CHAPTER III
CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES

Section 3.5 Customer Obligations.

a. Acceptance of Service Rules.

An application submitted and signed and such service is provided, and/or subsequent usage of the utility service occurs shall obligate a customer to the conditions imposed by this service policy manual, and the owner of the property shall be considered as having expressed his/her consent to be bound by the regulations and requirements contained these service rules.

b. Reading of Meters.

Customers are required to read their own meters. Exemptions will be made to those that are physically unable as determined by the Utility or a Physician and that do not have someone else residing on the premises that can read the meter. Estimated meter readings or meter readings by appointment shall be charged a $5 meter reading fee. There is no charge for annual or verification meter readings that are specifically needed by the Utility.

c. Damage to Utility Equipment/Facilities.

The customer shall not use the equipment or structures of the Utility for reasons other than those incident to normal service, nor create a condition likely to interfere with the functions of such equipment and structures, without written consent of the Utility. The customer shall be held responsible for his or her actions, which cause damage to, or loss of utility equipment.

d. Customer Premises/Utility Access.

The customer and owner shall grant the Utility, without charge, right-of-way over and on the premises on which equipment and structures of the Utility are located. Access to the equipment and structures shall be granted to the Utility at reasonable times for installation, inspection, testing, repair, and other functions necessary for the maintenance of satisfactory service.

e. Notice by Customer To Terminate Service.

A customer shall give the Utility not less than three business days notice, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to final termination of service. Discontinuance of service notice under this section shall be during normal business hours for the Utility’s Business Office at 700 – 7th Street from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday or by calling 712-551-2565 during regular business hours.

f. Moving/Altering of Utility Equipment.

Equipment owned by the Utility, including, but not limited to meters, lines, load management boxes/disconnects, converters, digital converter boxes and Residential Subscriber Units (RSU’s) may not be moved to a location or address other than the location or address where service was installed, without prior written authorization from the Utility. Also only authorized employees may remove, cut, raise or change any facilities belonging to the Utility.

g. Attachment of Equipment

Attachment of any unauthorized device to Utility equipment, or modification to the Utility’s equipment or facilities, is prohibited without prior written authorization from the Utility.

h. Resale of Service/Providing Utility Service to Others.

No Account Holder, person, occupant or owner of any premises to which a utility service is supplied shall be allowed to provide or resell service of the Utility to other persons, families, buildings, premises, etc. or permit the same to be taken. All service shall be subject to immediate disconnection per IAC. Back billing shall occur for past minimum charges and any expenses incurred as a result of this illegal activity.

i. Prohibited Equipment Installations.

No customer-owned equipment or device that interferes in any way with the normal operation of the Utility facilities, including any equipment or device that intercepts or assists in intercepting or receiving any service offered by the Utility, may be installed on either the customer’s wiring or the Utility’s facilities.

j. Implementation of Energy Conservation Standards.

As a condition of electric or gas service per space heating or cooling, the owner of any building or structure completed after April 1, 1984 intended primarily for human occupancy, must certify to the utility that the building conforms with the energy conservation requirements of the State of Iowa Building Code (680 IAC 16.800) (3) as amended by 16.800 (4). If compliance is being certified to other state and local agencies, a copy of their certificate form may be provided to the City of Hawarden. Otherwise certification shall be provided on a form provided by the City of Hawarden.