HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 20-38 Approving a Leak Adjustment PolicyTOWN OF WESTLAKE
RESOLUTION NO.20-38
A RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE,
TEXAS, APPROVING THE LEAK ADJUSTMENT POLICY AND ITS INCLUSION
INTO THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE UTILITY MANUAL.
WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake realizes the increase in Westlake's residential
community and there is a need to provide a framework for adjusting our residential customers'
water bills; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Town of Westlake is to provide leak abjustemnt policies and
ensure we take care of our residential water leak requests consistently; and
WHEREAS, the effect day for the leak adjudtment policy is January 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the people of Westlake.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN
OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the Recitals hereinabove are found to be true
and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2: That the Town Council of the Town of Westlake hereby approves the leak
adjustment policy attached to this resolution as Exhibit "A, and its inclusion into the Town of
Westlake utility manual.
SECTION 3: If any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
Resolution 20-38
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PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 14"' DAY OF DECMBER 2020.
ATTEST:
Tod Wood, Town Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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L. Stanton Lowry, Town Attorney
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Laura Wheat, Mayor
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Amanda DeGan, Town Manager
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Resolution 20-38
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Resolution 20-38
Exhibit "A"
LEAK ADJUSTMENT POLICY
1. Definitions
a. Adiusted Consumption: The amount of water the resident used, less the leaked amount
b. Pass -Through Rate: The City of Fort Worth provides its wholesale water customers with a
wholesale rate every fiscal year. This is the rate at which the Town of Westlake pays the City
of Fort Worth per 1,000 gallons of water consumed.
c. Pool Fill: Filling a swimming pool for any reason, either new construction or repairs.
d. Winter Quarter Average: The average water consumption during the months of December,
January, and February. This Average is used to determine the sewer charges for a residential
location for the 12-month period spanning April to April. Sometimes abbreviated as WQA.
2. Adjustment of Account
In the event of a leak, the Town will consider an adjustment to a utility account, as a courtesy to
our customers. A leak on the customer's side of the meter is considered the property owner or
tenant's responsibility to repair, including all costs associated with the repair.
a. Eligibility for an Adjustment Consideration
■ The total amount of water leaked must be more than 2,000 gallons
■ The repair must have taken place within 30 days of the leak being detected
■ The request and repair invoices must be submitted within 30 days of the repair
■ No adjustments have been granted within the past 6 billing cycles
■ No more than 2 billing cycles can be reimbursed per adjustment request
b. Adjustment Request Process for Customer
■ Request an adjustment by submitting the Water Leak and Adjustment Request form
found on our website, Westlake-tx.org
• Submit repair documents along with the form. If it was self -repair, document in detail,
including dates and times, as well as the nature of the repair
■ Allow 3 billing cycles for request to be processed
• Any approved credit will be reflected on the customer's billing statement
■ The customer shall continue to make regular monthly payments as scheduled while the
request is under consideration
■ The cost of the repair is not reimbursable
■ Base service charges are not reimbursable
■ Customer must be signed up for the Eye on Water program before the credit is applied
c. Adjustment Request Process for Town
■ Upon receipt of an adjustment request, a review will be scheduled for after the next
billing date
■ Using the Town's meter -reading system, staff will determine the amount of the leak. In
the absence or malfunction of such a system, staff will refer to the customer's average
use for the corresponding billing period in each of the prior 3 years
Public Works Department
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Resolution 20-38
Exhibit "A"
■ Communication between the Town & the resident shall be ongoing during the process
■ The resident may be credited the difference between:
1. The amount billed
2. The amount based on the combination of these two amounts:
a. Adjusted Consumption, charged per the current Town of Westlake water &
sewer rates
b. The amount leaked, charged per the Pass -Through Rate
3. Winter Quarter Average Adjustment
a. If the leak occurred during any of the Winter Quarter Average months, an adjustment to
the WQA will be made. Sewer charges may be adjusted if a considerable decrease in the
WQA is applied.
b. If a resident fills their pool during the Winter Quarter Average Months (December -
February), they may request an adjustment to their sewer bill only. The charges for
water consumption may not be adjusted. The excess usage may not affect their sewer
charges for the year.
4. Exception Clause
In the case of malfunctioning Town equipment or a billing error, strict adherence to the limits
described in this policy would not be required.
Public Works Department
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