There is
never a charge for crews from Hastings Utilities to check for
natural gas leaks or to test for possible levels of carbon monoxide
buildups. Those services are always provided free of charge.
However, there are charges when personnel from HU respond to other
types inquiries.
For example, if a customer calls about the loss
of electrical service, there may be a service charge associated with
dispatching HU personnel to the scene. Perhaps a limb has fallen
across wires pulling them loose from the residence. If the cause of
the outage is related to the customer's circuit breaker panel or
service line etc. a charge occurs. If the cause of the outage is
related to the distribution lines or equipment operated by HU
(transformers, fuses, etc.) there is no charge assessed.
Similarly, certain events related to other
services provided by HU have a service charge associated with them.
As mentioned, there is never a charge to check for a gas leak or a
possible buildup of carbon monoxide. However, if crews from HU are
dispatched to provide services such as lighting a pilot light on a
furnace or water heater, there is a charge for those services.
There is no charge to respond to virtually any
water leak. If a water meter, fire hydrant, water main or
residential service line is leaking, no charge to the customer
occurs to determine the source of the leak. However, if HU is asked
to operate the service line stopbox so that repairs can be made to
internal plumbing or to stop leaks that may be entering the home's
basement, a charge is made.
There is never a charge to determine if the
sanitary sewer mains operated by Hastings Utilities are plugged and
causing sewage to backup in a residence or business. If the sewer
system is privately owned, for example a trailer court, the property
owner is charged if the problem is determined to be within the
privately owned sewer system.
There is no charge to check for accuracy of a
meter reading for billing purposes. However, a service charge is
made to dispatch a meter reader to reconnect service when service
has been denied for non-payment.
What are the
charges associated with service calls?
Effective June 1, 2004, the following are the
minimum rates that apply to service charges billed to customers.
During regular working hours (8:00AM to NOON and
1:00PM to 5:00PM)...................$30.00
On weekends, holidays, after 5:00PM or during
NOON to 1:00PM................................$45.00
In addition, any truck and/or equipment expenses
will also be charged. Respones outside the corporate limits of
Hastings will be billed at the man-hour rate for employee time plus
truck and equipment expenses.
Should customers have any questions about any of
these situations or matters, do not hesitate to contact Hastings
Utilities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 463-1371
