2012Annual Report.pdf

Prompt repairs of leaks results in lower billings and
conserves water.
During severe cold weather spells, be sure to keep
a pencil-sized stream of water running to prevent
costly and inconvenient freeze-ups. You will be
responsible for repairing any freeze-up beyond the
meter.
Make sure you know where the main water shutoff
valve in your house is located in case you have a
"plumbing emergency".
Memberships
American Water Works Association
Idaho Rural Water Association
Regulated by:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Idaho Department of Water Resources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
THE
SPOUT
Falls Water Co., Inc.'s
Information Pipeline
FOR 2012
3.The unpaid bill results from the purchase of non-
utility goods or services.
4.Terminations are not allowed on Friday, Saturday or 2.
Sunday, legal holidays recognized by the State of
Idaho, the day preceding legal holidays, or at any
time when the company is not open for business.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY 3
If the customer or a member of the customer's family
is seriously ill or has a medical emergency, the utility will
postpone termination of service for thirty (30) days if a
written certificate signed by a licensed physician or
public health official is received.
An informal or formal complaint concerning the
termination may be filed directly with the utility. If the
customer is dissatisfied with the proposed resolution of
the complaint, they may contact the Consumer
Assistance staff by mail at the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission, P0 Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074, or
by telephone at 800-432-0369, or online at
http://www.puc.idaho.gov/
A complete set of customer Rules and Regulations
-are on file with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
and on the website.
FIRE HYDRANTS
Any customer with a fire hydrant located on their
property is responsible to make sure that access to the
hydrant is not blocked by landscaping, trees and shrubs,
or by fences. Fire department personnel must be able
to easily get to all sides of a hydrant in the case of a fire.
SPRINKLING
Falls Water does not have established watering days,
but we urge you not to waste water. A nozzle or
sprinkler must always be used when watering your
lawn. Use of an "open" hose" can result in termination
of service.
BEFORE YOU DIG
Idaho Law requires that you call Dig Line utility
locating service prior to any excavating in an easement
or digging deeper than 18 inches anywhere on or off
your property. Call 811 or 1-800-342-1585 three days
before digging.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
1. It is the owner's responsibility to repair any water
leaks in the service line from the meter to the home,
and any leaks in the home or under the home.
A 11 T T 11 W
.......... 11.1111 9
-M&I' I - I
2180 Deborah Dr., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
or on our website www.fallswater.com
Falls Water Co., Inc. has operated since 1959 and
currently serves over 3,750 homes in Bonneville County.
As your water provider, we would like you to become
familiar with some of our policies.
WATER SOURCE
Your water is supplied through a network of several
inter-connected deep wells throughout the service area.
The computer controlled pumps and distribution system
automatically delivers water to meet the fluctuating
demand.
The water is tested frequently according to testing
schedules approved by The Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality and by an independent laboratory
to ensure that it meets all state and federal water quality
standards. The water is chlorinated.
Falls Water Company operates in compliance with
and is regulated by the Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality and the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission (IPUC).
WATER RATES
The IPUC approved rate for residential, multi-family
residential, and commercial rates is as follows:
Service
Meter Size
Gallons included each billing
cycle is less than or equal to
Minimum
Charge
or less 12,000 $16.10
1" 17,000 $22.54
I %" 22,000 $28.98
2" 28,000 $37.03
4" 49,000 $66.01
If usage in a billing cycle or portion of a billing cycle
exceeds the allowable gallons included in the minimum
charge, the excess usage will be billed at $0.611 per
thousand gallons of water used.
Meters for single family residential customers will be
read monthly starting in April and ending with a reading
in October. During the winter months, November to
March, meters will not be read monthly. However, the
usage between the October reading and the April
reading will be used to calculate the April billing.
Allowance for the maximum usage, included in the
minimum charges paid during the November through
March billings, will be given when calculating charges
for excess usage on the April billing.
Meters for multi-family residential customers and
commercial customers will be read year round.
The bills are calculated on water use between meter
readings and are due by the 15th of the following month.
Customers with outstanding balances, as of the billing
date, will be charged a 1% per month late payment fee.
The one-time Hook-up Fee for newly constructed
homes is $500 for a %" meter, $600 for a 1" meter, $930
for a 1 ½" meter, and $1,205 for a 2" meter.
Reconnect fees after involuntary disconnection are
$20 for reconnection during office hours, Monday
through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and $40 if
reconnected after office hours. This fee is due at the
time of service restoration.
A $15 field collection fee will be charged if our
representative receives a partial or full payment on a
customer's account while visiting the customer to
terminate service for nonpayment. The fee will be
waived if payment is made to an employee restoring
service after an involuntary disconnection for
nonpayment.
A customer requesting that the company test the
meter for their service will be charged a $10 meter
testing fee. If the meter tests outside the manufacturer's
specifications of plus or minus 1.5%, the meter test
charge will be waived, the meter replaced, and an
adjustment made to the customer's bill.
A $20 returned check fee will be charged when a
customer's check is returned by the bank for insufficient
funds.
THE METER COVER
Our meter readers and service personnel must
have access to the water meter located on your
property. Please do not cover the meter with
landscaping or other obstacles. If you fence your
yard, be sure to leave the meter on the outside of
the fence. You can identify the cover as a round
cast iron lid near where the water line enters your
property.
TERMINATION RULES
SUMMARY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
GOVERNING CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF NATURAL
GAS, ELECTRIC AND WATER PUBLIC UTILITIES
A utility may terminate service to a customer
without his/her permission after adequate notice for the
following reasons:
1.Failure to pay an undisputed past due bill, or when
payment is made with a written check or electronic
payment drawn on an account with insufficient
funds.
2.Failure to make security deposit where it is
required.
3.Failure to abide by terms of a payment
arrangement.
4.Customer or applicant misrepresented their identity
for the purpose of obtaining utility service.
5.Customer or applicant denied or prevented the
utility's access to the meter.
6.Willful waste of service through improper equipment
or otherwise.
7.Customer or applicant is a minor not competent to
contract as defined by Idaho Code.
8.Customer or applicant owes money on an existing
account or from a previous account for service
provided within the past four years.
A utility may deny or terminate service without
prior notice to the customer or applicant and without
his/her permission for one or more of the following
reasons:
1.A situation exists that is immediately dangerous to
life, physical safety or property.
2.The utility is ordered to terminate service by any
court, the Commission or other duly authorized
public authority.
3.The service is obtained, diverted or used without
the authorization or knowledge of the utility.
4.The utility has made a diligent attempt to notify the
customer of termination, but has been unable to
make contact.
NOTIFICATION
1.A billing may be considered past due fifteen (15)
days after the billing date. A written notice of
termination must be mailed at least seven (7) days
before the proposed termination date.
2.At least twenty-four (24) hours before the service is
terminated, another attempt shall be made to
contact the customer in person or by telephone.
3.If service is not terminated within twenty-one (21)
calendar days after the proposed termination date,
another seven (7) day and twenty-four (24) hour
notice is required.
4.No additional notice is required if upon receipt of a
termination notice the customer makes a payment
arrangement and fails to keep it, or when payment
is made with a written check or electronic payment
drawn on an account with insufficient funds
WHEN TERMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED
1.The unpaid bill totals less than fifty dollars ($50) or
two (2) months service, whichever is less.
2.The unpaid bill is for service to another customer.