Chapter 103

103-702. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in these rules and regulations, shall have the meaning indicated below:

103-702.1. Commission. The Public Service Commission of South Carolina.

103-702.10. The Office of Regulatory Staff. The executive director and employees of the Office of Regulatory Staff.

103-702.11. Premises. A piece or tract of land or real estate, including buildings and other appurtenances thereon.

103-702.12. Rate. The term ‘‘rate’’ when used in these rules and regulations means and includes every compensa- tion, charge, toll, rental, classification, or availability fee, or any of them, including tap fees, or other non-recurring charges demanded, observed, charged, or coll…

103-702.13. Tap Fee. A non-recurring, non-refundable charge related to connecting the customer to the utility’s system which includes the cost of installing the utility’s service line from the main to the customer’s premises and a portion of plant capacity which will be used to p…

103-702.14. Utility. Every person, firm, partnership, association, establishment or corporation furnishing or supplying in any manner water to the public, or any portion thereof, for compensation. A ‘‘homeowners association’’, as defined in these rules and regulations and subject…

103-702.15. Utility Service Line. The portion of the distribution line that transports water from a main to a meter, or if there is no meter, up to and including the curb stop.

103-702.16. Water Plant. All facilities owned by the utility for the collection, production, purification, storage, transmission, metering, and distribution of potable water.

103-702.17. Local Office or Business Office. These terms mean that in the event a water utility operates a local office or business office set forth in this article, then the water utility shall comply with the requirements of the section or subsection of the regulation addressin…

103-702.18. Mail. The term ‘‘mail’’ means a communication sent by U.S. Mail or the notice method selected by the water utility customer and maintained in the customer’s records at the water utility.

103-702.19. Municipality. ‘‘Municipality’’ includes a city, town, county, township, and any other corporation existing, created or organized as a governmental unit under the Constitution and laws of this State. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 14, Issue No. 3, eff March …

103-702.2. Curb Stop. Valve controlling water flow located on the utility service line. Curb stops are for the exclusive use of the utility for control of the water supply to individual customers and should be located at or adjacent to the customer’s property line but should not …

103-702.3. Customer. Any person, firm, partnership or corporation, or any agency of the Federal, State or Local Government, being supplied with service by a utility under the jurisdiction of this commission. Customers shall be classified for purposes of applying rates as ‘‘reside…

103-702.4. Customer Contribution in Aid of Construction. A fee paid by a customer under a contract entered into by and between the utility and its customers providing terms for the extension of the utility’s mains to serve the customer.

103-702.5. Customer Service Line. The portion of the distribution line that transports water from the meter, to the place of consumption on the customer’s premises, or, if there is no meter, from the curb stop to the place of consumption on the customer’s premises.

103-702.6. Error in Registration. The percentage by which the correct registration varies from the meter registration. The error is derived by stopping the meter test hand at the starting point and then determining the percentage variation in registration as indicated by the work…

103-702.7. Homeowners Association. An association of lot owners located in a particular subdivision or development incorporated under the laws of this state as a non-profit corporation, including as one of its purposes, the operation of a water system to serve the particular subd…

103-702.8. Main. A water pipe owned, operated or maintained, by a utility, which is used for the purpose of transmission or distribution of water, but does not include the ‘‘utility service line’’ or ‘‘customer service line’’.

103-702.9. Meter. Any device, or instrument, which is used by a utility in measuring a quantity of water for billing purposes. The meter will be the property of, and will be maintained by, the utility.

103-703. Authorization for Rates and Charges. A. No schedule of rates, contracts, or rules and regulations, shall be changed until after the proposed change has been approved by the commission. B. All rates, contract forms, or rules and regulations, proposed to be put into effect…

103-704. Territory and Certificates. No existing public utility supplying water to the public, or any individual, corporation, partnership, association, establishment or firm undertaking the construction or acquisition of a utility, shall hereafter sell, acquire, transfer, begin …

103-705. Utilities Rules and Regulations. Each utility shall adopt rules, regulations, operation procedure policies, terms and conditions, etc., as may be necessary in the operation of the utility. Such service ‘‘conditions or regulations’’ shall be approved by and filed with the…

103-706. Security Issues. A. No utility shall issue any securities without the approval of the commission. This rule shall not apply to any issue of securities payable within one year from the date of issue, except in case of subsequent issues made to refund short term obligation…

103-710. Location of Records and Reports. All records required by these rules are necessary for the administration thereof, shall be available for inspection in this state, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the commission. These records shall be available for examinatio…

103-711. Retention of Records. Unless otherwise specified by the commission, or by regulations or commission Orders governing specific activities, all records required by these rules shall be preserved according to the most current edition of Regulations to Govern the Preservatio…

103-712. Data to be Filed with the Commission and Provided to the ORS. 1. Annual Report. Each utility operating in the State shall file an annual report with the commission and provide a copy to the ORS giving accounting, and other information as the commission directs. The commi…

103-713. Inspection of Plant and Equipment. A. Each utility shall, upon request of the ORS, provide to the ORS a statement regarding the condition and adequacy of its plant, equipment, facilities, and service in such form as the commission may require or as the ORS may request. B…

103-714. Interruption of Service. A. Each utility shall keep a record of any condition resulting in any interruption of service affecting its entire system or major division thereof, or any single community or an important division of a community, including a statement of the tim…

103-715. Accidents. Each utility shall, as soon as possible, report 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 property damage s…

103-716. 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 …

103-717. Meter History Records. Each utility shall maintain records of the following data, where applicable, for each meter until retirement: A. The complete identification-manufacturer, number, type, size, capacity, multiplier, and con- stants. B. The dates of installation and r…

103-720. Meter Requirements. Service shall be measured by meters furnished by the utility, unless otherwise ordered by the commission and such meters shall maintain the degree of accuracy as set forth in 103-722. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 31, Issue No. 5, eff May …

103-721. Meter Readings. Each water meter shall indicate clearly the unit of water registered by such meter. Where the quantity of water is determined by calculation from recording devices, the utility shall supply the consumer with such information as will make clear the method …

103-725. Change in Character of Service. In order that the utility may provide a proper service facility and metering installation the customer shall advise the utility of the expected service requirements sufficiently in advance of the date service is required, and shall also ad…

103-730. Customer Information. Each utility shall: A. Maintain up-to-date maps, plans, or records of its entire transmission and distribution systems, with such other information as may be necessary to enable the utility to advise prospective customers, and others entitled to the…

103-731. 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 water utility shows delinqu…

103-731.1. 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…

103-731.2. 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…

103-731.3. 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.

103-731.4. 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 his claim if his receipt is lost.

103-731.5. 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.

103-731.6. Unclaimed Deposits. A record of each unclaimed deposit must be maintained for at least one year during which time the water utility shall make a reasonable effort to return the deposit. Unclaimed deposits, together with accrued interest, shall be turned over to the Sou…

103-731.7. 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 non-payment of bill, a utilit…

103-732. Customer Billing. The utility shall bill each customer as promptly as possible following the reading of the customer’s meter and render a receipt of payment upon request.

103-732.1. New Service. Meters shall be read at the initiation and termination of any service and billing shall be based thereon.

103-732.2. Customer Bill Forms. The bill shall show: (a) The reading of the meter at the end and beginning of the period for which the bill is rendered; (b) The date on which the meter was read; (c) The number and kind of units metered; (d) The applicable rate, schedule, or ident…

103-732.3. Late Payment Charges. A maximum of one and one-half percent (1 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 lieu…

103-732.4. 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 water utility by evidencing a credit history pro…

103-732.5. Charges for Discontinuance and Reconnection. Whenever service is turned off for violation of rules and regulations, nonpayment of bills, or fraudulent use of service, or at the request of the customer, the utility may make reasonable charges to be approved by the commi…