Deposit & Collection Policy
DESCHUTES VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
RESOLUTION REGARDING CUSTOMER POLICY
WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 264.304 provides that any district may adopt and promulgate regulations concerning the use of water and the property of the district. Said statute additionally provides that the Board of Commissioners may refuse to supply any building, place or premises with water where the user fails to pay for said usage; and
WHEREAS, ORS 264.308 provides that any district may require a reasonable cash deposit to ensure payment for the use of rental water to be furnished by the District; and
WHEREAS, ORS 264.314 provides that in case prompt payment of water rent or charge is not made, a District may shut off the water supply to the building, place or premises to which the District supplied water; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Deschutes Valley Water District desired to update the customer policy uniformly and incorporate as a Resolution of The Board of Commissioners; now therefore,
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that The Deschutes Valley Water District Customer Policy is as follows:
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that said Customer Policy may be modified periodically and is not all inclusive of the rights of The District or the obligations of its customers; now therefore,
The Board of Directors of Deschutes Valley Water District adopt the following policy:
DVWD CUSTOMER POLICY
The Board of Commissioners of Deschutes Valley Water District recognizes that through the course of business situations occur that require a consistent and non-discriminatory resolution. The following policy describes actions to be taken by DVWD staff. The Board retains the right of Management to alter resolutions and actions listed in this policy so as to fit individual circumstances.
The business activities covered are, but not limited to, the following:
1. Rental deposits
2. Late payments
3. Collections and Termination of Service
4. Disconnects and reconnects
5. Time payments
6. “Off-not-out” services
7. Illegal connections
RENTAL DEPOSITS
Renters requesting water service are required to pay a deposit of $45 before service is established. A customer may transfer a deposit within the District’s distribution system. The deposit amount is calculated by multiplying the District’s Minimum Monthly Water Rate by three (3). Periodically, the District may adjust the Monthly Minimum Water Rate and the preceding formula shall be used to calculate a new deposit fee without adopting a new policy.
After one year of prompt and complete payments, the deposit will be refunded to the customer. Any breach of the payment history by late payment, NSF check, etc. will require prompt payment of a deposit. If the deposit is not made within 30 days from the date of first notice, the service will be disconnected (see Disconnection-Reconnection section).
When a rental customer requests termination of service, the deposit will be applied to the final water bill. If there is a balance after the deposit is applied to the final water bill it will be refunded to the customer. Refund checks not negotiated within six (6) months will void and the funds transferred to the General Fund of the District.
LATE PAYMENTS
After the tenth day of the month, late payment notices shall be sent to all customers that are 45 days in arrears. The written notice shall be by first class mail or shall be posted in some conspicuous place on the building, place or premises to which the supply of water may be shut off. When the notice is mailed, it shall be deemed given when it is deposited in the United States Post Office properly addressed with postage prepaid. Any other notice provided herein shall be made in the same manner. The customer will have one calendar week from the date of notice to make a payment or make arrangements for payment. At 61 days in arrears, a final notice with a termination of service date shall be sent or delivered to the customer.
COLLECTIONS AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE
A service shall be disconnected on or after the date listed on the Final Notice of Termination of Service unless arrangements with the District have been made.
DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION
A water service may be disconnected from the District’s system for nonpayment, unsafe and/or unsanitary conditions that threaten the health and welfare of the customer, or other customers or the Integrity of the District System, and if the water delivered is used for uses that the District’s water rights will not allow. If a customer requests a reconnection of the water service, a $45 fee and any water bill balance must be paid prior to reconnection and/or any condition that required the disconnection is remedied.
TIME PAYMENTS OF PAST DUE WATER BILLS
If a customer communicates their wish to pay a delinquent water bill over a period of time, the District shall use the attached schedule of payments. Each water bill would have the present water charges plus the agreed to schedule payments. In no case would the schedule of payments be longer than 12 months or less than the existing Monthly Minimum Water Rate. Where a customer has signed an agreement that specifies a schedule of payments the District may disconnect the Service for nonpayment 15 days after the 10th day of the following month after a final notice has been mailed specifying the termination date.
OFF-NOT-OUT SERVICES
The District recognizes that at times it is more efficient and convenient for the customer and the District to not remove a meter. The District may designate a meter connection as “off-not-out” and not bill the customer until the customer requests the Service be returned to Service.
ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS
If a service is connected to the District’s water system without a meter or without the District’s approval, it is deemed illegal. The District staff will notify the Jefferson County Sheriff and/or City Police Department that an illegal Service connection has been made. After the citation for theft of services has been issued by the authorities, District personnel shall remove the illegal connection. Notification shall be left on the premises of the actions taken and to contact the District office.
A PROTECTION OF HOUSEHOLD SUPPLY OF WATER
Whenever the household supply of water is being jeopardized by non-household use water, the District can order the non-household use of water to be immediately discontinued. Non-household use of water would be for irrigating lawns, gardens, providing water for animal or stock, or any other uses other than strictly for household water usage. In the event of drought conditions, the District may notify all customers of the restriction of use. Any customer not complying with the restriction of use to preserve household supply of water shall be given Notice of Disconnection as provided herein. Any failure to comply will be subject to disconnect and reconnecting will only be allowed upon a provision of an agreement to restrict use to household use until further notice by the District.