Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 65 - Water Service Utilities › Subchapter 7 - Meter Requirements and Testing › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 165:65-7-2 - Adjustment of bills

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Allowable error in adjustment of charges.
Whenever any water meter
				  is tested by PUD or the utility at the request of the consumer to determine the
				  accuracy with which it has been registering in service, it may be considered
				  correct if found to have an average error of no more than two percent (2%) and
				  no adjustment of charges shall be required unless the error is greater than two
				  percent (2%).
(b)
Fast
				  meters.
Whenever any water meter tested by PUD or the utility is found
				  to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) fast, (or in favor of
				  the utility), the utility shall refund to the consumer the overcharge based
				  upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to one-half (1/2) the time
				  elapsed since the last test, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be
				  established that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be
				  fixed with reasonable certainty, or the error was due to meter tampering or
				  theft, in which case the overcharge shall be computed from that date.
(c)
Slow meters.
Whenever any water meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an
				  average error of more than two percent (2%) slow, (or in favor of the
				  consumer), the utility may charge for the water consumed, but not included in
				  bills previously rendered, based upon the corrected meter reading for a period
				  equal to one-half (1/2) of the time elapsed since the last previous test, but
				  not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was
				  due to meter tampering or theft.The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the
				  corrected amount, in installment payments, over the same period of time in
				  which the incorrect billing took place, but not to exceed six (6) months,
				  unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.
(d)
Non-registering meter.
If a
				  meter is found not to register or to register intermittently for any period,
				  the utility may charge for an estimated amount of water used, by averaging the
				  amounts registered over corresponding periods in previous years, or in the
				  absence of such information, over similar periods preceding or subsequent
				  thereto. The estimated billing shall not exceed six (6) months, unless it can
				  be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility
				  shall allow the consumer to pay the estimated billing amount, in installment
				  payments, over six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and
				  consumer.
(e)
Incorrect
				  register on meter.
If a meter is found to have an incorrect register,
				  the error shall be corrected. Where the error is adverse to the consumer the
				  utility shall refund to the consumer the excess charged for the water
				  incorrectly metered for the period of time the meter was used in billing the
				  consumer. Where the error is adverse to the company, the utility may charge the
				  consumer the undercharge for the water incorrectly metered for the period of
				  time the meter was used in billing the consumer, unless it can be established
				  that the error was due to meter tampering or theft.The utility shall allow the
				  consumer to pay any unbilled amount over the same period of time in which the
				  undercharge took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise
				  agreed to by the utility and consumer.
(f)
Inaccurate usage amount.
Bills rendered to the consumer by the utility with inaccurate usage shall be
				  adjusted with the next succeeding bill. The utility shall advise the consumer
				  of the error prior to the next bill being rendered. However, the utility may
				  make a special reading without charge to the consumer and render a corrected
				  bill to the consumer. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay any unbilled
				  amount over the same period of time in which the undercharge took place, unless
				  otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.
(g)
Exception.
This Section
				  shall not apply to routine testing and replacement of meters pursuant to OAC
				  165:65-7-11.
Amended at 16 Ok Reg
					 2380, eff 7-1-99