DC Water must post notices before water and sewer shutoffs

DC Water’s general manager must post notices before shutting off water and sewer service. The notice is for occupants, whether they rent or own, at a building facing a water and sewer shutoff. The notice must go outside the building and at each unit if the unit is publicly accessible and posting there is practical. It must use English, Spanish, or another language DC Water reasonably believes occupants speak. It must state the amount owed and how many days the account is past due. The notice must be posted at least 30 working days before service ends.

DC Water may add charges and penalties to bills that remain unpaid. The provision covers unpaid DC Water charges and bills. The added charge may be up to 10% on an amount unpaid for more than 30 days. A 1% monthly penalty, compounded each month, may apply to an amount unpaid for more than 60 days. The late payment provision applies as of April 18, 1996.

DC Water must send monthly shutoff figures to District officials. DC Water must report to the Council, the Attorney General, the People’s Counsel, and the Tenant Advocate. The counts cover notices, shutoffs, restored service, payment plans, tenant association payments, and properties placed in receivership. DC Water must send each report on the seventh day of the month for the preceding month.

The District’s language access law lists DC Water as an agency with major public contact. This classification applies to DC Water under the District’s language access law.