Water Leak Forgiveness Adjustment Policy

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Water Leak Forgiveness Adjustment Policy

The Water Leak Forgiveness Adjustment Policy provides metered single family unit water supply customers an opportunity to request financial assistance in the form of a credit for abnormally high and unintentional (due to exceptional and unexpected circumstances) water bill charges resulting from undetected leaks (or other undetermined causes) in their plumbing system, provided such leak has been repaired.

The policy enables staff to address instances when an eligible metered water supply customer receives an unusually high bill of a plumbing system failure. Though the customer is responsible to repair leaks in their plumbing system, it is recognized that a high-water bill resulting from an unintentional water leak can present financial hardship to a customer.

Before applying for an adjustment, see if you meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

Complete an online application form

Apply for an adjustment

If you require this form in an alternative format, or if you require assistance completing this form, please contact the Loyalist Township administration office by phone at 613-386-7351 or via email.

Eligibility Criteria

Program Eligibility

The Customer’s water billing account must be in good standing at the time of submission of a Water Bill Adjustment Request Form.
Limit of one forgiveness adjustment, applied as a credit to the account, per qualifying utilities account to which the Township supplies water and/or wastewater services.
The premises was not vacant or unattended during the period of the water bill adjustment request.
The customer must complete and submit a Water Bill Adjustment Request form to the Township within 90 days of receiving notice of increased water usage. The date of notification of increased water usage may include, but is not limited to:
- Date of water bill.
- Date of written notice delivered to the owner or occupant of a premises by the Township or its representative; or
- Date of a courtesy phone call or email to the customer by the Township or its representative.
- The customer must make a reasonable effort to locate the leak and complete repairs within 60 calendar days of notification of increased water usage.
The customer shall retain any receipts for the repairs and provide copies of the same to the Township:
- Copy of the repair invoice (if repaired professionally)
- Copy of the repair receipts (if repaired by owner/tenant/agent)
The high-water bill cannot be the result of a “catch-up” bill where an actual meter reading was obtained following a minimum of two (2) consecutive estimated bills,
The adjustment will be calculated using the rates from the bill that the credit is being requested for.
The adjustment is only applicable to volumetric charges. Fixed fee charges are not eligible for adjustment or factored in the calculation.
The customer must be able to explain the increased water usage.
Water consumption for the billing period must exceed two (2) times the customer’s average bi-monthly consumption for the previous twelve (12) months and be greater than fifty (50) cubic meters.
The increased water usage was not due to:
- Filling a pool or spa, irrigation system, or other similar uses.
- Water lawns/gardens, washing sidewalks or driveways, washing cars, or other outdoor or discretionary water uses.
- The increased water usage was not due to theft, vandalism, or construction damage.
No adjustment is available where the leak is caused by a third party from whom the costs may be recovered.