Proposed Amended Ordinance Addresses Claims for Leaking Pipes

Claims for leaking underground sewer and water pipes by East Providence residents could soon be handled by an amended ordinance.

The City Council unanimously approved at its Sept. 3 meeting the introduction of the amended ordinance that could give homeowners an adjustment to an excessive sewer consumption charge. The councilors will vote on final passage at its Sept. 17 meeting.

The one-time adjustment would have to be approved by the City Council’s claims committee after a review by the public works director 

There are several conditions:

(1)  The property has not received a previous abatement for sewer consumption charges within the past 10 years, regardless of ownership.

(2)  The excessive consumption must exceed the prior year same period consumption at the property by 33 percent.

(3)  Excessive use cannot be caused by a change in use, such as added living units or a conversion from residential to commercial.

(4)  The adjustment to the sewer consumption charge will be computed in accordance with the following formula: Total billed consumption, minus prior year same period consumption, equals excessive consumption. Excessive consumption divided by two (2), plus normal consumption, equals the total adjusted consumption upon which the adjusted sewer consumption charge will be calculated. The calculation will be made using the sewer charges in effect for the billing period in question.

(5)  The adjusted amount will be deducted from the amount owed if the bill is unpaid or credited to the account if the bill has been paid. There will be no adjustment of interest charges unless the written request had been received prior to the due date of the bill.”

The adjustments will cost the city some money, the City Council was told by City Manager Peter Graczykowski. But the impact on the budget is not expected to exceed more than several thousand dollars a year.