New Orleans City Code § 159-11 Billing procedures.
Sec. 159-11. - Billing procedures.
(a) Meter readings:
(1) SWBNO shall conduct meter readings monthly as necessary to bill customers in accordance with the prescribed billing cycles.
(2) When SWBNO conducts a meter reading, the meter reader shall take a picture of the meter at the time of the reading. Such picture shall include the date and time stamp of the reading as well as clear images of the numbers indicating water usage and the meter number. SWBNO shall include a copy of the picture with the customer's bill.
(b) Monthly billing:
(1) SWBNO shall bill customers in accordance with monthly billing cycles. Should SWBNO fail to send a customer a monthly bill, after three consecutive billing cycles, SWBNO forfeits its right to collect payment for the unbilled amount.
(2) In the event a customer receives a billed amount 20 percent higher than the customer's last actual bill, SWBNO shall allow the customer to enter into a deferred payment arrangement for the difference in billed amounts through which SWBNO will collect the balance due over a period not to exceed 24 billing cycles.
(c) Fixed rate billing:
(1) On all bills for residential customers, SWBNO shall include the method by which the residential customer may elect to receive fixed rate bills, including via email, phone call, in person at a SWBNO customer service center, or postal service.
(2) At any time, a residential customer may opt-in to fixed rate billing by utilizing any of the methods provided by SWBNO. If a customer opts-in to fixed rate billing, SWBNO shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the customer's bills reflect the fixed rate no later than the second billing cycle after the customer submits their request.
(d) Estimated billing. SWBNO is prohibited from sending estimated bills.
(e) Third-party manager. The council has the right to select a third party to oversee, supplement, manage, or otherwise participate in the billing procedures described herein. The third party shall be selected in accordance with all applicable procurement policies and laws.
(M.C.S., Ord. No. 30724, § 1, 8-6-26)