Understanding Your Bill
The goal of the District is to provide our customers with a statement that is functional, delivers information that is important to you, is professional in appearance and is produced in the most cost efficient manner possible. Important Features of Your Bill
Glossary of Common Billing Terms
Important Features of Your Bill Click on the numbered portions of the bill for a complete description of that section. 
- Service Information: This section includes the Bill Date, the billing period and the number of service days you are billed for. Please note that the Bill Date is not the date that your meter is read; however, service, and other "per day," charges through this date are included on the bill. (back to bill)
- Activity Since Prior Bill: This section will include your previous bill total and also the total amount of payments received between the previous Bill Date and the current Bill Date. If you have a past due amount that is still owed, a courtesy reminder message will be displayed informing you that payment must be received prior to a certain date in order to avoid the potential for service interruption. (back to bill)
- Conservation Tier Rate: The charge for all residential water provided by the District is calculated using what is called a 5-tier conservation rate structure. Water is charged at progressively higher rates for more that is used. This is done to promote the conservation of water resources and the cover the District's increased expense for using costly imported water. You will see the total Water Charge calculation displayed in individual tiers so you can see how increased water usage impacts your bill. (back to bill)
- Total Current Charges: In addition to your water charge, this section will display all of your current charges that make up your bill total. Included are sewer charges, service charges, power zone, deposit billing, adjustments, and any fines or fees incurred during the billing period. (back to bill)
- Total Due: Just look here for a quick summation of what is currently owed on your bill. (back to bill)
- Change of Address or Auto Pay check box: Check this box if you have filled out the change of mailing address or contact information, or the Auto Pay application that is on the reverse of the payment coupon at the bottom of your bill. (back to bill)
- Quick Display of Contact Information: You can conveniently review the contact information that the District currently has on file for your account. It is important that in cases of emergency, or for courtesy reminders, that the District have a way to quickly contact you. If the information needs updating, then complete the change of mailing address and contact information conveniently located on the back of the bill. (back to bill)
- Usage Information: This section includes a handy chart that compares water consumption from the previous year to the current year, and includes your previous and current read information. The average daytime high temperature and rainfall information for the billing period is included in order to assist you in determining the cause for notable fluctuations in water consumption. (back to bill)
- News for You: This section will update you about conservation issues, new programs to improve your service, and changes to billing policy. (back to bill)
- District Contact Information: Lists the District's mailing address, contact numbers, hours and our website address. As always, you can access your account information and make payments 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week either using our automated phone system, or the District's website. (back to bill)
back to top
Glossary of Common Billing Terms Water Consumption: The amount of water consumed by the property during the billing period displayed in hundred cubic feet (CCF).
CCF (Hundred Cubic Feet): Equal to 748 gallons. A measure of volume 10' square and 1 foot deep that is used for billing water consumption.
Service Charge: A monthly charge (prorated daily) for customer services such as maintaining meters, processing bills, posting payments and repairing water mains. Daily service charges are based upon the size of a customer's water meter. Charges are applied to open accounts whether water is used, or not.
Power Zone Charge: The electricity cost to deliver water to various elevations throughout the District. This charge is billed based on the amount of water consumption that registers on a meter.
Sewer Charge: A monthly charge (prorated daily) for costs of collecting, transporting, treating and disposing of sewage. Rates vary by area for for customers served by different wastewater treatment facilities.
Days of Service: The number of days that fall within the billing period. Normally, this will alternate between 28 and 35 days.
Deposit Billing: An amount billed to a customer that is specifically used for deposit only purposes. Normally, deposits are billed in equal installments of $25 each month until fully paid.
Interruption Process Fee: A fee charged to customers that are scheduled for interruption of service due to non-payment if payment was not received by the indicated due date and time. The fee is used to cover the costs of staff time spent preparing an account for interruption, and for locking off and restoring service.
Returned Check Charge: A fee charged to a customer that has had a check or ACH payment returned by their bank as unpaid. The fee is used to recoup the cost of recovering those delinquent funds and fees charged by the District's banking institution.
Conservation Tier Rate Structure: A method of calculating the water consumption charge used by the District that is intended to reward rate payers that use a low volume of water during a billing period. For residential water service customers the District uses a 5-tier structure. A set amount of water is charged at each tier using progressively increasing rates.
Delinquent Charge: A penalty charged to customer accounts if payment is not received by the indicated due date. Currently, the delinquent charge is $5.00 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Total Payments: The total amount of payments received since the last bill date. Seperate payment amounts are not listed on bills.
Service Set-up Charge: A standard fee charged to all new customers for setting up an account at the District. Currently, the advanced notice set-up charge is $10.00. An additional "same day" fee in the amount of $50.00 is charged for customers that call before 2:30 pm the same day they require the service to begin. An additional "after hours" fee in the amount of $100.00 is charged for customers that call after 2:30 pm the same day they require the service to begin.
Deposit Interest: Customers that have paid any portion of a deposit to the District will have a interest paid to them in the form of a credit on each bill.
Illegal Use Fine: A fine charged to customer accounts for a variety of infractions against the District's Administrative Code; including, but not limited to, using water or sewer service without first notifying the District, cutting of District locks, or using District services in an unsafe manner.
back to top
|
