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national multiple family submetering and allocation billing program ...

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ill. Condominium associations are given more flexibility to re<strong>program</strong> any excess charges to<br />

other budgeted association accounts, or back to unit owners the following year.<br />

Public Utility Regulation<br />

In Connecticut, the Department of Public Utility Control has one brief regulation<br />

concerning water <strong>submetering</strong>. Section 16-11-55(4) (Regulations of Connecticut State<br />

Agencies) states: “Submetering shall be permitted only with the approval of the commission.”<br />

To secure this approval, however, a property owner must file an “Application for a Connecticut<br />

Submeter Supplier Approval to Install <strong>and</strong> Use.” Sections A <strong>and</strong> B of the permit application<br />

require, for each building to be submetered, submission of a detailed floor plan <strong>and</strong> plumbing<br />

plan, a detailed plan <strong>and</strong> diagram of submeter installation, <strong>and</strong> a copy of notices or written<br />

materials provided to the resident regarding <strong>submetering</strong> <strong>and</strong> reading. The plumber who will<br />

install the submeters must also be identified. In section C, the applicant must provide a<br />

description of how the applicant will respond to resident inquiries regarding the installation,<br />

reading, <strong>and</strong> <strong>billing</strong> of the submetered premises, a sample bill that will be sent to residents, the<br />

written procedures of the applicant regarding compliance with transparency of the bill<br />

adjustment process, <strong>and</strong> written procedures of the applicant governing resident unit entry.<br />

Section D of the permit application describes the responsibilities of the applicant with respect to<br />

customer service <strong>and</strong> complaint h<strong>and</strong>ling. This section requires the applicant to provide written<br />

copies of customer service documentation given to the resident, including procedures for<br />

collecting <strong>and</strong> returning the water utility security deposit <strong>and</strong> the collection of late fees. This<br />

section also includes the submission of copies of notifications given to the resident, including<br />

instructions on complaint filing (with the applicant <strong>and</strong> the DPUC), requesting a meter reading or<br />

test, <strong>and</strong> contacting the DPUC <strong>and</strong> local utility. The final section of the application (E) requires<br />

the applicant to submit a comment letter for the water utility regarding the <strong>submetering</strong> proposal,<br />

specific provisions in the lease for the facility in question, the letter notifying current residents<br />

that this service is going to begin, <strong>and</strong> the contractual agreement between the applicant <strong>and</strong> a<br />

vendor that will do the <strong>billing</strong> (if applicable). Note that these submissions, including those that<br />

pertain to sample bills, customer service, <strong>and</strong> complaint h<strong>and</strong>ling, are not required for RUBS<br />

installations.<br />

In North Carolina, the North Carolina Utility Commission (NCUC) regulates<br />

<strong>submetering</strong> through the NCUC Rules Chapter 18 (R18-1-17): Resale of Water <strong>and</strong> Wastewater<br />

230

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