Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 65.9 - Adjustment of bills for meter error(a)Fast meters. If upon test of a meter, the meter is found to have an error of more than 4% fast, the public utility shall refund to the consumer the overcharge based upon what the meter would have registered had it not been fast or slow for a period equal to 1/2 the time elapsed since the last previous test but not to exceed 12 months. If the period of registration error is fixed with a reasonable degree of certainty, the overcharge shall be computed for the period. If the meter has not been tested under § 65.8 (relating to meters), the period for which it has been in service beyond the regular test period shall be added to the 12 months in computing the refund.(b)Slow meters. If upon test of a meter, the meter is found to have an error of more than 4% slow, the public utility may render a bill for the water consumed but not covered by previously rendered bills equal to 1/2 of the time elapsed since the last previous test but not to exceed 12 months. If the period of registration error is fixed with a reasonable degree of certainty, the charge may be computed for the period. Payment of this previously unbilled consumption shall be under § 56.83(5) (relating to unauthorized termination of service).(c)Nonregistering meters. If a meter is found not to have registered for a period or not to have fully measured the entire flow due to meter interference, the public utility shall compute the water used by taking the average of the water used for the nearest meter reading period immediately preceding and the meter reading period immediately following the date when the meter was found to be not registering or interfered with, which amount shall be assumed to be the amount of water used by the customer during the billing period in which the meter was found not to have registered. Exceptions may be made only if the facts clearly show that the stated method does not give the correct consumption for the period.The provisions of this §65.9 adopted March 25, 1946; amended August 15, 1980, effective 8/16/1980, 10 Pa.B. 3356; amended October 11, 1985, effective 10/12/1985, 15 Pa.B. 3648; amended May 23, 1986, effective 10/12/1985, 16 Pa.B. 1812.The provisions of this §65.9 issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 317, 501, 1301, 1304, 1501, 1502, 1504, 1507, 1508, 1702 and 1704.