How is billing computed?
Our billing cycle is based on a ninety-day billing quarter (three months use). Your bill includes a basic service charge that is based on the size of your water service line and on water consumption registered through a meter. For more explanation about billing take a look at the bill sample and minimum service charge chart.
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Why do I have to pay a $30.00 initiation fee if I change residences?
The Suffolk County Water Authority is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation. In order to keep service costs low for our entire customer base, we establish fees to cover costs that may be specific to certain services that most customers do not use. The initiation fee is a specific charge used to defray the cost incurred to establish a new account.
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Why did I receive a high "catch-up" bill?
If your water meter showed no usage for multiple billing cycles due to a malfunction, reading issue or lack of access, SCWA may have estimated your usage. Once an actual reading is obtained, any unbilled water use is included in a catch-up bill.
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Am I responsible for water charges if my meter wasn’t recording usage?
Yes. Even if your meter was not registering usage due to a stopped meter, transmission issue or lack of access, you are still responsible for paying for the water used once an actual reading is obtained.
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How far back can SCWA bill me for adjusted usage?
If the issue was due to an SCWA error, back billing is limited to 18 months. If caused or extended by lack of access or customer actions, charges may go back 36 months. If intentional tampering or meter damage is found, back billing may extend up to 6 years.
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