HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 Seasonal Water Disconnects Agenda Item #
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Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: November 1, 2002
Subject: Seasonal water disconnects
I ask the Board to review an old policy we have establishing a procedure for customers
to voluntarily discontinue water service, and to reestablish it again. 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.
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 1 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.
I suggest we consider 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.