(A) If, subject to the procedures of division (F) below, a customer receives a bill for abnormal water consumption, which results from, but is not limited to, the following conditions, an adjustment can be made in the customer’s bill. Valid conditions for issuing an adjustment include unknown leaks, hanging commodes, a defective plumbing fixture, defective meter or burst pipe. The customer will be required to present verification of the problem such as a plumber’s receipt or a receipt for a purchase of materials to repair the problem.
(B) If the cause is a broken pipe or leak whereby the wasted water is not returned to the sanitary sewer system, the bill, as adjusted, shall be calculated by:
(1) Determining the average water and sewer charge for the previous six months;
(2) Rebate 50% of the abnormal water charge, which is determined by the difference in the average bill for a six-month period and the excessive bill; and
(3) Rebate 100% of the abnormal water charge, which is determined in the same manner. The adjusted bill will result in the customer paying an average water and sewer charge in addition to 50% of the excessive water charge.
(C) If the cause is a defect in a plumbing fixture, such as a hanging commode, whereby the wasted water is returned to the sanitary sewer system, the bill, as adjusted, shall be calculated by:
(1) Determine the average water and sewer charge for the previous six months; and
(2) Rebate 50% of the abnormal water and sewer charge, which is determined by the difference in the average bill for six months and the excessive bill. The adjusted bill will result in the customer paying an average water and sewer charge in addition to 50% of the abnormal water and sewer charge.
(D) If the cause is of an undetermined origin, and it does not appear upon investigation that the occupants of the premises served were in any way at fault for the excessive water bill, the adjusted bill shall be calculated the same as in division (C) above.
(E) No reduction in a water bill shall be made for frozen pipes unless notice is given at the town hall and the water is ordered to be cut off.
(F) No adjustment shall be made for a period in excess of three billing periods and not more than one adjustment for an excessive utility bill at the same location within a period of one year.
(Ord. O-2007-16, passed 5-1-2007; Ord. passed 8-7-2007)