(a) Information as to Service. Each utility shall, upon request, give its customers such information and assistance as is reasonable, in order that customers may enjoy safe and efficient service.
(b) Explanation of Computing Bills. Each utility shall adopt some means of informing its customers as to the method of computing bills, either by printed description on its bills, or by a notice to the effect that the method will be explained at the office of the utility upon request.
(c) Explanation of Rates. It shall be the duty of the utility to explain to the customer at the beginning of service, or whenever the customer shall request the utility to do so, the utility's rates applicable to the type of service furnished to the customer and all other classes of customers, and to assist him in obtaining the best rate for his service requirements. The responsibility for the selection, however, rests with the applicant. In the event the customer's use of service changes such that a rate schedule other than the one initially selected becomes favorable, the responsibility for requesting a change in rate schedule, consistent with the provisions of the service agreement, shall rest with the customer. The utility shall, on its periodic statements, annually inform its customers that, if they so request, it shall supply them with a copy of the utility's rate or rates applicable to the type of service to be furnished to all classes of customers with a concise written explanation of the rates, and an identification of any classes of customer for whom rates are not summarized.
(d) Posting of Law, Rates, Rules, and Collection Agents.
(1) Every utility shall maintain in its office for inspection by the public, the following:
A. A copy of the rates, rules and regulations of the utility, and of forms of contracts and applications applicable to the territory served from that office;
B. A copy of the Public Service Commission Law of this State; and
C. A copy of the Commission’s “Rules for the Government of Sewer Utilities,” 150CSR5.
(2) A suitable placard in large type shall be conspicuously posted in the utility's business office giving information to customers that a copy of the law, the rules of the Commission, and the schedules of rates are available for their inspection.
(3) Once a year, or as often as a utility changes collection agents, each utility shall publicize by newspaper or bill insert to its customers its collection agents to whom customers may deliver payment of sewer bills.
(e) Application for Sewer Service.
(1) All applicants desiring sewer service may be required to make written application at the office of the utility on printed forms provided therefore setting forth in said application all purposes for which sewer will be used upon their premises. The utility may require the applicant to provide identification at the time of application for service. All applicants for service shall be required to designate on every application for service whether the applicant is a tenant or an owner of the premises to be served. If the applicant is a tenant, he shall state the name and address of the owner or owners of the premises to be served.
(2) Any change in the identity of the contracting customer at a premises will require a new application for sewer service, and the utility may, after reasonable notice, discontinue sewer service until such new application has been made and accepted, but the former customer shall remain liable for sewer service furnished to said premises until he has given notice in writing to the utility to discontinue sewer service. In the event the customer of record has died or has become incapable of being responsible for sewer service, that individual’s spouse may become the customer of record without being required to complete a new application for sewer service, or paying a new deposit.
(3) In the event that a publicly or privately owned water utility, city, incorporated town, other municipal corporation or other public service district, owns and operates water facilities within the same service territory as the public service district providing sewer service to the area, then the sewer public service district shall provide the customer with a proper receipt and shall instruct the customer to present said receipt to the water utility when application for water service is made.
(Passed 3-5-07.)