Evening star., 1943-08-25
Wafer Officials
Weigh Plan 10
Assess Owners
Bill Payments Sped
By 10 Pct. Penalty,
Registrar Reports
BY DON s. WARREN.

Two new developments today
marked consideration at the District
Building of the problems and oper-
ations in the billing, collecting and
accounting of water bills. They are:
l. Officials revealed they are con-
sidering a proposed amendment to
District stutates under which the
owner of property would be held re-
sponsible for payment of water bills
to the District, whether he or ten
ants occupied the premises.
2. Water Registrar Ralph L. Heb
bard reported that application OF
the new 10 per cent penalty for de-
linquent payment of water bills has
served to reduce the percentages of
delinquents to the low" mark of
1.9 per cent.
Quarterly Bills Urged.
Meanwhile, there was some dis
cusslon as to suggestions that water
bills be rendered four times a year
instead of once a year, now the
case with most of the 10000 ac-
counts.
Offlcials agreed that in the case of
water users In the low-income
brackets payment of bills would be
easier four times year than once a
year. Against this is the anticipated
neavy increase in costs of operating.
Mr.. Hebbard declares many more
meter readers and clerks would have
TO be hired to handle the work.
Law Goes Back to, 1878.
Inc District law, which goes back
to 1873, gives the Commissioners
authority to collect water bills from
the owner or occupants" of build
lngs or establishments. However
years ago decision by Judge Job
Barnard of District Court held. in
effect, that the consumer of water
was the one to be held responsible
consideration, therefore, is being
given by responsible District off,
clals, to simplification of the oues-
tlon by a suggested amendment to
law which would place the full re-
sponsibility directly on the owner.
The report of Controller General
Lindsay Warren showed that the
District was losing considerable
revenue each year because of nom
payment of bills by tenants.
Delinquencies Cut.
Mr.. Hebbard revealed that appli-
cation of the 10 per cent penalties
on delinoueent water bills was begun
last January After a section of the
city has had meter readings bills
are rendered. If payments are not
made within 80 days final warn
ing Is given the water user, with
notice that water service may be cut
off after 48 hours.
The result has been, Mr.. Hebbard
continued, that whereas in earlier
years delinquencies amounted to
Is to IS per cent, they had been re-
duced TO 1.9 per cent as of last
July 1.
Mr. Hebbard reported water serv-
ice has been cut off at 81 premises
since July l. This compares with
632 cutoffs made during the entire
preceding year.
Health Nuisance Denied.
deputy Health Officer Daniel L.
Seckinger reported today the Health
Department has found no health
nuisance at the two dwellings in
the $500 block of F street NV.
where water service was cut off last
month for non-payment of acumu-
lated unpaid bills.
These premises were inspected
yesterday afternoon by the Board
for Condemnation of Insanitary
Dwellings. Members include DR..
Seckinger, Building Inspector Rob-
ert H. Davis and Assistant Engineer
Commissioner Joseph D. Arthur, jr.,
who is chairman.
1t was indicated the board will
make no move for condemnation of
the buildings if present sanitary
conditions continue.
The tenants were said to be using
water and plumbing facilities at the
dwellings of neighbors.