Or. Admin. Code § 860-036-1220 - Deposits for Residential Service

(1) Under conditions set forth below, a water utility may require an applicant or customer to pay a deposit as a guarantee of payment for services provided. Amounts held by a water utility may not exceed one-sixth of the actual or estimated annual billing for the premises.

(2) A water utility may require an applicant to pay, prior to service being provided, a deposit at the time of filing an application if:

(a) The applicant is unable to establish credit under OAR 860-036-1210;

(b) The applicant was previously disconnected by the water utility for tampering with water utility facilities, theft of service, or unauthorized use of water under OAR 860-036-1590; or

(c) The applicant was a prior customer of the water utility during the last 24 months and either:

(A) Was disconnected for nonpayment; or

(B) Failed to pay the account final bill by the due date.

(3) After service is initiated, the water utility may require a customer to pay a deposit, to be paid in full within seven calendar days, if:

(a) The customer provided false information to establish credit; or

(b) The customer tampered with water utility facilities or engaged in theft of service or unauthorized use of water under OAR 860-036-1590.

(4) A customer's failure to pay a deposit imposed under section (3) of this rule within seven calendar days is grounds for disconnection under OAR 860-036-1500.

(5) The water utility may adjust the deposit amount when a customer moves to a new location within the water utility's service area, and the anticipated bill at the new residence will be at least 20 percent greater than the basis of the existing deposit.

(6) When the customer pays the deposit in full, the water utility must provide the customer with a written document showing the date, the service address, the amount of deposit, the customer's payment made in full, the interest rate to be applied to the deposit, and an explanation of the conditions under which the deposit will be refunded.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 860-036-1220

PUC 1-2017, f. & cert. ef. 1/24/2017

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, 756, 757

Stats. Implemented: ORS 756.040