South Central Water Assn

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1. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WATER CONSUMPTION? We inform our customers that typical usage ranges from five to seven units per person per billing cycle. Remember this is only an approximation, and individual usage will vary considerably!
2. HOW OFTEN DO I RECEIVE A BILL? Water is billed bi-monthly, including a minimum invoice of 6 units for residential accounts. Please check our rate schedule for your location. Customers have twenty days to pay their bills. Any unpaid bills after the due date will incur a 3% bi-monthly charge on outstanding balances.
3. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T PAY MY BILL? Unpaid bills become delinquent after the due date. Both occupants and owners will be notified of our intent to suspend water service. A $10 fee is added when the notice is mailed. After service interruption, full payment plus a $75.00 reconnection fee is required to restore service. Payment must be made via cash, certified check, money order, or debit/credit card. Personal checks aren't accepted for accounts disconnected for non-payment.
4. WILL MY BILL BE BASED ON ACTUAL METER READINGS? We strive to obtain actual readings every 2 months. If we can't get a reading, we'll estimate based on previous usage. After 1 estimate, your bill will include a message to schedule a reading. We'll also update or repair the meter during this visit. Property owners must ensure access to meters for accurate readings.
5. WHY DID I RECEIVE A BILL WHEN NO WATER WAS USED? A minimum bill applies for each billing cycle that a meter is installed. The only way to stop billing is to request meter removal, which incurs a removal fee (see our current rates page).
6. HOW CAN I CHECK FOR A TOILET LEAK? If you suspect a toilet leak, contact our office for detection tablets. For Sensus Remote meters, check the black triangle on the meter face - if it moves when no water is being used, you have a leak. You can either repair it yourself or contact a plumber.
7. WHAT IF THE WATER METER FREEZES? Property owners are responsible for protecting meters from freezing or damage. Owners are charged for replacement meters plus reset fees for frozen or damaged meters (see our current rates page).
8. HOW DO I SET UP AN ACCOUNT? As of June 1, 2009, only property owners in the service area can open accounts in their name. Owner information is verified through the Chemung County Clerk's Office.
9. WHAT ABOUT TENANT ACCOUNTS? For properties with tenant account holders: when tenants move out, accounts convert to the owner's name until the property is sold. For long-term tenants: accounts will transfer to the owner's name when the tenant moves or by May 2012, whichever comes first.
10. CAN I CHOOSE WHERE THE WATER BILL IS SENT? Rental property owners can initially choose to have bills sent to the service address. Payment responsibility remains with the property owner.
11. WHEN IS A FINAL BILL GENERATED? Final bills occur only during property transfers.
12. WHAT IF I NEED A SPECIAL READING? Only property owners can request special readings, which incur a twenty dollar ($20) service fee. Special readings are any readings outside the normal schedule for a service area. Owners can personally read meters anytime.
13. WHY AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR TENANT BILLS? The utility operates under the city charter stipulating that unpaid bills are property liens, not occupant liens. Property owners are ultimately responsible for unpaid water bills. Owners can contact our office regarding property water accounts.
14. HOW CAN I TRACK WATER USAGE WHEN TENANTS MOVE? When tenants vacate, owners can personally read the meter and calculate usage from the last bill. Alternatively, owners can request a special reading for a $20 fee; however, no final bill will be generated.
15. WHAT AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR? Customers are responsible for everything from the curb to the meter, the shut-off valve at the meter, and all internal plumbing after the meter. We only maintain the main to curb and the water meter. Please note we don't perform plumbing work. We can provide a list of curb-to-cellar contractors upon request.