For me it's better, because it gets the same results without them having to go through the trauma of being shut off. He had forgotten to pay the bill. 1 Customer receives Water Bill . 2 Bureau mails out a Reminder Notice . 3 Bureau makes at least one telephone call warning customer of impending doom.
Customer can forestall shut-off by promising to contact bureau that day.
The vast majority of shut-offs never proceed beyond this point. Nonetheless, a tiny fraction of customers turn the meter back on after shut-off. 7 Bureau dispatches inspector to padlock the meter shut . 8 Customer breaks padlock with bolt-cutters. 9 Bureau removes meter , physically disconnecting property from main line.