Utility Bill Policy

1. The property owner is ultimately responsible for the timely payment of utility bills, and the water bill will be mailed to the property owner at the address on file in the municipal office of the Borough of Ridgway. However, the bill may be mailed to the owner at the address of the rented property, “in care of” the tenant. This must be coordinated with the property owner through the Borough of Ridgway main office. There is also an option for a duplicate bill that would be sent to both owner and tenant.     

2. Automatic Clearing House (ACH) payments are authorized for property owners and tenants.    

3. In the event of a property transfer, a final water reading will be taken, and the resulting final bill must be paid-in-full. If the property is purchased at a Judicial or Repository sale, the utility bill is absolved for the new property owner.     

4. In the case of any account which has not been paid in full by the “due date” (approximately the 21 ^st of each month) water service may be terminated. Water service will remain disconnected until the bill is paid in full (including arrears, current charges, and a turn on fee of $50.00).

5. Accounts with a balance owed after the “due date” will be charged a 10% late penalty.

6. Customers requesting their water be turned off will be charged a $20 fee, as well as a $20 fee for turning it on.  

7. Customers with a high balance on their account will be placed on a written, signed agreement payment plan where the customer agrees to pay each month’s current charges plus at least 10% of the remaining balance and become current within 10 months. This is a onetime offer. Failure to sign the agreement and/or meet payment plan will result in shut off and the bill must be paid in full before water service is restored. If a customer refuses the payment plan, the water service will be disconnected IAW paragraph 4.    

8. Miscellaneous Billing: A late fee of 12% annually will be applied to miscellaneous accounts not paid within 60 days of receipt. 

9. A dwelling without (or with leaky plumbing) active water service is subject to numerous International Property Maintenance Code violations, including unfit for occupancy (condemned), dangerous structure or premises, and / or improper plumbing fixtures. The results of which may include fines and/or eviction.

10. The Borough of Ridgway will read water meters at the end of the month, with the bills being mailed during the first working week of the following month.

11. Utility bills and miscellaneous bills are paid at Farmers National Bank, 173 Main Street, and billing questions are directed to the Ridgway Borough Office 814-776-1125. 

12. Dumpster rental charges are reflected on the monthly water / sewer / refuse billing statement. Rented dumpsters must be emptied at least once per month or there will be a $40.00 rental fee for an unused container.