City of Sheridan : FAQ

Frequently Asked Utility Billing Questions

What are the rates for water?
Answer: There are three different entities billed from this office, all with different rates and units of measure. Rates for these entities are based on the size of the meter. City accounts are charged based on Resolution #16-05 Section 3. SAWS accounts are based on their Rules and Regulations, most recently updated in August 2004. Downer District locations are charged the same as outside city customers (Resolution #33-06) with the difference being they are measured in 1000 gallons and therefore require conversion of their usages at the time of billing into 100 cf.

How am I charged for sewer? Why do I pay the same all year?
Answer: Non residential accounts (usually commercial) are charged for their sewer based on their bi-monthly water usage. Rates are calculated according to Resolution #16-05 Section 4. Residential accounts - including trailers and apartment complexes - are charged based on the average usage of water during the winter months. For consumers billed in the even months, the readings taken during December and February are averaged. That usage is then plugged into the formula in Section 4. For consumers billed in the odd months the readings taken in January and March are averaged. The charges are updated annually in April for the even group, and May for the odd. Those rates are repeated for a year.

I had a water leak in January. My sewer bill is $100! Do I have to pay that for a year?
Answer: This has been addressed in a formal policy adopted a year ago. According to that policy, there are three major criteria a customer must meet in order to be eligible for a reduction on their bill.

The leak must have occurred during the period when sewer rate averages are calculated.
The customer must have paid the water bill associated with the leak.
The customer must have remedied the problem and be prepared to provide documentation from a certified plumber. If all requirements have been met, the customer will be adjusted to repeat the previous years' rate on the next billing cycle. Pro-rata adjustments will not be made.

Why is my bill so high? Do I have a leak?
Answer: It depends on the usage. Sometimes a customer may think they have excessive consumption, but the usage is actually normal for them - usually happens in the summer months. If the usage does seem unreasonably high, or the customer would like it checked, I schedule an appointment for a crew member to examine the meter.

When can I expect to receive my next bill?
Answer: It varies depending on their billing cycle. There are approximately 16 cycles for each month's billing.

I have been at this address for six weeks and have not yet been billed. Why?
Answer: Again, this depends on their billing cycle. If they established their account at the very end of the previous cycle, it is possible a customer could go for two months before receiving their first statement. Occasionally, it can also mean that the work order transferring the account from the former customer to the new never reached the billing office. That is a rare and unfortunate situation. Account adjustments are made as a result to remedy the problem in a way that is fair to both parties.

Were my current charges based on an estimate? I never use this much water.
Answer: The software used for meter reading generates numerous reports for each billing group. One of these reports includes information citing the day and time a meter was read. If it is necessary to estimate an account, the billing software has the ability to base it on the usage history of the meter.   I make it a point of documenting the reason it was estimated.

Why am I still getting billed if I left the property three months ago?
Answer: When a consumer vacates a property it is their responsibility to make arrangements for termination of services. In addition, when a consumer purchases a property it is their responsibility to establish an account. As long as one party or the other makes arrangements, there is usually no conflict. Difficulties arise when neither party take measures to transfer ownership - each assuming it was handled by the other. When this occurs, one of two options is available. Either the transfer becomes effective immediately, or as of the last reading date of the meter.

I signed up for Auto draft recently. Will my account be drafted on my next bill?
Answer: It varies depending on when in the billing cycle the request was made. If they were already billed for the most recent cycle, then the answer would be a no. If they are about to be charged in the next few days, then the answer would probably be no. If they made the request for a billing cycle taking place in the following month, then yes.

I paid my bill two days after the due date and I was penalized $8.00! Why?
Answer: This complaint usually comes from a SAWS customer. According to the agreement, customers are penalized 10% the DAY AFTER the due date. No exceptions. City customers are penalized 1.17% five days after the due date.