Wisconsin Administrative Code › Public Service Commission › Chapter PSC 185 - Standards For Water Public Utility Service › Subchapter III - Service and Billing › Section PSC 185.35 - Adjustment of bills

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Whenever a positive displacement meter is
				found upon test to have an average percent registration of more than 102 and
				whenever a compound or current type meter is found upon test to have an average
				percent registration of more than 103, a recalculation of bills for service
				shall be made for the period of inaccuracy assuming an inaccuracy equal to the
				average percent error in excess of 100.
(2) For the purposes of this rule, the
				average percent registration shall be the average percent registration for
				those normal test points which are within the normal test flow limits of the
				meter, except that the test point within the "change-over" range for compound
				meters shall be ignored. (For positive displacement meters the light flow test
				point would not be considered.)
(3)
				If the period of inaccuracy cannot be determined, it shall be assumed that the
				full amount of inaccuracy existed during the last half of the period since the
				meter was installed or last tested.
(4) Where a meter in service is found not to
				register or is found to have an average percent registration of less than 97,
				the utility may bill the customer for the amount the test indicates has been
				undercharged for the period of inaccuracy, which period shall not exceed the
				last 24 months the meter was in service unless otherwise authorized by the
				commission after investigation. No backbill shall be sanctioned if the customer
				has questioned the meter's accuracy and the utility has failed within a
				reasonable time to check it.
(5) If
				the recalculated bills indicate that more than $5.00 is due an existing
				customer or $10.00 is due a person no longer a customer of the utility, the
				full amount of the calculated difference between the amount paid and the
				recalculated amount shall be refunded to the customer. The refund to an
				existing customer may be in cash or as credit on a bill. If a refund is due a
				person no longer a customer of the utility, a notice shall be mailed to the
				last known address and the utility shall, upon request made within 6 months,
				refund the amount due.
(6) Subject
				to the utility's written rules setting forth the method of determining a
				reduced rate, if a leak unknown to the customer is found in an appliance or the
				plumbing, the utility is encouraged to estimate the water wasted and bill for
				it at a reduced rate not less than the utility's cost. No such adjustment shall
				be made for water supplied after the customer has been notified and has had an
				opportunity to correct the condition.
(7) Where, because of some deficiency in the
				utility's portion of the facilities and at the request of the utility, a
				customer permits a stream of water to flow to prevent freezing of the service
				or main, the utility shall adjust the bill for the excess consumption which
				results.
(8) A record shall be kept
				of the number of refunds and charges made because of inaccurate meters,
				misapplication of rates, and erroneous billing. A summary of the record for the
				previous calendar year shall, upon request, be submitted to the
				commission.