(A) In accordance with I.C. 8-1.5-3.5, a utility may adjust an unusually large bill if the excess usage reflected in the bill is caused by physical damage to any facility or equipment supplying water to the premises and the damage:
(1) Is not visible or detectable on the customer's premises except upon excavation or some other disturbance of the property; and
(2) Is not the result of an act of the customer, or of any agent or contractor hired by the customer.
(B) An "unusually large bill" shall be defined as a residential water bill that reflects monthly water usage, in whatever units measured, that is at least two times the customer's average monthly usage at the premises.
(C) An unusually large bill may be detected by either the Clerk-Treasurer or the residential water account holder. However, the residential account holder will have the responsibility to report an unusually large bill to the Clerk-Treasurer within two months of a suspected leak. Town personnel shall not be responsible for detecting leaks or making adjustments.
(D) After a leak is reported, the Water Superintendent shall conduct an investigation of the premises to determine the source of the leak and necessary repair. The Water Superintendent shall be responsible for repairing leaks in the town's equipment and the residential water account holder shall be responsible for repairing leaks in the account holder's equipment.
(E) The Town Council shall only make a leak adjustment once per year. The Council may also elect to waive delinquency fees incurred by an unusually large bill if the utility customer was unwilling or unable to pay the water bill.
(F) All documentation will be stapled together and filed in the adjustment folder for the current year and noted in the delinquent folder.
(Ord. 2019-1210, passed 12-10-2019)