POLICIES, FEES & REGULATIONS
NEW ACCOUNTS:
A valid photo ID and copy of lease/purchase agreement are required to begin service. A security deposit is required on every water meter - NO EXCEPTIONS. Accounts are not transferable.
Service and billing begins the day the meter is installed and/or unlocked.
If a customer plans to ELEVATE the land around the meter, the customer must pay for a riser to be installed by the Water Works System. Meter (not meter box cover) must remain no more than 20 inchesbelow adjacent ground elevation.
Only one home per single residential meter. Additional water meters must be purchased for additional homes.
If customer does not close the account and provide a forwarding address, the deposit will not be refunded.
Listed below are the RATES for residential and commercial meters.
A commercialactivity engaged in as a means of livelihood or profit, or an entity
which engages in such activities requires a commercial rate class
- RESIDENTIAL:
0 – 2,000 gallons$18.75 Flat Rate
Over 2,000 gallons$3.00 per thousand gallons
- COMMERCIAL:
0 – 2,000 gallons$44.00 + tax Flat Rate
Over 2,000 gallons$3.00 per thousand gallons
PAYMENTS:
Bills are mailed out on or before the first day of each month. Payments are due upon receipt – they are delinquent if not paid by the 15th of each month.
Accounts paid after the 15th of the current month will be charged a 10% late fee.
Payments not received after the 25th are subject to disconnection and collection fees.
Not receiving a bill does not excuse customer from late charge or non-payment. All active accounts are charged monthly.
Bank Draft is available – the amount due is deducted from customer bank account on the 15th or the next regular business day. Bank Draft begins the month after it is signed up for. (CONT’D ON BACK)
On-line payments may be made through Pay N Seconds on our website: houstonriverwaterworks.com.
Over-payment is accepted with a cap of $500.00.
We reserve the right to not accept checks from anyone.
Minimum fee of $1.50 on all debit/credit card payments made in person
Pay by phone: 1-888-642-2981, you will need your pin number & account number
Credit Card fee: $4.25 chargeE-Check fee: $3.25
SERVICE CALLS:
Service calls are scheduled to be completed within 24hrs., unless the job requires two employees. Additional labor and parts will be applied when applicable.
For new service connections to the water main – allow 1 to 3 weeks.
Mobile home owners and/or trailer park owners – when moving a trailer onto a lot you are required to leave an area of 3 ft. in diameter, minimum, clear around the meter box.
It is the customer’s responsibility to keep the meter box clean, free of mud and debris, and easily accessible. This includes bushes, dogs, locked gates or other obstacles that obstruct access to the meter box. If the meter is not accessible the meter reader will place a reminder card on the front door of the home. If the meter is not accessible the next month, a Houston River Water Works employee will clean out the meter box at a charge of $20.00.
FIX LEAKS PROMPTLY! EVEN A SMALL LEAK OR RUNNING COMMODE CAN CREATE A VERY HIGH WATER BILL.
LOCK-OFFS
- Payments received after the 25th of the first month - are subject to lock-off and a $40 collection fee.
- An additional $100 fee is charged if the ‘lock’ has been cut/tampered with, or water service to the property has been re-established by any means.
- Once the operator leaves the plant to begin lock-offs, the account is in collection status, regardless of whether the operator has locked the meter or not.
- The collection charge must be paid, along with the full balance due, in cash, credit or money order – checks will not be accepted.
- After payment has been received, service will be restored before 4:00 p.m. if time allows or at the start of the next business day.
- Operators are not allowed to accept payment in the field or after office hours.
- Plant Operators are only instructed which meters to lock. They are not instructed to knock on doors.
- Account will be closed by the office if lock off balance is not paid by the end of the month.
Meters will be locked if a check or online payment is returned by the bank for ANY reason. A $10 NSF fee and $40 reconnect fee must be paid, in cash or money order, in addition to the amount of the returned payment before service is restored.
Bank Drafts refused by the bank for Non-Sufficient Funds will be treated the same as a returned check.
OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Open during lunch. Drop slot located in the front door of the office for your convenience.
The drop is checked daily at 8:00 a.m. Please include account number.
September 30, 2018