District of Columbia Administrative Code

400 RIGHT TO CHALLENGE GENERAL MANAGER'S DECISIONS AND BILLS 400.1 The owner or occupant of the premises may contest any water bill, sanitary sewer service bill or groundwater sewer service bill rendered for the premises, or any determination of practicability made by the General…

401 NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CHALLENGE BILLS, AND PRACTICABILITY AND IMMINENT THREAT DETERMINATIONS 401.1 Each water, sewer, and groundwater sewer service bill shall contain a written statement advising the owner or occupant of the following: (a) The owner or occupant may challenge the…

402 INITIATING A CHALLENGE 402.1 An owner or occupant may challenge the charges assessed by DC Water for water, sewer and groundwater sewer service, or any other billed service as follows: Billing disputes involving usage, meter accuracy, meter malfunction, or leaks, the owner or…

403 INVESTIGATION OF CHALLENGED BILL 403.1 Upon receipt of a timely challenge to a water, sewer or groundwater sewer bill, DC Water shall suspend the obligation of the owner and occupant to pay the contested charges contained in the disputed bill and the owner or occupant will no…

404 REPORT AND ADJUSTMENT 404.1 Upon completion of the investigation, DC Water shall issue a written decision containing a brief description of the investigation and findings. 404.2 On the basis of the investigation and findings, DC Water shall make appropriate adjustments to the…

405 ADJUSTMENT FOR METER OR COMPUTATION ERRORS 405.1 If the investigation discloses meter overread or faulty computation, adjustment(s) shall be made to reflect the correct charges, as indicated by the correct reading or corrected computations. 405.2 If the meter test results con…

406 ADJUSTMENT FOR HOUSEHOLD LEAKS OR AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTION 406.1 The repair of leaking faucets, household fixtures, and similar leaks, and the repair of malfunctioning water-cooled air conditioning equipment, are the responsibility of the owner or occupant. 406.2 If the i…

407 ADJUSTMENT FOR LEAKS WHICH OCCUR BETWEEN THE METER AND THE STRUCTURES THAT ARE SERVED BY THE METER AND FOR UNDERGROUND LEAKS 407.1 When a meter leak is discovered due to a DC Water issued meter, the Authority shall make the repairs to the meter. A licensed plumber may make th…

408 INCONCLUSIVE FINDINGS 408.1 In cases in which all checks and tests result in inconclusive findings that provide no reasonable explanation for excessive consumption, no adjustment shall be made to the bill for any portion of the excessive consumption, except as may be approved…

409 NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION RESULTS AND ADJUSTED BILLS 409.1 After reviewing the report and making any adjustments to the water or sewer service charges, in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, the Authority shall mail or email, where an email address is available on t…

410 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS 410.1 The purpose of hearings held under this Section is to provide the petitioner with an opportunity to appeal the decision of the General Manager pertaining to: (a) The validity of any water, sewer or groundwater sewer service charge; (b) The practi…

411 COMPUTATION OF TIME 411.1 The computation of any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Chapter, by notice, order, rule or regulation to DC Water, or by statute, shall not include the day of the act, event, bill, notice or default. 411.2 The last day of the period so co…

412 PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING 412.1 An owner or occupant may file a petition for an administrative hearing to review the decision of the General Manager within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of the decision. 412.2 A petition for an administrative hearing shall b…

413 SURETY BOND/DEPOSIT 413.1 The owner or occupant shall post a surety bond or deposit, equal to not less than one-half (1/2) of the outstanding water, sewer, or groundwater sewer service charges, penalties, and interest owed at the time the request for administrative hearing is…

414 HEARING OFFICERS 414.1 Upon the filing of a request for hearing, the General Manager may conduct a hearing or assign a hearing officer (“hearing officer”) to the case. Thereafter, all motions and procedural requests shall be addressed to the hearing officer. 414.2 No hearing …

415 SCHEDULING OF HEARING/DEFAULT JUDGMENT 415.1 The hearing officer shall set the date, time and place of the hearing. 415.2 The hearing officer may agree to reschedule the hearing upon the written request of one of the parties for good cause shown or upon the consent of all par…

416 DISMISSAL OF HEARINGS 416.1 A petitioner may request a dismissal by filing a written motion with the hearing officer or orally requesting dismissal at the hearing. 416.2 DC Water may request a dismissal by filing a written motion with the hearing officer or orally requesting …

417 SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS 417.1 The initial document filed by any party shall state on the first page the name and post office address of the person or persons to be served with any documents filed in the proceeding. 417.2 Whenever any document is filed by any party with the heari…

418 PROOF OF SERVICE 418.1 A party filing a document with the hearing officer shall furnish written proof that a copy also has been sent to every other party. 418.2 The proof shall show the date and manner of service and may be as follows: (a) Written acknowledgement of service; …

419 STYLE OF PLEADINGS AND PETITIONS 419.1 All pleadings, notices, orders and other papers filed under the provisions of this Chapter shall be captioned “Before the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.” 419.2 A document shall contain the DC Water Docket Number if assig…

420 HEARINGS 420.1 A party to any hearing may invite any member of the public to attend the hearing. 420.2 Hearings shall be held at the location indicated on the hearing notice; Provided, that the hearing officer, at his or her discretion, may establish other permanent or tempor…

421 ARGUMENT BEFORE THE HEARING OFFICER 421.1 The hearing officer shall give the parties to the proceeding adequate opportunity during the course of a hearing for the presentation of arguments in support of or in opposition to the petition for administrative review, motions, obje…

422 FINAL DECISIONS 422.1 The hearing officer shall issue a final decision containing a concise statement of facts and conclusions of law. 422.2 The final decision shall include specific findings on each issue of fact and shall be based upon reliable, probative, and substantive e…

423 PAYMENT 423.1 Checks or money orders shall be made payable to the “District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.” 423.2 Certified checks or cash shall be required for payments exceeding two hundred dollars ($ 200). 423.3 If any check or other instrument offered to make any …

424 TRANSCRIPTS OF HEARING 424.1 Transcripts of the hearing proceedings may be ordered through a form provided by the General Manager. 424.2 The costs for transcript(s) of the hearing record shall be borne by the party requesting the transcript. 424.3 Fees for transcripts shall b…

425 TERMINATION OF WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SERVICES FOR NONPAYMENT 425.1 The purpose of this Section is to establish the criteria and procedures for terminating water and sewer services for nonpayment of any charges, penalties, interests, or fees permitted by law to be assessed …

426 HONORING REQUESTS FROM OWNERS FOR TERMINATION OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES 426.1 DC Water, upon receipt of a written request from the owner of a property provided water and sewer services, shall terminate services when one of the following conditions exists: (a) The property i…

427 REAL PROPERTY LIENS AND TAX SALE 427.1 When bills for water and sewer service charges, meter maintenance and repairs, or sanitary sewer services are more than sixty (60) days overdue, DC Water shall provide the owner of record with a written notice of intent to file a lien. 4…

428 OPPORTUNITY FOR A TENANT TO RECEIVE SERVICE IN OWN NAME 428.1 DC Water may permit the tenant(s) to receive the bills in their own name, when the owner or agent of the rental property fails to pay the delinquent account in full and it is determined to be practicable. 428.2 At …

429 SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING MASTER-METERED APARTMENT BUILDINGS 429.1 Section 428 shall apply to all master-metered water and sewer accounts in residential rental apartment buildings billed directly to the owner, agent, lessor, or manager of the premises (hereinafter referred…

430 DETERMINATION OF PRACTICABILITY 430.1 DC Water may decide to continue water and sewer service to any master-metered residential, rental apartment building despite the nonpayment of a delinquent account by the owner, if the General Manager determines that it is practicable for…

431 NOTICE TO TENANTS 431.1 At least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to terminating water and sewer services to the premises, the General Manager shall post notice outside the premises. 431.2 The notice shall provide the tenant(s) with the following information: (a) The owner i…

432 TENANT PAYMENT OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICE BILL 432.1 The General Manager may terminate water and sewer service to the premises of a tenant who has agreed to accept responsibility for payment of water and sewer services charges individually or with a tenant association when th…

499 DEFINITIONS 499.1 When used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed: Authority - the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority or its lawful agent, successor in interest or designee. Comparable periods - (a) No change in occupanc…

4000 NOTICE OF PROPOSED RATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC HEARING 4000.1 Except as provided in §6(c) of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 5006; D.C. Code §1-1506(c)), before establishing or changing a retail rate for the provision of …

4001 PUBLIC HEARING 4001.1 The public hearing, required by §216 of the Act, may conducted as an agenda item at a Board meeting, or as a separate hearing. 4001.2 The hearing shall be conducted not earlier than ten (10) days after publication of the notice specified in §4000 of thi…

4002 ADOPTION OF RETAIL RATE 4002.1 Following the completion of the hearing and the comment period specified in the Board's notice of proposed ratemaking, a rate may be established or adjusted by a majority vote of all of the District members at a Board meeting. 4002.2 An approve…

4099 DEFINITIONS 4099.1 When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed: Act - the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-111; D.C. Code T…

4100 RATES FOR WATER SERVICE 4100.1 The retail rate for unmetered water service for building construction shall be Eight Dollars and Fifty-Two Cents ($8.52) for each one thousand (1,000) bricks and Four Dollars and Twenty-Six Cents ($4.26) for each cubic yard of concrete, with a …

4101 RATES AND CHARGES FOR SEWER SERVICE 4101.1 (a) The retail rates for sanitary sewer service for each one hundred cubic feet (1 Ccf) of water use shall be as follows: Effective October 1, 2024 Effective October 1, 2025 Customer Per Ccf of water use Per 1,000 Gals. of water use…

4102 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 4102.1 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PLUS (CAP+) Participation in the Customer Assistance Program Plus (CAP+) shall be limited to a single-family or individually-metered Residential Customer that meets the following eligibility requirements: The ap…

4103 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE FEE Effective October 1, 2024, the District of Columbia shall be charged the Fire Protection Service Fee (Fee) of Seventeen Million Five Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($17,575,000) each fiscal year for fire protection service, including, but n…

4104 CUSTOMER CLASSIFICATIONS FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES, FEES AND CHARGES 4104.1 The customer classifications for water and sewer rates, fees and charges shall consist of a residential class, multi-family class, and a non-residential class: (a) Residential – a customer whose prem…

4105 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEAN RIVERS IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA CHARGE INCENTIVE DISCOUNT PROGRAM: PURPOSE 4105.1 The purposes of Sections 4105 through 4109 are to: Implement the District of Columbia Clean Rivers Impervious Surface Area Charge Incentive Program; Provide an incenti…

4106 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEAN RIVERS IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA CHARGE INCENTIVE DISCOUNT PROGRAM: ELIGIBILITY 4106.1 Each DC Water customer that is billed for the Clean Rivers Impervious Surface Area Charge (IAC) pursuant to Section 4101 of this chapter shall be eligible to recei…

4107 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEAN RIVERS IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA CHARGE INCENTIVE DISCOUNT PROGRAM: DISCOUNT CALCULATION 4107.1 The IAC Incentive Discount shall not exceed the maximum allowable IAC Incentive Discount percentage, which shall be twenty percent (20%) of the otherwise …

4108 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEAN RIVERS IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA CHARGE INCENTIVE DISCOUNT PROGRAM: DISCOUNT REDUCTION 4108.1 If DDOE determines that a customer’s stormwater fee discount shall be reduced, DC Water shall reduce the IAC Incentive Discount proportionately upon receipt…

4109 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEAN RIVERS IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA CHARGE INCENTIVE DISCOUNT PROGRAM: ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS AND JUDICIAL REVIEW 4109.1 Any appeals related to a DDOE action regarding BMP application review or approval, eligibility, and stormwater retention volume calc…

4199 DEFINITIONS 4199.1 When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed: Best Management Practice (BMP) - Structural or nonstructural practice that minimizes the impact of stormwater runoff on receiving waterbodies and other environment…

500 GENERAL PROVISIONS 500.1 The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all sources of pollution affecting the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and their tributaries within the District of Columbia (the District) including pollution carried by stormwater runoff, discharges…