The City of Mesquite will provide a billing adjustment to customers in response to the winter storm in February that triggered an increase in the amount of water many people used.
"What we are finding is residents incurred excessive water usage during the crisis," said City Manager Cliff Keheley. "Before the storm, we encouraged our customers to drip their water lines to help avoid freezes." Many residents followed through on that advice, but city officials do not want them to face "sticker shock" because of their bills for February.
The Mesquite City Council voted to allow the city's water utility to compare the amount that customers used in January and February and automatically charge them based on the lesser amount. Customers do not need to take any action to receive the lower bill.
"This credit will help ease the shock of a bill that is the result of excessive water use beyond the control of our customers," said Keheley.
Customers who experienced a water line break because of frozen pipes can contact the Mesquite's Water Billing Office at 972-216-6208 to pursue a Leak Adjustment Request. Customers can either receive the benefit of a leak adjustment or comparison usage.
