Okla. Admin. Code § 165:65-7-2

Current through Vol. 41, No. 19, June 17, 2024

Section 165:65-7-2 - Adjustment of bills

(a)Allowable error in adjustment of charges. Whenever any water meter is tested by PUD or the utility at the request of the consumer to determine the accuracy with which it has been registering in service, it may be considered correct if found to have an average error of no more than two percent (2%) and no adjustment of charges shall be required unless the error is greater than two percent (2%).

(b)Fast meters. Whenever any water meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) fast, (or in favor of the utility), the utility shall refund to the consumer the overcharge based upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to one-half (1/2) the time elapsed since the last test, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed with reasonable certainty, or the error was due to meter tampering or theft, in which case the overcharge shall be computed from that date.

(c)Slow meters. Whenever any water meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) slow, (or in favor of the consumer), the utility may charge for the water consumed, but not included in bills previously rendered, based upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to one-half (1/2) of the time elapsed since the last previous test, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft.The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the corrected amount, in installment payments, over the same period of time in which the incorrect billing took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(d)Non-registering meter. If a meter is found not to register or to register intermittently for any period, the utility may charge for an estimated amount of water used, by averaging the amounts registered over corresponding periods in previous years, or in the absence of such information, over similar periods preceding or subsequent thereto. The estimated billing shall not exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the estimated billing amount, in installment payments, over six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(e)Incorrect register on meter. If a meter is found to have an incorrect register, the error shall be corrected. Where the error is adverse to the consumer the utility shall refund to the consumer the excess charged for the water incorrectly metered for the period of time the meter was used in billing the consumer. Where the error is adverse to the company, the utility may charge the consumer the undercharge for the water incorrectly metered for the period of time the meter was used in billing the consumer, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft.The utility shall allow the consumer to pay any unbilled amount over the same period of time in which the undercharge took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(f)Inaccurate usage amount. Bills rendered to the consumer by the utility with inaccurate usage shall be adjusted with the next succeeding bill. The utility shall advise the consumer of the error prior to the next bill being rendered. However, the utility may make a special reading without charge to the consumer and render a corrected bill to the consumer. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay any unbilled amount over the same period of time in which the undercharge took place, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(g)Exception. This Section shall not apply to routine testing and replacement of meters pursuant to OAC 165:65-7-11.

Okla. Admin. Code § 165:65-7-2

Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2380, eff 7-1-99

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 31, Issue 24, September 2, 2014, eff. 9/12/2014

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 21, July 15, 2019, eff. 7/25/2019