(A) If a customer has a water leak that causes an increase in their monthly bills, the village may provide an adjustment to the customer's bill as long as the following criteria are met:
(1) The leak must have caused water usage to exceed twice the normal seasonal usage used by the customer (taken as average usage of the last six full usage readings of the respective season, extrapolated as necessary for customers who have not resided in the location for the appropriate time frame; and
(2) The leak must be repaired within 30 days of the earliest of either:
(a) Notification by the village of an excessive water usage, or
(b) Mailing date of utility billing first containing the excessive usage.
(3) The customer has requested the leak adjustment, in the form prescribed by the village, and has provided proof of repair or inspection in the form of receipts, invoices, or sworn statement, confirmed by village meter reading verification, and
(4) Except as set forth in division (B)(1)(c), the customer has not received a water leak adjustment in the preceding three years.
(B) The following water leak adjustments are available:
(1) (a) For indoor leaks or other leaks when the water has discharged through the sanitary sewer system - 50% credit of charges for water usage in excess of the seasonal average, with no credit for sanitary sewer charges.
(b) For underground, external or other leaks when the water has not discharged through the sanitary sewer system -50% credit of charges for water usage in excess of the seasonal average and up to 100% credit for sewer charges in excess of the seasonal average, to the extent such credit is approved by the Springfield Metro Sanitary District.
(c) A credit of up to 100% for sewer charges in excess of the seasonal average usage may be available for all confirmed and repaired underground/external leaks without regard to the three-year limit, to the extent such credit is approved by the Springfield Metro Sanitary District.
(2) Water leak credits are limited to a maximum of two billing periods.
(C) Seasonal usage is computed based on the following demand periods:
(1) High-demand — Meter readings from April through September
(2) Low-demand — Meter readings from October through March
(D) A residential customer who has experienced increased usage but is unable to identify a specific leak source, may still qualify for the relief offered herein, provided the criteria in division (A) are otherwise met and further provided that through meter readings, the village is able to confirm the increase in consumption has ceased.
(E) The village may offer an Extended Payment Plan under the following circumstances: a customer has been back billed for utility services, a customer has a large balance remaining after an adjustment is granted under the water leak adjustment policy, or for a large balance due for a water leak that was not eligible for adjustment under the water leak adjustment policy. Customers who have failed to make a payment under a previous Promissory Payment Arrangement or a previous Extended Payment Plan within the last 12 months will not be permitted to enter into an Extended Payment Plan.
(F) When the payment plan has been agreed upon between the customer and the Utility Collections Specialist, the Utility Collections Specialist will confirm each payment amount due and each due date with the customer. A payment plan confirmation notice will also be mailed to the customer's billing address. As long as the customer complies with the agreed upon Extended Payment Plan, no penalties will be assessed to the account. With a signed payment agreement the customer agrees to the following:
(1) The village may establish a monthly payment schedule over a period not to exceed four months for amounts not eligible under the water leak adjustment policy. The customer must pay one-fourth of the amount due at the time the payment arrangement is entered into.
(2) The village may establish a monthly payment schedule for amounts that are a result of back billed utility services. The payment period shall not exceed the period of time for which the services are back billed.
(3) In addition to the monthly past due installment, the customer must pay his or her current utility bills on time.
(4) If the customer defaults on any part of the payment arrangement, the village will demand payment in full or their service will be disconnected.
(Ord. 15-04, passed 2-10-15; Am. Ord. 16-15, passed 4-26-16)