The utility shall bill each customer as promptly as possible following the reading of the customer’s meter and render a receipt of payment upon request.

103-732.1. New Service.

Meters shall be read at the initiation and termination of any service and billing shall be based thereon.

103-732.2. Customer Bill Forms.

The bill shall show:

1. (a) The reading of the meter at the end and beginning of the period for which the bill is rendered;
2. (b) The date on which the meter was read;
3. (c) The number and kind of units metered;
4. (d) The applicable rate, schedule, or identification of the applicable rate schedule. If the actual rates are not shown, the bill shall carry a statement to the effect that the applicable rate schedule will be furnished on request;
5. (e) Total amount due;
6. (f) A distinct marking to identify an estimated bill;
7. (g) Any conversions from meter reading units to billing units or any calculations to determine billing units from recording or other devices, or any other factors used in determining the bill. In lieu of such information on the bill, a statement must be on the bill advising that such information can be obtained by contacting the utility’s principal office;
8. (h) Number of days for which bill is rendered;
9. (i) Date payments due;
10. (j) Date of bill.
11. (k) Telephone number where utility can be contacted during regular office hours and non-office hours.

12. (l) The telephone number and email address of the Office of Regulatory Staff.

    103-732.3. Late Payment Charges.

    A maximum of one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) may be added to any unpaid balance not paid within 25 days of the billing date to cover the cost of collection and carrying accounts in arrears. This method of late payment charge will be made in lieu of any other penalty.

    103-732.4. Payment by Check.

    The utility at its option for good cause may refuse to accept a check tendered as payment on a customer’s account, and require payment in cash or other certified funds. Good cause must be justified by a water utility by evidencing a credit history problem or by evidencing insufficient funds of the utility customer or applicant. For the purposes of this regulation, the water utility may not consider indebtedness that was incurred by the customer or any member of his household more than six (6) years prior to the time of application.

    103-732.5. Charges for Discontinuance and Reconnection.

    Whenever service is turned off for violation of rules and regulations, nonpayment of bills, or fraudulent use of service, or at the request of the customer, the utility may make reasonable charges to be approved by the commission for the cost incurred in discontinuing the service and reconnection and require payment for service billed and for service used which has not previously been billed.

    103-732.6. Estimated Bills.

    No utility shall send a customer an estimated bill, except for good cause, when the meter could not be read or was improperly registering. In no instance will more than one estimated bill be rendered within a 60-day period, unless otherwise agreed to by the customer.

    103-732.7. Deferred Payment Plan.

    The utility shall provide for the arrangement of a deferred payment plan to enable a residential customer to make payment by installments where such customer is unable to pay the amount due for water service. The deferred payment plan shall require the affected customer to maintain his account current and pay not less than 1/6 of the outstanding balance for a period not to exceed six months. The outstanding balance may include the late payment charge authorized by R.103-732.3. Service to such customer shall not be terminated unless the utility has informed the customer that such deferred payment plan is available. A deferred payment plan is any agreement to extend or defer a payment cut-off date by more than 5 work days. If a Customer defaults on a Deferred Payment Plan, the Utility may terminate service pursuant to 103-735.1.

HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 14, Issue No. 3, eff March 23, 1990; State Register Volume 31, Issue No. 5, eff May 25, 2007; SCSR 48-5 Doc. No. 5184, eff May 24, 2024.