Attention: A Surcharge Appeal Application must be submitted for each bill where a penalty exists. Previous penalty waivers do not automatically result in waivers on existing or future penalties.

A Surcharge Appeal Application may only be submitted on bills where a surcharge exists. Any applications received before surcharges are assessed will be automatically denied.

By completing this Surcharge Appeals Application form, customers may appeal the conservation surcharge on the basis of hardship or billing error within 10 days after receiving disputed bill.

1.    To avoid late penalties or interruptions of service, the full amount of disputed water bills must continued to be paid on time.

2.    Appeals will be reviewed within fifteen business days.

3.    The appeal officer will review all factors including:

• Water use caused by emergency health and safety hazards;
• Water use related to family health;
• Whether additional people have been added to the household/business;
• Water use required for the health of mature fruit trees;
• Water use required for fire protection and slope stability;
• If customers are currently using maximum water conservation.

4.    If unsatisfied with the appeal officer’s decision, a second appeal may be filed in the same manner with the city manager or designee whose decision will be final.  Secondary appeals must be accompanied with a fifty dollar ($50) filing fee for residential customer accounts and a one hundred dollar ($100) filing fee for all other customer accounts.

5.    No appeal will be granted unless the customer can show a maximum reduction in water consumption.

6.    No appeal will be granted for maintaining turf and similar landscape.

7.    The appeal officer may request information to help with his/her decision however; applicant is required to include any information or evidence that may assist appeal officer's decision.