Help is available for Dublin water customers who had to correct leaks and breaks from Winter Storm Uri, and the City Council and administration approved it in 2018.
Dublin City Secretary Melissa Minor reported that was the most recent drafting of the city’s adjustment for excessive water consumption.
“The city had already established the assistance for people with leaks in 2018,” said Minor.
The adjustment is allowed one time per 12 month period for current customers whose water charges are over $200 in a single month. (Full requirements can be found at the end of the story.)
“The city eats half the [water charges],” said Minor. “The customer is responsible for the remainder and any other costs [like sewer and garbage collection].”
Minor said they understand that many were affected by the winter storm. (Public Works Director Cory James previously reported that between 100 and 200 Dublin water customers had leaks and breaks on their properties.)
However, the city is still responsible for purchasing water that it provides to its residents from the Upper Leon Municipal Water District so they can not fully cover excessive water charges. It is still hoped that the adjustment can provide the assistance many need.
Minor said the city is always willing to work with residents and businesses and tries to be fair. The water department already extended assistance last month as it suspended late fees and disconnect fees for the month of February.
“We were trying to help as best we can with what little we could control,” Minor said.
Terms for applying for the adjustment are as follows:
1. Customer must, in writing, contest the amount due as excessive and requests an adjustment from the City Secretary by the 15th day of the current month; Customer must demonstrate the excessive consumption was due to a break, leak or another incident beyond the control of the customer, and that such break, leak or other circumstances were remedied promptly upon being discovered; customer must submit a receipt for materials bought to correct the leak, along with the written document, to the City Secretary or designee.
2. The contested water amount must meet or exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200) for that current month.
3. Customer’s account must be current. Any exceptions will be reviewed by the City Manager or designee.
4. Customer will be responsible for paying half of the water charge for that month, plus any other charges associated with their account.