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Complaints from two water utility customers who were hit with unexpectedly high bills struck a chord with Delta city manager Justin Clifton and the Delta City Council. Staff has come up with a "good neighbor" policy which was considered by the city council at its regular meeting Jan. 8.

Upon adoption, the policy will allow a one-time adjustment for water breaks and/or leaks that occur in undetectable areas. The undetectable area will be defined as any area where the resident would reasonably be precluded from detecting the leak within a time frame necessary to complete improvements prior to increased water usage. The allowable adjustment would charge the wholesale rate for all additional water usage above the average usage, determined on a case-by-case basis during the break or leak. The adjustment would apply only to the current billing month.

In any area that should be detected — such as a crawlspace, sprinkler system or leaking toilet — the customer will be expected to pay the full bill at the normally charged rate.

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