Elk Grove Water Service

Review: I have purchased the property located @ [redacted] in a foreclosure auction back in April 2014. The property has been vacant that point forward. The water company never turned off the water service until 9/23/2014. This came to my attention after they left a note on my door. They have been billing until this time on the previous owner's name & on his account. Water have not been used at all on the property as it is vacant and the property neither have sprinkler system for the lawn either. I got an offer on the property and the proposed buyers would like to have inspection done on the property. For it requires water turned on. When we called to turn on the water they are making me responsible for the water bill for all the time I had ownership. They never know that there is change in ownership until called them.I believe that I am not responsible for any of the bill until I requested to have service turned on my name. It is the responsibility of the prior owner or the water company to turn off the water service on time. How would I call & cancel somebody's service? I don't want service to get it transferred either. When I spoke with the Customer representative 'Lee', she never tried to resolve the issue and kept on arguing with me that I am responsible for it. The manager '[redacted]' also never agreed with me. She raiser her voice against me and told what she has to tell with attitude. When I am trying to make some sense she hung up on me while I am speaking.If SMUD or PG&E forgot to turn off the service, they cannot come and make me responsible for their mistake. Similarly Elk Grove Water Service. How are they superior?My Account Number [redacted]Prior Owner Account Number [redacted]Desired Settlement: All I need is remove charges from before which were initially billed on prior owner's name. Make me only responsible from the time I requested service.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] purchased [redacted]. The Elk Grove Water Districts Ordinance NO. 06.22.11.01 Section 2.8 Water Used without Application states “A person who takes possession of Premises and uses water without applying for Water Service is Liable for all the costs of the water delivered from the date of the last recorded meter reading. If proper application for service is not made within five calendar days after notification to do so by the Manager or if accumulated bills for Water Service are not paid upon presentation, Water Service shall be discontinued without further notice.”; and Ordinance 06.26.13.01 Section 3.1 “Monthly Base Rate. Billing for water service includes a monthly base rate charge that funds maintenance, operations and other expenses to Elk Grove Water District necessary to the treatment and distribution of water. It also covers the delivery of water to the public fire hydrants. These charges are due regardless of whether any water is actually used.” In this case, we received no notification from Mr. [redacted], nor the prior owner of the property transaction. Mr. [redacted] called when water was turned off in September 2014 due to nonpayment. The District was not notified of the purchase until the water service had been disconnected. Mr. [redacted] is responsible for all charges incurred as of purchase date.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] purchased [redacted]. The Elk Grove Water Districts Ordinance NO. 06.22.11.01 Section 2.8 Water Used without Application states “A person who takes possession of Premises and uses water without applying for Water Service is Liable for all the costs of the water delivered from the date of the last recorded meter reading. If proper application for service is not made within five calendar days after notification to do so by the Manager or if accumulated bills for Water Service are not paid upon presentation, Water Service shall be discontinued without further notice.”; and Ordinance 06.26.13.01 Section 3.1 “Monthly Base Rate. Billing for water service includes a monthly base rate charge that funds maintenance, operations and other expenses to Elk Grove Water District necessary to the treatment and distribution of water. It also covers the delivery of water to the public fire hydrants. These charges are due regardless of whether any water is actually used.” In this case, we received no notification from Mr. [redacted], nor the prior owner of the property transaction. Mr. [redacted] called when water was turned off in September 2014 due to nonpayment. The District was not notified of the purchase until the water service had been disconnected. Mr. [redacted] is responsible for all charges incurred as of purchase date.