The board of directors shall from time to time by resolution establish rates and charges for water and other service provided by the Hi-Desert Water District.
(Ord. 73 § 10.01, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Fixed monthly charges will begin when a water service connection is installed.
(Ord. 73 § 10.02, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Account holder shall be held liable for water used until the district is notified by account holder during business hours to discontinue service or to transfer the account to another property.
(Ord. 73 § 10.03, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Res. 24-20, 2024)
All unpaid bills in the name of the property owner will be made a lien against the property/account holder (unsecured) pursuant to these rules, regulations and California Water Code Section 31701.5 et seq.
(Ord. 73 § 10.04, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Res. 24-20, 2024)
The individual who requests service remains responsible for all charges owed to the district.
(Ord. 73 § 10.05, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
The regular billing period will be at the option of the district.
(Ord. 73 § 10.06, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Separate bills will be rendered for each meter installation. The district may, for its own convenience, consider each register of compound meters as a separate service and bill each as provided for herein.
(Ord. 73 § 10.07, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Opening and closing bills for less than the normal billing period shall be prorated. Closing bills may be estimated by the district for the final period as an expediency to permit the customer to pay the closing bill at the time service is discontinued.
(Ord. 73 § 10.08, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Bills for metered water service shall be rendered at the end of each billing period and are due and payable upon presentation. If full payment is not received at the business office of the district on or before the final payment date indicated on the bill, the bill shall become past due and delinquent and a delinquency charge shall apply in an amount established by board resolution and modified from time to time.
(Ord. 73 § 10.09, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
If a residential customer is unable to pay a bill during the normal payment period, the customer may request an extension or other alternative payment arrangement by contacting the district's customer service staff in writing, by telephone, or in person during regular business hours.
Decisions regarding extensions or other payment arrangements are in the discretion of the district, and may be based on any relevant information, including past payment history.
The customer must comply with the terms of any alternative payment arrangement and remain current as charges accrue in each subsequent billing period. The customer may not request another alternative payment arrangement of any subsequent unpaid charges while paying charges pursuant to an alternative payment arrangement. Failure to comply with the terms of an alternative payment arrangement for at least 60 days, including payment of current charges, may result in termination of water service after the district posts a final notice of intent to disconnect service at the service address at least 48 hours before discontinuation of service. The final notice will not entitle the customer to any investigation or review by the district.
(Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
A shut-off notice shall be mailed to all customers whose accounts are delinquent, warning that service will be discontinued unless payment is made within 60 calendar days from the date of the delinquency. The notice shall be mailed at least 15 days before discontinuation of service and shall indicate the amount due, including delinquent charges, and the total amount which must be paid.
If the mailing address and address of the property to which water service is provided are different, a second notice addressed to "occupant" will be mailed to the service address at least 15 days before discontinuation of water service for nonpayment. The written disconnection notice and occupant notice may include the following information:
A.
Customer's name and address.
B.
Amount that is past due.
C.
Date by which payment or payment arrangements are required to avoid discontinuation of service.
D.
Description of the process to apply for a payment arrangement.
E.
Description of the process to dispute or appeal a bill.
F.
Description of the procedure for the customer to obtain information on financial assistance, if applicable.
G.
Telephone number where customer may request a payment arrangement or receive additional information from the district.
H.
Web links to the district's rates and fees policies.
(Ord. 73 § 10.10, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
In addition to the notice to customers required in HDWDC § 6.05.100, at least 10 calendar days before disconnection of residential water service, the district will also provide written notice to the occupants of individually metered single-family dwellings, multiunit residential structures, mobile home parks, or permanent residential structures in a labor camp where the owner, manager, or operator is the customer of record. For master-metered residential structures, the district will also make a good faith effort to provide written notices to the actual occupants at least 10 calendar days before service is discontinued. Notices to occupants will inform the occupants that they have the right to become customers of the district without being required to pay any amount which may be due on the delinquent account.
The district will also make a good faith effort to contact the customer of record or an adult person living at the residential service address in person or by telephone at least seven calendar days before discontinuation of service.
If the district is unable to make contact with the customer or an adult person living at the residential service address in person or by telephone, the district will make a good faith effort to leave a notice of imminent discontinuation of residential service (e.g., in the form of a door hanger) and a copy of its policies on discontinuation of service in a conspicuous place at the service address. The notice and policies will be left at the residence at least 48 hours before discontinuation of service. The district assumes no responsibility for contact information that has not been kept up to date by the customer.
(Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
This section applies when the property owner, landlord, manager, or operator of a residence is listed as the customer of record and has been issued a notice of intent to discontinue water service due to nonpayment. The district will make service available to the actual residential occupants if each occupant agrees to the terms and conditions of service and meets the requirements of the district's rules and regulations. Notwithstanding, if one or more of the occupants are willing and able to assume responsibility for the subsequent charges to the account to the satisfaction of the district, or if there is a physical means of selectively discontinuing service to those occupants who have not met the requirements of the district's rules and regulations, the district shall make service available to the occupants who have met those requirements.
To be eligible to become a customer without paying the amount due on the delinquent account, the occupant shall verify that the delinquent customer is or was the landlord, manager, or agent of the dwelling. At the discretion of the district, verification may include a lease or rental agreement, rent receipts, or a government document indicating that the occupant is renting the property.
If prior service for a period of time is a condition for establishing credit with the district, residence and proof of prompt payment of rent for that period of time is a satisfactory equivalent.
(Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
The district may remove one delinquency annually from the record of any account when requested by the customer.
(Formerly 6.05.110; Ord. 73 § 10.11, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
All unpaid rates and charges and penalties herein provided may be collected by suit.
(Formerly 6.05.120; Ord. 73 § 10.12, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Defendant shall pay all costs of suit in any judgment rendered in favor of district, including reasonable attorney's fees.
(Formerly 6.05.130; Ord. 73 § 10.13, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Account holders desiring to discontinue service shall notify the district during normal business hours.
(Formerly 6.05.140; Ord. 73 § 10.14, 2002; Ord. 88 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Res. 24-20, 2024)