District of Columbia · Through 2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)

D.C. Code § 34-2407.01: Discontinuance of water service for failure to pay water charges.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on March 27, 2027. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a)
(1)
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority ("Authority"), established pursuant to § 34-2202.02(a), may provide for the collection of water charges, in advance or otherwise, from the owner or occupant of any building, property, or other location furnished water or water service by the District.
(2)
The Authority may shut off the water supply to any such building, property, or other location upon failure of the owner or occupant thereof to pay such water charges within 30 days from the date of rendition of the bill therefor, regardless of any change in ownership or occupancy of such building, property, or other location.

(b)
(1)
If the Authority has shut off the water supply to any property for failure to pay District water and sanitary sewer service charges, it shall be unlawful for any person to restore the water supply without the express authorization of the Authority.
(2)
The Authority shall impose a fine in an amount not less than 20% of the delinquent charges or more than $100, whichever is greater, upon the owner or occupant of the property, unless the Authority determines that the owner or occupant did not restore or solicit a person to restore the water.

(c)
The Authority shall submit on the 7th day of each month, the following information to the Council, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the People's Counsel, and the Office of the Tenant Advocate for the preceding month:
(1)
The number of properties that received a notice of disconnection;
(2)
Of those properties that were issued a notice, the number of properties that experienced a disconnection;
(3)
Of those properties that experienced a disconnection, the number of properties that had service restored;
(4)
The number of properties that entered into a payment plan;
(5)
The number of properties that have had bill payment assumed by the tenants through a tenant association; and
(6)
The number of properties that have been placed in receivership.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 34. Public Utilities.
Chapter 24. Water Supply, Assessments, and Rates.
Subchapter IV. Discontinuance of Service.

(a)

(1)

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority ("Authority"), established pursuant to § 34-2202.02(a), may provide for the collection of water charges, in advance or otherwise, from the owner or occupant of any building, property, or other location furnished water or water service by the District.

(2)

The Authority may shut off the water supply to any such building, property, or other location upon failure of the owner or occupant thereof to pay such water charges within 30 days from the date of rendition of the bill therefor, regardless of any change in ownership or occupancy of such building, property, or other location.

(b)

(1)

If the Authority has shut off the water supply to any property for failure to pay District water and sanitary sewer service charges, it shall be unlawful for any person to restore the water supply without the express authorization of the Authority.

(2)

The Authority shall impose a fine in an amount not less than 20% of the delinquent charges or more than $100, whichever is greater, upon the owner or occupant of the property, unless the Authority determines that the owner or occupant did not restore or solicit a person to restore the water.

(c)

The Authority shall submit on the 7th day of each month, the following information to the Council, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the People's Counsel, and the Office of the Tenant Advocate for the preceding month:

(1)

The number of properties that received a notice of disconnection;

(2)

Of those properties that were issued a notice, the number of properties that experienced a disconnection;

(3)

Of those properties that experienced a disconnection, the number of properties that had service restored;

(4)

The number of properties that entered into a payment plan;

(5)

The number of properties that have had bill payment assumed by the tenants through a tenant association; and

(6)

The number of properties that have been placed in receivership.

Collected 2026-08-29T05:44:07Z. Source file · JSON

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