by Mark Schmerling
The Town of Columbus has included more specific language in its water leak policy to give customers on break.
Columbus Town Council met March 20 and approved new language that includes forgiving some or all of the usage caused by leaks.
The discussion began at the town’s February meeting where council directed town manager Jonathan Kanipe to prepare a new policy. The discussion was sparked after a large leak was encountered at a commercial facility.
Kanipe explained to council that the previous language in the water leak policy was vague and needed to be updated. The policy deals with both commercial and residential customer leaks.
Kanipe said that town officials had to be helpful to the customer, but also consider the town’s water supply.
If it can be documented that an excessive use of water by any Columbus utility customer is the result of a leak, the following adjustments may be made on the customer’s water account.
For customers with leaks below or equal to 200 percent of the six-month average use, the customer will be required to pay the average water charge for the previous six months.
The sewer charges, if applicable, will be averaged as well, according to the updated policy.
For example, if a customer averages 4,500 gallons per month for the past six months and their current bill is for 12,000 gallons and a leak is determined to be present, the customer will be charged for 4,500 gallons (the average) for both water and sewer. The town will forgive the approximate 7,500-gallon leak.
For customers with leaks greater than 200 percent of their six-month previous average use, the customer will be required to pay the average water charge for the previous six months plus 25 percent of the leak amount, according to the updated policy. Sewer charges, if applicable, will be the average of the previous six months.
So if a customer averages 4,500 gallons per month for the past six months and their bill is for 30,000 gallons and a leak is detected, the customer will pay for the 4,500 gallons and 25 percent of the overage.
No more than two adjustments may be made to the same account in a 12-month period. Council gave the town manager authorization to use his discrepancy to allow more than two water bill adjustments if the town manager determines further adjustments are warranted because of extenuating circumstances. The manager must provide a written reason for this deviation to council.
The town manager is also authorized to allow larger water bill adjustments or to deny adjustments if, in his/her discretion, they are warranted by extenuating circumstances.
Any customer who notices excessive water usage on their utility bill should notify town officials of any leak.
It is the customer’s responsibility to make the necessary repairs to their water system. Once repairs are complete and documentation is presented to town officials, the customer will complete a utility charge adjustment form. The town clerk or designated employee will calculate the adjustment and request approval from the town manager. The town manager will then make the adjustment according to the policy.