Leak Credit Policy

POLICY

The Village of Cottage Grove Leak Credit Policy is intended to address high use utility bills caused by water pipe breaks or failures. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that all plumbing, fixtures, and appliances in their building are maintained in sufficient operating condition. It is not the intent of this policy to issue credits for failures resulting from lack of maintenance.
All water that passes through the water meter must be paid for, therefore leak credits will only be considered on the sewer use portion of the utility bill.
Adjustments must be requested within ten (10) working days of receipt of the second high bill. Requests made after this time period will not be eligible for credit.

APPLICABILITY

Indoor Water Leak Credit

No credits for sewer use will be approved for leaks inside a building if the leaked water entered the sanitary sewer system via any fixture, appliance, or drain. Sewer use credits for indoor water leaks will only be approved if the customer can provide enough evidence that the water that was leaked did not enter the sewer system. It will be the burden of the customer to provide adequate proof to justify the claimed application.

Outdoor Water Leak Credit

Sewer credits may be considered for excess water usage resulting from a leak that occurred outside the building if the customer can prove that the water that was leaked did not enter the sanitary sewer system. It will be the burden of the customer to provide adequate proof to justify the claimed application.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A fully completed Leak Credit Application form must be submitted to the Utility for a credit to
be considered. Applicants are required to provide proof of repair at the time of application (e.g.
receipts for materials or services related to that repair).

Applications can be found here, on the Village website at: http://www.village.cottage-grove.wi.us/ or
at the Municipal Services Building. Applications can be submitted via email to
jlarson@village.cottage-grove.wi.us, in person, or via mail to:

Cottage Grove Public Works & Utilities
210 Progress Dr. Suite 2
Cottage Grove, WI 53527

ADJUSTMENT TERMS

Any eligible credit for sewer use will be calculated using the average sewer usage charge. If an
application is found qualifying, the sewer use portion of the bill will be credited at 50% of the
overage above the average usage.

Adopted on: June 12, 2019