(A) Conditions. Leak adjustments to water and sewer bills will be considered when all of the following threshold conditions have been met:
(1) Water use volume is 200% of previous 12 months usage history, or the previous full billing period if no history exists.
(2) Bedford City Utilities staff verifies the leak if applicable and the account holder (or third party, such as renter, contractor, power company, and the like) must provide written documentation in the form of a bill with a detailed statement of repairs from a licensed plumber or from the customer requesting the adjustment that provides documentation that leak has been repaired (if leak identified). If homeowner fixes leak, bills for materials are required.
(3) Bedford City Utilities will not consider lack of proper maintenance or negligence by account holder (or third party, such as renter, contractor, power company, and the like) which culminates in a water loss as being appropriate for approving an adjustment in the bill.
(4) Account holder must submit a “Request for Water/Sewer Leak Adjustment Form” in writing before due date.
(5) Account must not be delinquent (only the current month usage is owed) but an approved payment plan agreed upon by the customer does not constitute delinquency.
(6) Account holder has not received an adjustment within the last 12 months.
(7) The Auditor shall disallow requests for adjustments for faulty toilets, leaking faucet or other interior fixtures, basement, crawl space, hot water heater, frozen pipes, busted pipes, hydrants or faucets left on, leaks at vacant houses unless underground, hot tubs, fish ponds, sprinkler or watering of garden or lawn, guests, and the like.
(8) Car washes do not receive a discount on monthly sewer charges.
(B) Exceptions. Exceptions can be made for sewer adjustments if all other threshold considerations have been met and water is determined to not have entered the sewer system. All sewer adjustment exceptions must be approved by the Utilities Director.
(Ord. 36-2008, passed 12-9-08; Am. Ord. 5-2009, passed 3-10-09)