Public Service Commission

103-515. Accidents. Each utility shall, as soon as possible, report by telephone to the ORS each accident happening in connection with the operation of its property, facilities, or service, wherein any person shall have been killed or seriously injured or whereby any serious prop…

103-516. Complaints. Complaints by customers concerning the charges, practices, facilities or services of the utility shall be investigated promptly and thoroughly. Each utility shall keep a record of all such complaints received, which record shall show the name and address of t…

103-517. Accounting Procedures. All books and records of the utility shall be maintained in accordance with the NARUC Uniform System of Accounts for Class A, B and C Sewerage Utilities to the extent applicable. Such records must be made available for examination by the ORS or its…

103-52. General Rule. All rules and regulations herein prescribed as applying to railroads are to be regarded as applying, with equal force and effect, to express companies doing business in this State: provided, such application is practicable and does not conflict with the laws…

103-520. Change in Character of Service. In order that the utility may provide a proper service facility, the customer shall advise the utility of expected service requirements sufficiently in advance of the time service is required and shall also advise the utility of any signif…

103-53. Posting Schedules. All express companies in South Carolina are required to file with the Commission, to print and keep posted at each of their offices in this State, schedules of rates, classification and charges for the carrying of freight, which shall be opened during o…

103-530. Customer Information. Each utility shall: A. Maintain up-to-date maps, plans, or records of its entire force main collection systems, with such other information as may be necessary to enable the utility to advise prospective customers, and others entitled to the informa…

103-531. Customer Deposits. Each utility may require from any customer or from any prospective customer, a deposit intended to guarantee payment of bills for service, if any of the following conditions exist: (a) The customer’s past payment record to a sewerage utility shows deli…

103-531.1. Amount of Deposit. A. A maximum deposit may be required up to an amount equal to an estimated two (2) months (60 days) bill for a new customer or a maximum deposit may be required up to an amount equal to the total actual bills of the highest two (2) consecutive months…

103-531.2. Interest on Deposits. A. Simple interest on deposits at the rate as determined by commission Order shall be paid by the utility to each customer required to make such deposit for the time it is held by the utility, provided that no interest need be paid unless the depo…

103-531.3. Deposit Records. Each utility shall keep a record to show: (a) The name and address of each depositor; (b) The amount and date of the deposit; and (c) Each transaction concerning the deposits.

103-531.4. Deposit Receipt. Each utility shall issue a receipt of deposit to each customer from whom a deposit is received, and shall provide means whereby a depositor may establish the customer’s claim if the customer’s receipt is lost.

103-531.5. Deposit Retention. Deposits shall be refunded completely with interest after two years unless the customer has had two consecutive 30-day arrearages or more than two non-consecutive 30-day arrearages in the past 24 months.

103-531.6. Unclaimed Deposits. A record of each unclaimed deposit must be maintained for at least one year during which time the sewerage utility shall make a reasonable effort to return the deposit. Unclaimed deposits, together with accrued interest, shall be turned over to the …

103-531.7. Deposit Credit Where a customer has been required to make a deposit, this shall not relieve the customer of the obligation to pay the service bills when due. Where such deposit has been made and service has been discontinued for reason of nonpayment of bill, a utility …

103-532. Customer Billing. The utility shall bill each customer as promptly as possible and render a receipt of payment upon request.

103-532.1. Customer Bill Forms The bill shall show: (a) The gross and/or net amount of the bill; (b) Person to whom bill is sent; (c) Dates for which bill is rendered; (d) The applicable rate schedule, or identification of the rate schedule. If the actual rates are not shown, the…

103-532.2. Late Payment Charges. A maximum of one and one-half percent (1 and 1/2%) may be added to any unpaid balance not paid within 25 days of the billing date to cover the cost of collection and carrying accounts in arrears. This method of late-payment charge will be made in …

103-532.3. Payment by Check. The utility at its option for good cause may refuse to accept a check tendered as payment on a customer’s account and require payment in cash or other certified funds. Good cause must be justified by a sewerage utility by evidencing a credit history p…

103-532.4. Charges for Disconnection and Reconnection. Whenever service is disconnected for violation of rules and regulations, nonpayment of bills or fraudulent use of service, or at the request of the customer the utility shall not be required to reconnect such service until an…

103-532.5. Deferred Payment Plan. The utility shall provide for the arrangement of a deferred payment plan to enable a residential customer to make payment by installments where such customer is unable to pay the amount due for service. The deferred payment plan shall require the…

103-533. Adjustment of Bills. If it is found that a utility has directly or indirectly, by any device whatsoever, demanded, charged, collected or received from any customer a greater or lesser compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by such utility than that presc…

103-534. Application for Service. A. All applications for sewerage service may be made orally or in writing. B. The accepted application shall constitute a contract between the company and the applicant, obligating the applicant to pay for sewerage service in accordance with the …

103-535. Denial or Discontinuance of Service. Service may be refused or discontinued for any of the reasons listed below. Unless otherwise stated, the customer shall be allowed a reasonable time in which to comply with the rule before service is discontinued. A. Without notice in…

103-535.1. Notice Prior to Discontinuance of Service. A. Before any sewerage service may be discontinued, the utility must give thirty (30) days written notice to the customer, by certified mail, verified email, or hand delivered by staff/process server unless R.103-535.A is appl…

103-536. Insufficient Reasons for Denying Service. The following shall not constitute sufficient cause for refusal of service to a present or prospective customer. A. Non-payment for service by a previous occupant of the premises to be served, unless such previous occupant shall …

103-537. Right of Access. A. The authorized agents of the utility shall have the right of access to the customer’s premises, at reasonable hours, for the purpose of inspecting the customer’s sewerage connections and for any other purpose which is proper and necessary in the condu…

103-538. Customer Complaints. A. Complaints concerning the charges, practices, facilities, or service of the utility shall be investigated promptly and thoroughly. The utility shall keep such records of customer complaints as will enable it and ORS to review and analyze the utili…

103-539. Tariff’s Rules and Regulations. A copy of the utility’s tariffs as filed with this commission and provided to the ORS will be on file in the local business offices of the utility and shall be available for public inspection. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 31, …

103-54. Changes in Rates and Classification. No change in express rates or classification shall be made until thirty (30) days’ notice of such change has been filed or posted at all express offices or agencies in this State, and not until thirty (30) days’ notice has been given t…

103-540. System Which Utility Must Maintain. Each utility, unless specifically relieved in any case by the commission from such obligation, shall operate and maintain in safe, efficient and proper conditions of all of its facilities and equipment used in connection with the servi…

103-541. Contracts. No utility shall execute or enter into any agreement or contract with any person, firm, partnership, or corporation or any agency of the Federal, State or local government which would impact, pertain to, or effect said utility’s fitness, willingness, or abilit…

103-55. Accidents. All express companies in South Carolina are required to comply with § 58-47-3440, S. C. Code 1976, ‘‘Giving notice of accidents,’’ and 103-13 of the Public Service Commission, ‘‘Accidents.’’ SUBARTICLE 2 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE IN PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING COMMON CA…

103-550. Good Engineering Practice. The sewerage plant of the utility shall be constructed, installed, maintained and operated in accordance with accepted good engineering practice to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of service, uniformity in the quality of servi…

103-551. Design and Construction Requirements The design and construction of the sewerage plant shall conform to the requirements of the Bureau of Water of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 31, Issue No. 5…

103-552. Acceptable Standards. Unless otherwise specified by the commission, each utility shall use the guidelines of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as minimum standards of good engineer- ing practices. HISTORY: Amended by SCSR 48-5 Doc. No. 518…

103-553. Adequacy of Sewerage Plant. The capacity of the utility’s plant for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of sewage, sewage effluent and other removed substances must be sufficiently large to meet all normal demands for service and provide a reasonable res…

103-554. Inspection of Sewerage Plant. Each utility must adopt a program of regular inspection of its sewerage plant in order to determine the necessity for replacement and repair. The frequency of the various inspections shall be based on the utility’s experience and accepted go…

103-555. Service Pipe Connections. A. Utility’s Service Pipe—The utility shall install and maintain that portion of the service pipe from the main to the boundary line of the property being served, public road, or street under which such main may be located. The connection of the…

103-556. Engineering Analysis. A. The ORS may survey anticipated extensions of sewer lines and the utility will assist in such survey and provide all pertinent data necessary to determine the cost and feasibility of extending such lines. B. The utility shall provide the ORS acces…

103-560. Utility Inspection and Test. A. Each utility shall adopt a program of periodic tests, inspections, and preventive maintenance designed to achieve and maintain efficient operation of its system and the rendition of safe, adequate and continuous service. B. Each utility sh…

103-561. ORS Inspection and Test. When tests are conducted by the ORS, to insure that, or determine if, the provisions of these rules are being adhered to, each utility shall assist with such tests as requested, provided such request is in accordance with all legal requirements a…

103-562. Testing Facilities. Each utility shall make such tests as are prescribed under these rules with such frequency and in such manner and at such places as is herewith provided or as requested by ORS or as may be approved or ordered by the commission. HISTORY: Amended by Sta…

103-563. Trouble Reports. A. Each utility shall provide for the receipt of customer trouble reports at all hours and make a full and prompt investigation of all complaints. Each utility shall maintain an accurate record of trouble reports made by its customers. This record shall …

103-564. Maintenance of Plant and Equipment. A. Each sewerage utility shall adopt and pursue a maintenance program aimed at achieving and maintaining efficient operation of its system so as to permit the rendering of safe, adequate and continuous service at all times. B. Maintena…

103-570. Quality of Service. A. Each utility shall provide sewerage service insofar as practicable free from objectionable odors. Each utility must have a permit as required by the health laws of the State of South Carolina, and shall comply with all laws and regulations of State…

103-571. Interruptions of Service. A. Each utility shall make reasonable efforts to avoid interruptions of service, but when such interruptions occur, service shall be re-established within the shortest time practicable, consistent with considerations of safety. B. Scheduled inte…