Summerside sets conditions for shutting off utilities

At least three notices before service is cut, says new policy

Image | Hydro smart meters

Caption: Customers who make an effort at payment will probably not have services cut. (CBC)

Summerside, P.E.I., now has a clear policy for when it can turn off water and electricity to residents in the city.
Council passed the motion approving the new policy at its meeting Tuesday night.
Customers in arrears will receive a computer-generated notice beginning the month after the bill is due. The notices will escalate over the next three months, finally resulting in disconnection or legal action.
There are three levels of notice: at the first two levels that customer is given 14 days to make arrangements and on the third the account is sent to the potential disconnection list.
A variety of factors will go into deciding if utilities will be cut.
Generally, service can be cut if customers do not respond to notices, or has failed to keep up with previously arranged payment arrangements.