RULE NUMBER 9
RENDERING AND PAYMENT OF BILLS
A. RENDERING OF BILLS
1. Billing Period
Bills for water service will be rendered bimonthly, monthly, or as otherwise provided in the rate schedules. The Director of Administrative Services may change the billing period of a customer if such change is considered in the best interests of the Utility.
2. Metered Service
a. Bills for metered service will be based on meter registrations. Meters will be read as required for the preparation of regular bills, opening bills, and closing bills. b. If because of unusual conditions or for reasons beyond its control, the Utility is unable to read the customer's meter on the scheduled reading date, the Utility may bill the customer for estimated consumption during the billing period and make any necessary corrections when a reading is obtained. Estimated consumption for this purpose will be calculated considering the customer's prior usage, the Utility's experience with other customers of the same class in that area, and the general characteristics of the customer's operations. Adjustments for any underestimate or overestimate of a customer's consumption will be reflected on the next regularly scheduled bill rendered and based on the actual reading following the period of estimated consumption. If the cause for the Utility's inability to read the meter is because of inaccessibility, then access to the meter sufficient to permit its being read shall be provided by the customer as a prerequisite to the Utility making any downward adjustment of water consumption billed on an estimated basis. Additional details pertaining to estimating consumption can be found in Rule Number 18.
3. Prorating
The first and final fixed meter charge will be prorated based upon the applicable start of end of service date. In no event shall water usage charges be prorated.
All other bills shall not be prorated and shall include the full monthly meter charge plus charges for water usage.
B. READINGS OF SEPARATE METERS NOT COMBINED
For the purpose of billing, each meter upon the customer's premises will be considered separately and the readings of two or more meters will not be combined, except where the Utility's operating convenience requires the use of more than one meter per service connection.
C. INACCESSIBLE METER CHARGE
If the Utility is unable to record the meter because the meter is inaccessible for any reason beyond the Utility’s control, the Utility shall charge an “Inaccessible Meter Charge” in an amount designated in the adopted fee resolution.
In the event a customer requests the Utility rebill an estimated read generated as a result of their meter being inaccessible pursuant to Rule 9(A)(2)(b), the Utility shall charge an “Inaccessible Meter Rebill Charge” in an amount designated in the adopted fee resolution.
D. PAYMENT OF BILLS
1. All bills are due immediately and are considered late if not paid by 5 p.m. on the due date shown on the bill. Payment shall be made to the City of Fullerton
2. Charges for reconnection of service, and payments of deposits or payments to reinstate deposits as required under the rules of the Utility, shall be paid before service will be reconnected.
3. If payment of a bill is not received by the Utility Services Division on or before the due date, a late charge as designated in the adopted fee resolution will be added to the total amount due. Upon customer’s request, one late charge may be waived in a twelve (12) month period. This waiver must be for the current bill or immediately preceding bill.
4. At the Utility’s discretion, and upon customer’s request, one payment arrangement may be granted in a twelve (12) month period for customers that have experienced a water leak or unforeseen emergency, by contacting the Utility Services Division.
5. Upon the customer’s request, one inaccessible meter charge may be waived in a twelve (12) month period. If customer is eligible for a waiver, at customer’s request, waiver will be applied to either the current bill or immediately preceding bill.
E. RETURNED ITEM CHARGE
The Utility shall require a charge for any returned item. The amount of said charge shall be set by the adopted fee resolution on file at the City Clerk's Office.
F. CHECK READ CHARGE
When a customer requests that the Utility verify the accuracy of the read as shown on the bill, the Utility shall charge a "Check Read Charge” as designated in the adopted fee resolution, for sending a field representative to the service address to obtain another reading of the meter. If said check read shows that the previous read is in error, no check read charge will be imposed. If reading is correct, Check Read charge will be added to the customer's next regularly scheduled water bill.
Effective on XX/XX/XX Resolution No. 2023-XX Dated XX/XX/XX Superseding Resolution No. 2021-63 Dated: 8/17/21
Effective on XX/XX/XX Resolution No. 2023-XX Dated XX/XX/XX Superseding Resolution No. 2021-63 Dated: 8/17/21
CITY OF FULLERTON
Water Utility Issued By:
303 West Commonwealth Avenue Public Works Department
Fullerton, California 92832 Water System Management Division RULE NUMBER 9 – Continued
CITY OF FULLERTON
Water Utility Issued By:
303 West Commonwealth Avenue Public Works Department
Fullerton, California 92832 Water System Management Division