Service Rules and Regulations

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  Type of service 

The rate schedule set forth below contemplates a single user, such as one family dwelling. One farm dwelling with appurtenances, or one commercial operation, and will not be changed without prior written consent of farmer’s home administration. 

Extraordinary circumstances, such as subdivision extensions, multiple dwelling units, industrial users shall be governed by special contract agreements made by The Board of Directors.

 ·Rate Schedule

For the service contemplated by paragraph above: 

First 2,000 gallons $33.31 Minimum

Next 3,000 gallons $8.49  per thousand

Next 3,000 gallons $7.46 per thousand 

Next 2,000 gallons $6.50 per thousand 

Next 10,000 gallons $5.48 per thousand

ALL Over 20,000 $4.02 per thousand

· Commercial Rates 

First 20,000 gallons $106.11 minimum

All Over 20,000 gallons $2.81 per thousand 

There is also 4% state tax added to all water bills. 

· Application for service

The consumer will make application for service, in person at the office of the henry county water authority, inc. and at the same time make the necessary nonrefundable service availability fee of 

of $100.00 for property owners and $100.00 for rental property will be required of all consumers when water service is available. 

· Charges for users agreeing to use service 

Each consumer subscribing to use the service of the corporation shall pay a connection fee of $1200.00 times the number of connection desired or the actual cost of installation, whichever is greater. 

· Minimum charge

The minimum charge, as provided in the rate schedule, shall be made for each connection subscribed for under the provisions of above shall be paid for a period of not less than 24 months. 

Water furnished for a given lot shall be used on that lot only. Each consumer’s service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point.

Except for fire protection, the corporation shall not under any conditions furnish water free of charge to anyone.

· Corporation’s responsibility and liability 

The corporation shall run a service line from its distribution line to the property line where the distribution line exists, or is to be constructed, and runs immediately adjacent and parallel to the property to be served. No service charge, other than the connection fee referred to in above for a 5/8” X ¾”. A proportionately greater charge will be made for a meter of larger dimension.

The corporation may make connections to service other properties not adjacent to its lines upon payment of reasonable costs for the extensions of its distribution lines as may be required to render such service. 

The corporation may install its meter at or near the property line or, at the corporation’s option, on the consumers property within 3 feet of the property line. 

The corporation reserves the right to refuse service unless the consumer’s lines or piping are installed in such a manner as to prevent cross connection or backflow. 

Under normal conditions, the consumer will be notified of any anticipated interruption of service.  

· Consumer’s responsibility 

Where the meter or meter box is placed on the premises of a consumer, a suitable place shall be provided by the consumer therefore, unobstructed, and accessible at all times to the meter reader. 

The consumer shall furnish and maintain a private cut off valve on the consumer’s side of meter, the corporation to provide a like valve on its side of such meter.

The consumers piping and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the consumer at the consumers expense, in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with the corporation’s rules and regulations and in full compliance with the sanitary regulations of the State Health Department.

Water furnished by the corporation shall be used for consumption by the consumer, members of his household, and employees only. 

· Access to premises

Duly authorized agents of the corporation shall have access, at all reasonable hours, to the premises of the consumer, for the purpose of installing or removing corporation property, inspecting piping, reading, and testing meters, or for any other purpose in connection with the corporation service and facilities.

Extensions to the system shall be made only when the consumer shall grant or convey, or shall cause to be granted or conveyed, to the corporation a permanent easement or right of way across any property traversed by the lines.

· Change of occupancy

Not less than three days’ notice must be given in person or in writing at the corporation office, to discontinue service or to change occupancy. 

The outgoing party shall be responsible for all water consumed up to the time of departure or the time specified for departure, whichever period is longest.

The new occupant will apply for water service within 48 hours after occupying the premises and failure to do so will make him liable for the water consumed since the last meter reading.

· Meter reading- Billing- Collecting 

Meters will be read, and bills rendered monthly, but the corporation reserves the right to vary the dates or lengths of period covered, temporarily or permanently if necessary or desirable. 

Bills for water will be figured in accordance with the corporation’s rate schedule and will be based on the amount consumed for the period covered by the meter readings, except where a consumer orders cut off less than one month after turn on, the minimum bill to such consumer for such a period shall be equal to the minimum charge for one month’s service.

Consumers subscribing for water pursuant to paragraph above will commence payment of at least a minimum bill when water is available, whether meter box is installed. 

Readings from different meters will not be combined for billing.

Minimum bills for undeveloped properties, where meters have not been installed, may be combined. 

Bills shall be paid at the place specified by the corporation.

Bills are due when rendered, delinquent after 20 days and a $5.00 penalty shall automatically be added to such bill if not paid within said 20-day period. 

Delinquent notices may be mailed to the consumer 20 days after the regular monthly billing date, but whether mailed out or not, if payment is not made within 30 days after the due date, service may be discontinued. 

Failure to receive bills or notices shall not prevent such bills from becoming delinquent nor relieve the consumer from payment.

· Suspension of service 

When services are discontinued, and all bills have been paid, the security deposit will be refunded if applicable.

Upon discontinuance of service for nonpayment of bills, the security deposit will be applied by the corporation toward settlement of the account. Any balance will be refunded to the consumer but if the security deposit is not sufficient to cover the bill, the corporation may proceed to collect the balance in the usual way provided by law for collection of debts. 

Service disconnected for nonpayment of bills will be restored only after bills are paid in full, such security deposit as may be required by the board of directors is made, and a service charge of $100.00 is paid for each meter reconnected. 

The corporation reserves the right to discontinue its service without notice for the following reasons:

1. To prevent fraud or abuse 

2. Consumers willfully disregard of the corporation’s rules and regulations.

3. Emergency repairs

4. Insufficiency of water supply due to circumstances beyond the corporation’s control. 

5. Legal processes

6. Direction of public authorities 

7. Strike, riot, fire, flood, accident or any un avoided cause 

The corporation may, in addition to prosecution by law, permanently refuse service to any consumer who tampers with a meter or other metering device. 

· Complaints- Adjustments

if the consumer believes his bill to be in error, he shall present his claim, in person, at the office of the Henry County Water Authority before the bill becomes delinquent, such claim, if made after the bill has become delinquent, shall not be effective in preventing discontinuance of service as heretofore provided. The consumer may pay such bill under protest and said payment shall not prejudice his claim. 

The corporation will make special meter readings at the request of the consumer for a fee of $50.00 provided, however, that if such special reading discloses that the meter was over read, no charge will be made. 

Meters will be tested at the request of the consumer upon payment to the corporation of the actual cost of making the test, provided, however, that if the meter is found over register beyond three percent of the correct volume, no charge will be made.

If the seal of the meter is broken by other than the corporation’s representative or if the meter fails to register correctly or is stopped for any cause, the consumer shall pay an amount estimated from the records of his previous bills and/or from other proper data.