Contact: Jeff Kimel
Phone: (336) 373-2639

Water Bill Distribution Phases to Monthly Mailings

GREENSBORO, NC -- (March 10, 2008) – For many years, the majority of City of Greensboro water, sewer, hazardous waste and stormwater customers have received only four utility bills a year -- one each quarter. Now, with the City's recent shift to Automated Meter Reading (AMR), the City can begin sending monthly bills, a move that demonstrates the Water Resources Department's commitment to customer service.

Monthly water and sewer bills can provide frequent, timely feedback for customers about their water consumption -- information that is vital during times of drought. In the past, a leak may not have been detected until the end of a customer's three-month billing cycle and, as a result, the customer would end up paying for a leak for three months rather than only one month.

In addition, monthly billing makes it easier for customers to budget for water and sewer costs.
"Monthly billing puts us in line with all other utilities that send monthly bills," said Jeff Kimel, manager of Water Resources' Customer Service Division. "It definitely will make it easier for people to budget this expense every month rather than getting a larger bill every three months."

Quarterly stormwater and household hazard/dumpster charges are billed in advance; water and sewer consumption charges are billed on past usage. Therefore, monthly stormwater and household hazard/dumpster charges will be reduced by one-third the billing before the monthly water and sewer consumption charges start.

When monthly billing begins for water and sewer consumption charges, billing and availability rates will be reduced by one-third. Water consumption tiers, which are based on increased usage, will also be reduced by one-third. The process of changing all Greensboro customers to monthly billing is expected to continue through the end of 2008. Monthly billing will begin in mid-March for customers in Billing District 2 (the southern side of Greensboro – cycles 21-28).

The next phase of monthly billing will start in October with Billing District 3 (the north / northeast side of the city – cycles 31-38), and the final phase of monthly billing is scheduled to begin by the end of 2008 or early in 2009 in Billing District 1 (the northwest area of the city – cycles 11-18).
To find out when your billing cycle will change, call 373-CITY (2489).

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.