THE TOWN OF HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

SECTION 3 - Charges

3.1 Establishment of Rates
Rates chargeable for water and payable by the consumer shall be determined by the Water Commissioners as instructed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41 Section 69B.

3.2 Bills Payable
Bills for water service are due and payable upon issuance of the bill. The failure of the consumer or his his/her agent to receive notice of their water bill or other related charges does not relieve them from the obligation for payment or from the consequences of nonpayment. All charges are due and payable upon issuance of billing and are past due THIRTY (30) DAYS after the date of the billing. The records of water supplied in the Department Office shall be sufficient basis for billing and to commence action for nonpayment against present and/or consequent owners of record.

3.2a Payment Plans
Accounts more than two payments in arrears must make payment in full. The payment plan terms are set by the Billing Administrator and approved by the Superintendent. If an individual requests a payment plan, they must not be arrears more than one calendar year. If a payment plan is requested after the original billing due date, a late penalty will be assessed to the account. Payments should not be less than ten dollars unless special permission is granted by the Board of Water Commissioners. Only one payment plan can be requested within the same calendar year. If another plan is requested within the same calendar year, the request must be made to the Board for approval. If the terms of the payment plan agreement are not kept, the plan becomes void and any further plan requests made within one year of the original date of agreement must be made in writing or personal appearance to the Board.

3.3 Overdue Charges
Any overdue charge including interest charges may be collected by any legal means, including a lien on the property or shutting off the water service as an action of contract as provided under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 42A-42F.

3.4 Date of Consumer's Liability to Pay
A minimum charge shall be assessed for water service from the date the water service is connected whether the water is used or not.

3.5 Charge for Turning On or Off Water
A charge shall be made for turning on or turning off water.

3.6 Collection of Miscellaneous Water Charges
All bills for labor or materials on Consumer's property and charges for shutting off or turning on water shall be subject to the same conditions as bills for water.

3.7 No Business with Delinquents
No person who owes an overdue bill for water charges shall be entitled to further use of water at the same or any other premises until such water charges are paid in full, together with costs. Such costs shall include in accrued interest.

3.8 Claims for Adjustments on Bills
All claims for adjustments of water bills shall be made within thirty (30) days of the billing. Abatements will be made for clerical errors, misreads or failure of Water Department equipment. Abatements will not be issued for water leaks or high consumption unless otherwise determined by the Board of Commissioners.

3.9 All Water to be Metered and to be Paid
All water must be metered and paid for whether used or wasted. A minimum charge shall be assessed for water service from date the water is turned on.

3.10 When Meter is Out of Order
If a meter fails to register, the Consumer shall be charged based on the best available information concerning water use.

3.11 Leaks
The Department shall have the right to shut off water supplied to any property where a leak EXISTS or BELIEVED TO EXIST. Any such leaks must be repaired and must pass inspection by the Department before water will be restored. In addition, each consumer shall be responsible for the cost of any repairs to any private portions of the water system as well as the cost of water.

3.12 Right to Furnish Water to Others
A Consumer shall not be permitted to supply the premises of another person with water, except in special emergencies and then only with the approval of the Superintendent.

3.13 Unauthorized Use of Water
Use of municipal water is confined to the premises named and set forth in the application as approved.

3.14 Service Tap Renewals or Replacements
In the event a new service tap is required or requested, it shall be considered a service renewal. The customer will be required to pay for each service tap upgrade.