to discontinue the supply.
Bills for most residential and small commercial
service shall be rendered quarterly and shall cover consumption during
the previous quarter.
Bills for industrial customers and other large
consumers may be rendered monthly or quarterly.
First and final bills shall be prorated so as
to adjust the bill to the period for which service was rendered.
Bills for seasonal service shall be rendered
at the time the meter is installed. The minimum charge is payable
in advance.
Private fire-protection charges are billed quarterly
and cover service provided during the previous quarter.
Water for construction purposes will be metered
if practical and will be sold at regular monthly rates.
Miscellaneous sales are billed as the service
is rendered.
Bills which are incorrect due to meter or billing
errors will be adjusted as follows:
A. Whenever a meter in service is tested and found to
have overregistered more than 2%, the Department will adjust the customer's
bill for the excess amount paid, determined as follows:
(1) If the time at which the error first developed can
be definitely determined, the amount of overcharge shall be based
thereon.
(2) If the time at which the error first developed cannot
be definitely determined, it shall be assumed that the overregistration
existed for a period equal to 1/2 of the time since the meter was
last tested. If more than one customer received service through the
meter during the period for which the refund is due, a refund will
be paid to the present customer only for the time during which he
received service through the meter.
B. Whenever a meter in service is found not to register,
the Department may render an estimated bill. The Department will estimate
the charge for the water used by averaging the amount registered over
a similar period preceding or subsequent to the period of nonregistration
or for corresponding periods in previous years, adjusting for any
changes in the customer's usage.
C. When a customer has been overcharged as a result of
incorrect reading of the meter, incorrect calculation of the bill,
incorrect connection of the meter or other similar reasons, the amount
of the overcharge will be refunded or credited to the customer.
D. When a customer has been undercharged as a result
of incorrect reading of the meter, incorrect calculation of the bill,
incorrect connection of the meter or other similar reasons, the amount
of the undercharge will be billed to the customer.