HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Water Disconects Agenda Item #
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: December 27, 2002
Subject: Temporary water service disconnects
1. WHY THIS ITEM IS BEFORE THE BOARD
This item came before the Board in November of 2002. At that time the Board asked us to
review past Board minutes to determine if this matter had been reviewed already. We are now
returning to the Board We are proposing adoption of a policy, and that is a Board function.
2. HISTORY
We are asking the Board to review an old policy establishing a procedure for customers to
voluntarily discontinue water service on a temporary basis. We see an increasing trend for
customers requesting a water disconnect during the winter. Following are the policies that
govern.
5.12.030.1 Customers may arrange for disconnection of service by giving not less than five days
advance notice to the district. Charges for service shall be paid by such customer until the
requested date of discontinuance r such later date as will provide not less than the required five
days advance notice.
5.12.030.2 In the event proper notice is not given, the customer will be required to pay for such
service until five days after the District has actual knowledge that the customer has vacated the
premises or otherwise discontinued water consumption.
5.12.050.1 In those cases where the customer has requested discontinuance of service,
regardless of reason, the customer must pay the reconnection charge prior to the restoration of
service
5.12.050.1 In those cases where the customer has requested discontinuance of service,
regardless of reason, the customer must pay the reconnection charge prior to the restoration of
service.
5.12.050.3 Restoration during regular working hours - Upon request, the District will attempt to
make such restoration of service during the regular working hours on the date of receipt of the
request. A reconnection charge of $15 will be made if the reconnection occurs during regular
working hours. If conditions do not permit, the reconnection will be made on the regular working
day following the date the request is made.
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5.12.050.4 Restoration during other than regular working hours - upon the request of a
customer to restore service hereunder at a time other than during regular working hours, the
District will attempt to make the reconnection but shall be under no obligation to do so, unless
an emergency exists. In the event the District restores service at a time other than during
regular working hours, the customer shall pay to the District a reconnection charge of$20,
5.12.060 Customer's Responsibility when Water Service Discontinued
In the event a customer's water service is discontinued as a result of voluntary termination or
termination for failure to pay bills, it shall be the customer's responsibility to take necessary
precautions against any and all damage to the customer's pipes, fixtures and appliances which
could result from such termination. The District shall not be liable for any such damage.
The problems I see are as follows:
1) We are losing revenues. Most of our water rate covers fixed system costs having nothing to
do with the amount of water used. The homeowners who use their homes during just the
summer months contribute significantly to our fixed costs. They should not be allowed to avoid
their fair contribution to our costs.
2) The $15.00 reconnect charge fails to cover our costs to make the disconnect and reconnect.
3) It is almost impossible for us to reconnect water in the winter because snow is piled on the
water boxes to a depth of over twenty feet.
4. NEW INFORMATION
When we brought this matter to the board in November you asked us to review Board minutes
because you had a recollection of this matter being dealt with before. Barbara and I went
through several years minutes but found nothing.
Now there is snow on the ground and we are still getting requests for winter disconnects. We
really cannot make disconnects at this time without involving a loader at considerable cost.
5. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Board discuss this matter and give me guidance. I suggest we have
options.
Option 1. Keep doing what we are doing
Option 2. Adopt a policy that prohibits seasonal disconnects
Option 3. Adopt a policy that allows seasonal disconnects, but maintains a monthly change less
the pumping zone component. The disconnect and reconnect charge should cover our actual
costs.
I have not taken the time to draft actual policy language. I will wait for the Board to consider this
matter and give me some direction.
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